Chapter 2: Dauntless
A man looks through a window at his city, while he sips from a glass of alcohol.
While sipping from a glass of alcohol, a man gazes at his city through a window.
Then someone opens the door to his office.
"Boss," the man said as he closed the door.
He turns his chair to face him, "Connor, what brings you here?"
"Negotiation." Connor replied.
"Of course," he whispered. "Want a drink?"
"I'm good boss."
"I see." He spins his chair to the window again. "Do me a favor and turn on the TV."
"Alright." Connor grabs the remote on his boss's desk. "Any specific channel?"
"Just put on the news!"
Connor does as he's told, pointing the control at the TV that hangs on the wall. After finding the news channel for his boss, the latest reports are shown on TV.
"2 weeks ever since the appearance of spider-man, reports have come out that criminal activity has gone down, in fact, many operations of drugs and human trafficking have come to an end thanks to him, or at least that's what a few people claim-"
He stands up. "Fuck TV, turn it off!" He grabs the remote and throws it at the TV, smashing it on impact.
"Listen, boss, that wanna be hero keeps getting in the middle of our plans-"
"Oh, really like if my loss of money and men have not made me realize it yet!" he hissed.
"Sorry…but we gotta do something."
"I know that, I know, but I've got a plan."
"What are you thinking of?"
"...let's just say it involves you!"
Connor's eyes go wide, but smiles at the end.
A rooftop corner was my perch as I viewed the city below became my focus. In the last few days, I've tried to demonstrate my values to everyone; I don't know if it has worked so far, but I'm doing my best.
My suit has all the damages to prove it. I have tears from top to bottom, and I try my best to keep it together with duct tape because that's the best I thought of.
Suddenly, a billboard near me shows the news channel. I just stared blankly at the screen.
"On today's news, information: the Man-Bat case still keeps people intrigued, and the little information we have says that Man-Bat is still being studied by scientists to try and figure out just what this creature is exactly-"
"I don't know…maybe a mutant…or a superhuman, both terms sound cool." I said.
"For Spider-Man, we're unsure exactly what the authorities plan for him since technically many witnesses have spoken positively about him."
"Why does this sound too good to be true?" I stare up.
"However, authorities do realize the amount of laws he has broken to achieve his quote on quote justice, as well as still being related to the Man-Bat case and a few people claim his whole involvement with the corpses in the abandon building where Man-Bat was found, so the orders of bringing him in for questioning are official…"
"Oh, there it is." I lower my head.
Proceed to leave my backpack on the side of the roof. "The day is still young, you gotta enjoy the daylight, Pete."
I leap from the building and begin to swing. My patrol has started.
Someone in a parking lot tries to force a car door open.
Webbed his hand to the door. And he's startled by it.
I land on top of the car. "Hey, something tells me this isn't your car."
"Spider!" He shouts.
I shoot a web line at his head and pull it, so he hits the car. He falls and starts to rub his head.
"That's all from me." I flip off the car. "And, oh, you forgot the man after spider."
Took a small jump and resumed swinging.
A man just finished robbing a store. He was sprinting and pushing the people in his way.
I land right in front of him, which made him stop in his tracks.
"Hey, bud, how are you?" I web his chest, connecting him with the web line that I use to drop, pulling him up and leaving him hanging. "But guess what, I don't care.
I pick up the money bag. "On the other hand, people do care about you, too much it's dangerous actually."
I swing high in the air, so I can catch what I was after.
Once I had it, I go back down to talk to a kid
"Here's your balloon, kiddo," I said.
"Thank you!" he replied.
"Don't mention it."
Police sirens sound as loud as they can, going through the main highway. Even more work, huh.
"And that's my cue, bye kid."
I swing away to follow the cops.
I sat on the fire escape of a building, just taking a rest. Everything has been easy today, too easy, actually.
"Maybe I should head home, nighttime is approaching." I swing my way home. "Besides, school is still a pain in the ass."
Got to my place and entered through my room's window, knowing my parents aren't home yet. "Home sweet home."
Changed to my normal clothes and put the suit in a box, then placed it in my closet.
I knew homework was the next thing I had to do, so I put my hands to it. No more procrastination this week.
[3 hours later]
I close my text book and let out a yawn. "I hate math." rub my eyes and stare out the window. "I should probably go out once more…but I should also look after myself. I haven't slept well in a long, long time." Laid my head on the desk and before I could let my consciousness fade away, I set my alarm clock to 9 pm with a radio channel to sound as predetermined, so if anything happens I'll be up-to-date. So I close my eyes, falling asleep almost instantly.
The sun was already hiding and now it disappeared. It was the moon's turn to shine.
In the city a truck stops in the middle of the highway causing a ruckus for everyone.
"Remember ladies, the boss said to make as much noise as possible, understood." the driver said.
Everyone in the back nodded to his orders.
The person that was closest to the backdoor opens it and gets off. He faces all the people that stood on the sidewalk, as well as all the cars honking. He straightens up and draws his gun, pulling the trigger is what followed.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
It was complicated to get my eyes open. "Oh, how I hate that noise." My alarm clock stops beeping and the radio is activated.
"Reports of many shots fired are coming from downtown…"
My eyes pop open as I sit straight.
"It is unknown to us if any civilians have gotten injured. However, it's logical to assume it-" I turn it off.
"You're unfortunately right!" I hissed.
I open the door of my room, and take a glimpse from both sides. No one's home yet.
Went to open my closet and grab the suit. What matters now is to stop this. I slide the mask on.
At center city
The cops come under fire and rely on their vehicles as cover, due to the goons having the bigger guns.
"Listen up, we need back up." a bullet takes down the wing mirror on his car. "Immediately." The cop shouts.
Then a shadow moves on top of him. He stares up to see what it was. "My, my"
One of the goons speaks up, "Sir, I'm starting to think he's not gonna-" His weapon was yanked away. But not only his, his crew as well.
I shot webs at each one of their weapons to disarm them. When I had the guns, I tossed them away and webbed them to the nearest wall.
Landed in front of them. "Alright, you can answer me how many people you got injured and that will make me decide how I'm gonna handle this, so speak up."
They didn't say a word.
"Oh come on, work with me here," I shout.
The man in front of everyone gives me a smirk, then he puts his fingers on his ear, "he's here," he whispered.
The vibrations are back. It gets me
"Well, Spider-Man We're going to leave now and good luck, although I don't think it's necessary, we'll never see each other again, at least alive of course." his crew head back to the truck.
My head hurts at this point. "Just what the hell do you mean?"
"Spider-Man," a cop screamed behind me.
As I turn, I sense the floor moving. "Huh." I look down and it was an instant reaction to just step back and stand an inch away from the manhole, apparently the manhole cover was shot into the air.
My eyes were focused on the cover, then an arm came out of the sewers that grabbed my leg. "Oh, crap." I was pulled into the sewers with my head vibrating like crazy.
I hit the floor, being briefly submerged in the dirty water, making me nauseous.
When I was pulled out I felt relieved, but at the edge of throwing up.
A strong grip is placed on my neck, pushing me against the wall.
"Well, hello hero."
I shake my head to try and recover my vision to know who was talking. "Who are you?"
He lets go of my neck and covers my whole head with his hand, pushing my head into the wall, making it crack.
I put my hands on his arm trying to set free, but between the fingers of his hand there was a space where I could finally get a clear glimpse and my eyes went wide open. "What are you?"
"I bet that's not the first time you said that," he replied. "Call me… Lizard."
"Ha...haha...hahaha, oh, how creative."
"Shut up,'' he shouts. Adding more pressure to his grip.
"Aaaahhhh! Easy there, we can talk about this." I try to take his hand off.
"Pleasure meeting you, Spider-Man." He pins me down and pushes my head on the ground. He shows off his claws, "Well, not really."
He tries to cut my chest, but I grab his wrist in time. "We...can talk about this."
"Every bug dies to the animal," he growls.
I detoured his hand to hit the ground instead. Immediately fired webs at his face and manage to kick him off. Damn, he's heavy.
I get up and aim with my left hand, but the web shooter malfunctions; it releases sparks. "Screw my luck."
He rips the web off his face. Growls and throws his claws at me.
I grab his wrist, but his tail surrounds my neck, slamming me into the wall again.
With the claw on one of his fingers, he punctures my skin, and slides his finger down. I didn't feel the cut, as my head was just vibrating with pain. He stopped when he reached my chin while blood was spilling down my cheek.
He grabs the piece of cloth he cut, raises it a little and yanks it off. Practically half my face was showing.
"You know I wondered why the mask, apparently you can use your abilities without being turned into a freak!" With the same claw, he places it on my eye and pulls down my eyelid. "Privileged."
My head is vibrating thanks to him. Thought of using the web shooter on my right since it was still functional, but I had an idea of using the broken web shooter.
So, I smashed the cartridge it had, making it blow out the web.
It covers his entire head and neck. I then kick him off me, realizing me from his tail.
"I gotta get out of here," I whispered.
He gets the web off. "Stop blinding me," he shouts.
He throws a punch which I dodge easily. "Easy Lizard."
Then his claws come directly at my face, like if he wanted to grab my head, but I move fast enough instead just cuts me. "Aahhh, you little-" he grabs me by the neck and holds me up. "motherfucker." I place my hand on his face but my middle and ring finger puncture his eyes making blood splatter.
"Aaaahhhh," he screams.
With his tail, he slams me into the wall. However, I manage to grab on to his tail, he knows this, so he starts to move it everywhere.
"Piss off," he said, throwing me away, but taking his tail with me.
"Gross," I said.
When I got up, he was walking away, but his tail was already regrowing. His eyes have to cure too right, either way screw that I need to get out of here.
I get out by using the same hole I was dragged in by.
When I got out, the manhole cover was nearby, so I put it in position with my webs and web it up
"Spider-Man," someone called for me.
I turn around and it was a police officer. My mask is practically in half, so I cover my face.
"What the hell happened?" he asked.
When I faced him, I paid attention to my surroundings. Ambulances were everywhere.
"Spider?" the cop gets closer.
Untied the bandana from my elbow and tied it around the bottom part of my face.
"…if you need to investigate the sewers, then make sure to take an army with you," I said.
I spin around to scan the area. Bullet holes were left around the walls and bullet cartridges were rolling down the streets. This was a massacre.
My ears catch on to the near steps. "So, are you going to arrest me or what? Officer."
"No. Not today at least," he replied.
"I appreciate it." Took one last look at the streets. "Where are…all the bodies?"
"While you were busy down there, the ambulances arrived and attended everyone in the streets, they're actually doing so as we speak."
"That's great." Not many people got injured then.
Took another look around and the damage on the buildings were mostly bullet holes that fractured the walls and windows. Until my eyes stop on a place where the sign emitted sparks. Also, the glass from the window and door was shattered. I walk towards the place.
"Is everything ok, spider… man?"
His words faded in my head as I got closer.
When I stood outside what was left of the window, not much was noticeable, the place was dark and I couldn't distinguish some stuff.
"Fucking hell," someone spoke.
"What the?!" I lean into the building and look at my left. A man is on the floor covering his bloody shoulder, "Crap."
"Huh?" He pops open his eyes and just stares at me.
"It's ok." I step in. "I'm gonna get you out of here."
"Spider!" The officer turns on his flashlight to illuminate the place. "What's going on?"
He realizes where I'm looking, so he does the same.
"Bloody hell," the cop said.
"Took you long enough, I heard you people arrive awhile ago!" The man tries to get up. "Aaargh, just take me to a damn hospital."
"Is there something I can help you with?"
"Good, a medic, we need help getting him out of here."
"Right away officer."
As they were talking, with a glimpse of an eye, a weird shadow on my right.
While the medic and the cop lifted the man.
"Mmm, what for?" he points his flashlight where I told him. "Shit."
"Is she dead?'' The medic asked.
"Are you seriously asking me that?" The cop shouted.
The person suddenly moves their shoulder lightly, making impact on the ground.
That catches everyone's attention.
"Ok, the tourniquet is done, sir, can you stand?"
"Yeah, yeah, just get me out of here."
"We got this one, Spider-Man."
When I was told that, I immediately approached the person on the floor.
"Hey, are you alright, come on you're gonna be fine." I pull out my phone that luckily still worked, so I turned on the flashlight. A woman wearing a navy blue jacket was shot on the shoulder. "Shit, ok, it's alright."
"AAAAA!" she screamed.
"Fuck, are-are you al-alright," I stutter.
"Who-who are you?" she asked.
I point the flashlight light near her face, the blood splatter on her dark hair and was dripping on her white skin.
I took the bandana off my face and proceeded to do a tourniquet on her arm.
"Ow, what are you doing?"
"I'm sorry, but it was necessary." I web the uncovered part of my face and put my arms around her neck and legs. "And I'm going to carry you now."
"Be gentle."
"I'll try." I lift her up as quick as I can.
She clenched her teeth and made a squeaky noise as I lifted her.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
I got out of the place and hustled to an ambulance.
"Spider-Man" the medic gets a gurney. "Lay her there."
I do as told.
"We'll take it from here, just-"
There was a grip on my arm that pulled my sleeve.
"Don't go, please," she whispered.
Her eyes were at a point that at any second she would close them and not open them again. "You're gonna be fine, don't worry."
The medic as we were speaking was attending her.
I nod, "See you later."
She made a stronger grip. "Promise?"
Her emerald eyes become teary.
Always say something positive to someone in this position. "Only if you promise you'll be ok, actually screw me, promise your family." The conversation ends with an oxygen mask being put on her.
"That's enough! Help me out here." The medic said.
"Right, sorry." I move my arm away from her. She didn't have a grip anymore.
"As I said, we'll take it from here,"
I nodded.
"Oh, by the way, I would get out of here if I were you, not many cops like you!"
"Understandable."
"Good, besides we have it covered so don't worry." He pats my arm and goes into the ambulance.
"Spider!"
I turn around and the person calling for me was the same cop from before. "Officer."
"I hope everything's fine, more manpower has arrived to the spot, I don't know if you've noticed," he said.
"That's good, but you tell them to check everyday buildings that has a damn bullet hole, understood," I hiss.
"Yeah, yeah, of course…understood."
"Great," I whisper and nod.
He turns to his right. "Shit, that's my boss coming over."
I turn to where he's looking and sure enough another officer was coming our way.
"You need to get out of here now, if I know him well, he'll try to connect you with what happened here tonight."
"What?"
"You heard me, now go!"
I decide to put everything aside. To hell with it. I swing away. "Screw my life, I just want to go home."
I get to my apartment and enter through the window.
I disrobe, tossing every bit of clothing I had on.
Went to the bathroom and stared at the mirror. "You look and smell like shit, Peter." I inspect the wounds on my face. "At least your injuries are closing, that's good enough.
"For the most part." I focus on the huge cut on my chest as if three knives just slashed me.
Beep!Beep!Beep!
The alarm on my watch goes off. "Oh, shit." I turn the alarm off. I guess it took longer than I thought and I'm glad this thing is still working.
I open the door of my room. Checked both sides and couldn't see nor hear anyone, so I shouted, "Anybody… is someone home!"
Went to my parents room and it was empty. "What the?"
Ring!
I grab my phone to see who it was the contact read Mom.
"Hello," I said.
"Peter, are you ok? Are you home yet?" she asked.
"Yeah, about a while ago."
"Oh, thank god."
"Your father said he tried to reach you, but you didn't answer."
My head flashes back to being submerged in the sewer water, that probably affected my phone or there was no signal there. "Mmm, sorry, I didn't realize."
"Yeah, sure you didn't."
"Hey, I'm serious."
"Yeah, sure you are, either way we'll be home late I don't know if you found out, but there was a shooting-"
"I know… I mean, the internet is quick on picking up this sorta stuff."
"Well, it caused a lot of traffic, so see you later."
"Understood, bye."
"I love you, bye."
"Yeah, me too." I hung up and sigh, "This sucks."
I went back to the bathroom, so I could finally take a shower. Maybe the warm water will take all the stress away. Once I got in, my head flickered with everything that happened in the sewers. The goons that shot everybody just wanted my attention, the real problem was underneath.
"God," I gag. "Dammit." I throw up. "I was in shit water!"
[The next day]
Alright, class, are you all ready for the next subject?
Almost everybody said yes, but I kept my mouth shut.
As she gave the class, my head was not on point, my thoughts were simply about last night. What the hell does a giant lizard want with me? He said that it was a privilege for me to use my powers without transforming, so he was also hit by a light in the sky, that's something we have in common. Though, what would've happened if I was there sooner? I was the objective last night, not many people had to… nobody had to suffer. Now where is that gator bastard?
By the way, before I forget, I'll check everyone's homework before we go on.
The word homework was harsh for me, but I did what I was told.
"Ok, Peter, you're next." She grabs my notebook. "How was it for you?"
"I think I managed with the equations," I answered.
When she eyed my notebook, she remained quiet.
I click my tongue.
"It's all wrong."
"...What?" I asked.
"The equations, you did them wrong."
I cross my arms. "But-but I-I spent hours doing them."
"Then I'm sorry you wasted your time." She hands me the notebook.
"I just-"
"If you don't put effort in school, imagine when you're older, work harder Peter 'cause the way I see it, you could be going to extraordinary exams. Now sit."
I went to my seat as the teacher resumed her class. Fuck me. I lay my fist on the desk. All of that for nothing.
When the class ended, I headed to my locker. I failed as Spider-man and as Peter Parker. I'm doing that again and again. It's a damn loophole. The locker opens, so I proceed to leave a few books, then my leg vibrates. Pulled out my phone, apparently it was a notification from one of the various news sites that I follow. I pressed to see the article and it read: Mass shooting in Philadelphia 31 injured and… 9… dead.
Breathing became harder. And the cycle continues.
[After school]
I was shopping for a new mask that was just like the other. After searching, I did eventually find another red ski mask.
"That will be 7 dollars," the cashier said.
"Alright," I replied.
On the way home, I couldn't stop thinking of last night. "I wasn't there, people were dying and I was asleep."
Throughout my path, I stop by Center City. It was now a crime scene under investigation.
I only stood there for a moment, until memories of last night came flooding back.
Found a man bleeding out. "Get me out of here!" he said.
And a woman at the edge of death. "Promise me," she said.
"I promise," I replied.
I hope they're both fine now.
I continue my journey home and when finally arriving at the building about to open the door, my reflection on the glass gets to me. My wounds did heal insanely quick in just a night. I slide my hand down my face, then my focus was on my wrist. And I need a new web shooter, crap. I open the door and head to my apartment.
Got the keys out and entered. "Hello… nobody," I shouted.
Head to my room and open a drawer on my desk. Pulled out a notebook that had the instructions for building a web shooter. This is gonna take a while.
Turned the computer on. "Lizard was his name and the shooters were a scream for attention, I got that clear."
I scratch my head, then type on the search bar: Philadelphia's sewer system.
Connor gets in his boss's office.
"I'm sorry, sir," Connor said.
"Give me a reason for your failure," his boss replied.
"The bastard got me in the eyes."
He takes a deep breath. "I understand."
"Give me another chance, sir, I got this."
"Don't worry, I'll give you another chance." He slides his hand on Connors face. "I know you won't disappoint me."
"Ye-yeah."
"You dragged him into the sewers. And clearly having you in the open to attack is a stupid idea."
"What are you saying, boss?"
Google gave me simple maps of the sewer network around the city, as well as many locations of steam pipes and where the water flows.
"He's a big guy, he has to be in one of the biggest spots, right?"
"What do you mean?" Connor asked
"It means he's searching for you," his boss answered.
"That's bad."
"Or is it?"
"Why is that?"
"Well, we can use that to our advantage, think of it, he saw you in the sewers, so he would expect you to still be wandering underground."
An image of blueprints from the sewers pops up. It shows the main sewer system located at the center of the city. That's where most of the water is transported to. It's also connected to the main tunnels.
"You might not like the smell of shit, but you're gonna go down there again and try to put a stop to him, understood?" He pats Connors shoulder and walks away.
"And what if you're wrong?" Connor asked.
He approaches him. "I think it's obvious." He punches him in the gut. "If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong." He screamed. "Now go to the sewers at the center of the city. It's more probable to find him there, since you'll have many access points.
"After all, you should know, you were a plumber weren't you?"
"Yes, boss."
"Now I told you to go, yet you're still here."
"Right." Connor runs to the door and slams it shut.
The darkness of the sky is finally here.
I slide my mask on. "I might be wrong, yet I can't let my doubts turn into reality. The guy practically said that he can transform back to human…Yeah, this is probably gonna be a waste of time. There's literally no point in staying like an animal…" My head goes back to a few weeks. Then again, Man-Bat did prefer his other form than his original one; he didn't like to be human. I sigh. "I gotta try."
I put the new goggles on and opened the window. "Once I'm done with him for being the big gun, I'm coming for the bastards that shot the streets of Philly." I jump out the window and into the city.
Swung my way to the center of the city and landed on the streets. Cars immediately started honking for getting in their way. I remove the manhole and proceed to enter.
I descended into the sewers. Presented to various tunnels flowing with water from different angles.
The main zone that connects the sewers around the city.
I shot a web line into a tunnel and one to another tunnel, then connected them. Proceeded to do the same with the rest.
Once finished. I think I made my own spider net. I drop on the net. Now, to wait…hopefully this works. Every web line has to detect any sort of movement nearby.
I laid back on the net. So I cannot lose focus.
A man drops into the sewers and as he walks, he grows bigger, his clothes rips from his body due to his size and the scales appearing on his skin. "Where are you, spider?"
Come on, stupid red bird hit the dang green pig. A vibration went through my arm and made me sit straight as the webs on my right started vibrating.
"What the?" I asked myself.
I turn to my right and the webs were still vibrating.
"Is anyone there?" I asked in a whisper.
The three web lines that connected to the tunnel were then cut. My head starts to vibrate right after.
A brick is launched towards me. I dodge it and web it to the wall.
I focus on the brick. "What in the hell?!" I screamed.
The vibrations become even stronger, causing an immediate reaction to turn around. Heavy splashes were becoming louder and louder, then out of the shadows the reason I'm here in the first place finally shows up. Fuck.
He lunges at me, pushing his hand against my face and tearing the web lines where my head landed, making me sink in the dirty water for a brief moment.
I'm pulled out and get grabbed by the neck.
"You can't stop me, I'm stronger than you," he croaked.
"Lizard, how are you? Nice to know you were still in this shithole," I said.
He throws his claws at my face, but I'm able to grab his wrist.
"There's nothing like home, am I right?"
"I can't wait to kill you, Spider! This time you'll be the one that can't see." With three of his claws, he slightly cuts a side of my face until he reaches my goggles. "Let's see if you're, actually. Just. Like. Me."
"The only thing we have in common is that we're not normal anymore," I shouted.
I push his hand to the side. He cuts through the webs like nothing. All the force he put into his arm made him fall next to me. He got his arm trapped, so I roll on top of him to deliver blows.
"You might be stronger, but you're a coward." I punch him. "Instead of calling for my attention directly." I punch him again. "You caused a massacre in the city."
He roars and tries to bite me. I grab his neck, but he wraps his other hand around my face. He thrust me against the net and freed his other arm—cutting through most of the webs—making us fall in the water.
The water passes through my nose, as I try my best to keep my mouth shut. He still had a grip on my face, so he flings me against the wall. He tries to get closer, but I toss a web shooter at his mouth and kick him in the jaw, which makes the web's burst in his mouth.
I emerge and climb on the wall to get out of the water. Once out, the lizard's tail splashes the water. I grab my web shooter and change the cartridge, then yanked a piece of the wall off. I set the web shooter on that part of the tunnel and held onto the piece of wall. All done.
"Hey! I'm waiting for you, you giant reptilian man…or do you still enjoy swimming in shit-" I shout.
He jumps out of the water and growls, making the sewers echo.
I tap my ears. "You know, maybe you should go back in the water."
He rushes at me, but I sprint to the tunnel's wall. So, as he swings with his claws, I flip over his arm and hurl the piece I ripped from the wall to hit the web shooter. It covered him with webs, holding him still.
"You'll be surprised by how much glue can fit in a cartridge." I walk towards him. "Now all I want is for you to answer my questions." Our eyes made contact.
The claws on one of his hands, tears through the restraints, releasing an arm.
"Or if you want, we can make an appointment tomorrow."
He slides his hand to lacerate and yank all the webs that restrained him.
"Alright, having scales is a complete disadvantage." I jump and kick him in the face.
He swings with his claws; however, I jump over him, landing a strike on his thigh and abdomen.
Releases a growl and hits me with his backhand, sending me against the wall. Oh, no.
His tail came flying. It impacted my chest and pushed me with enough force it made the wall crack. Nevertheless, I grab his tail.
He slammed me against the other side. "Bad!"
Then against the ground. "Idea!" Huh, the scales on his tail are like solid thorns. "Wait a minute."
I get slammed against the roof. "You're a Crocodile, not a lizard."
He whips his tail to the side, which makes me lose my grip. I crack the wall and land on the floor.
I'm on my knees, supported by my elbows. Come on, Peter, you have to be strong. Why are you so afraid? What are you waiting for? For him to give the critical hit. I don't know if it's because of my lack of sleep that my brain ain't getting any warnings, but right now. I slap my head. Work at your prime, god dammit. I stand up and face him.
"I'm gonna try to not kill you," I said. Ok, I'm aiming for the eyes now.
We run towards one another. He tries to slash me, but I duck and aim for the ribs. When I did that, a couple of pipes on the corner got my attention.
He throws his claws at me, so I roll out of the way. I jump against the wall and punch one of the pipes. It released steam that blew on his face.
I jump to strike his face with my elbow. I proceed to punch his gut and kick the back of his knee, so I thwack his jaw.
I'm about to land another punch, though he grabs my hand. I attempt again and he grabs my other hand. I'm not winning, aren't I?
He tosses me against the wall and holds me by the neck. He punches me twice, then cuts me with a brief swing of his claws. The cuts he made were deep, it made the blood splatter around me. My breathing becomes heavy and my eyes are watery.
Crud, danger warning in my head, I'm starting to hate you.
His bloody hand is placed over my head. "How would it be if you didn't look like that?" he asked. "What if you actually looked like the animal you're pretending to be, sure as hell nobody would see you as a hero, only as another beast they want extinct."
"What are you?" I asked.
"I told you already, I'm Lizard," he responded.
"First, you're more of a croc and two I mean why are you doing this? Why are you trying to kill me? What did I ever do to you?"
He takes his hand off my head.
"I didn't have a nice childhood. My father was not a good person. I knew he hated me, since me being born was the reason my mother left. After she left, the only way I could manage was getting involved with the bad crowd. When I had my first gun I didn't question anything I was about to do, I shot my father and after a long time I finally smiled. I met the mob after a while and they said a 15-year-old with no reason to live fit perfectly in my resume."
"I'm sorry…I can understand."
"No, you can't," he yells. "I live with pain, I have been hurt, robbed, raped, mistreated and left aside countless times. I'm not afraid of pain 'cause it was born by my side!"
"Nice origin story, but that doesn't justify anything you have done! You have killed innocent people, and you might be just someone who's hurt, but that ain't an excuse to join the wrong people. And something tells me if it weren't for your powers, you would've never been a big shot in organized crime. Also, thanks to you, I know now you have a boss, you must enjoy him using you right? I bet it feels great to be wanted…even if it's just for business."
"Huh, you don't know me, if there's something we have in common is that we're both being used by the people around us."
"Around us?" I asked.
"Indeed, for me it's my boss and for you…this entire fuckin' city. That's our reality, our truth," he replied.
"Our truth, huh, the truth turns into cruelty when it lacks empathy."
"I guess you're right, Spider." He raises his hand. "Now it's time to finish this."
"Do as you must, I'm tired." I whispered.
He lays his forehead on mine. "Go to heaven, Spider-Man."
"Make me." With three fingers, I puncture one of his eyes.
He flings me away. And I manage to land on my feet.
"AAAHHH!" He growls as he runs towards me. He grabs my neck and lifts me, only to slam me against the floor, then he tries to bite me. But I put a grip on his neck, moving the bite to my shoulder.
"UUUHHH!" I shout, then I strike his head with my knee. "Fuck-" I strike again. "Off."
He gets off.
I stand up and run to the steam pipes, breaking them as well.
"Not this trick again," he said.
Rolled under the steam and leaped onto his back, putting a grip on his neck. "Tell me, who do you work for?" I shove the piece of pipe that I broke into his mouth. "But first open wide." I throw a tracker into his mouth. Just in case.
He grabs my arms and tosses me away.
"I'm not giving up lizard, croc, gator, whatever the hell you are." I said.
He got close, but he just stood there.
I stand up, so I prepare myself for the next round by putting my fist up. The vibrations in my head come back stronger. What the? The alarm on my watch goes off.
When he's about to strike, everything around me became gray, my ears are stunned and I ended up laying down feeling heavy, then it all faded to dark.
Bipbipbip!
"What the hell?" It was difficult to open my eyes, but as I did the ringing in my ears went away. Turns out the alarm on my watch woke me up. "Gotta get out here."
I slide out of the rubble. Apparently, a huge chunk of the tunnel's wall fell on me.
Got on my feet and saw almost half of the tunnel was destroyed. "Lizard! Are you around here, bud?"
I turn to my left, where there's now a hole in the wall that connects between two tunnels. What the hell happened? I got pushed far away. The pipes are no longer releasing steam. Probably a steam blast. That sucks.
I stare down at the strong water flow around my feet. It's been a little difficult moving. Turned off the alarm on my watch and gave the water a gentle kick. I then punch the other wall. "You idiot, Lizard's gone now and you fucked up again. You fucked it up." Smacked my head against the wall. "You're not working like before, you keep messing everything up…wait, he must think I'm dead, right? He thinks he won, but… the tracker. My phone can track him, I just gotta get home."
I scanned around the area and I was far away from where I entered. The blast was sure strong. Deep in the tunnel there's a ladder, so I run towards it. It was the ladder of a manhole grate. Then it hits me. I don't have any web shooters… nor any clothes. How am I supposed to get home dressed like this? God dammit Peter, you always think of this, why do you forget now? Ok its, hmm, 9:20 pm damn I was out for twenty minutes, either way you got time, I hope."
Climbed out of the place and closed the manhole, people were staring, though I just headed for a building and started crawling. Please, nobody say anything about the smell!
Once on the roof. "Ok, how do I get home? I guess I can run or jump around. I get home, enter my room without anyone knowing, put on a bit of cologne and hope for the best. Alright, here goes nothing." I run to the edge of the roof and leap—able to reach the other building. Got a far way to go, Pete.
Had to jump through many buildings, so I could get home.
"10 pm exactly, screw my life." I jump to the fire escape in my room. I open the window and enter. Now hurry up, Parker!
I take the mask off. It was too easy to remove, so I scan the mask. It was damaged all around, the part of the mouth was torn and so was the right part of the eye, only a thin line of cloth that went under my ear divided those sections.
I shake my head and proceed to take the rest of the suit off. Once finished, I headed to the bathroom and stared into the mirror. I slid my fingers down my face due to the deep scratches I had disappeared. They became thin lines with a tone of red, almost invisible. I unfroze and start to empty a can of deodorant. Come on, hurry, hurry.
When the can is emptied, I put it back where it was. Hope that wasn't audible at all.
I heave the bed and place the suit in. Then I changed into normal clothes from the closet.
You're good, everything is fine.
The squeak of a door makes my blood run cold.
"Peter?" My mom asked.
Should've hid in the closet. "Hey, mo-mother," I said.
"Peter, how did you…how are you here right now? I didn't see you come in."
"I just, well."
She realizes the window is open and gets closer to me.
I scratch my head. "Sorry, I wasn't on time for curfew."
She sits on the bed. "Sit, Peter, let's talk."
I pop my lips.
"I bet you already know the questions I'm going to ask you," she said.
"Are the questions, why am I home late? And why did I come in through the window?" I asked.
"More like why did you come up the fire escape."
"Right. Right."
"Answer me."
"I was on the streets…just working out-"
"For eight hours?" she asked.
"I didn't leave home at 2 pm, you know!" I answered.
She nodded.
"And I went up the fire escape, so I can do a small joke, that's also a huge reason why I'm late."
"I see."
"Hmm, so."
"So, cut the nonsense."
"What?"
"I've gotten many phone calls from your school. They say your scores are low, the lowest in the class and they don't see to talk to anyone, you don't socialize. I'm worried, I mean I don't have a problem with my son being an introvert, it's just...I now know your excuses for being late all the other days were lies, you always said you were with your friends. But today you came up with something new."
"I-I'm sorry," I replied.
"Don't apologize and tell me the truth, will you," she said.
"The truth is…it's…I just-"
"Peter, does it have to do with Jess."
"I-I…hmm…huh."
She wraps her arms around me and squeezes tight.
"Alright, then." She ends the hug. "Take a shower, a long one, 'cause you don't smell too good and of course clear your mind."
"Oh, yeah, right."
"Also, tomorrow we'll be taking you to school and picking you up. You'll also do a drug test tomorrow."
"What?"
"No complaints. Got it?"
I lower my head. "Got it."
"I love you, Peter."
"Love you too, mom."
She leaves and closes the door.
I place my hands on my head. It hurts. A lot. "I didn't ask for this, I didn't ask for these powers…also nobody asked me to take this life. I brought this pain upon myself." I whispered as I rub my eyes.
I look out the window. Why did I choose to make this my life? I'm a failure trying to keep an entire city safe. I thought being Spider-Man would give me a better life, but I ruined it. I lift the bed to take the suit out. I had something good and I just threw it all away just for the simple idea that I could be a hero. I squeeze the hoodie and mask. The spider that I painted on the chest was now torn with a three claw slash. "You were my biggest mistake."
I save some people, but that doesn't help me, they say I'm a menace and those people I save wouldn't do the same for me. I throw the suit away. The things that I have to go through to accomplish that task, destroy me, it hurts me both physically and mentally. I'm just waiting for my breaking point to put an end to all of this, or someone to kill me already.
My phone vibrates on the piece of furniture near my bed.
I forgot about you tonight. I grab my phone and turn it on. The first thing that appeared was Lizard's tracker beeping on the map of my phone.
Screw this, I can't keep doing this, I can't take this anymore!
I go to the bathroom and put the radio on my phone. I take my shirt off, so I can see how my other injuries I have. Damn, my body sure heals quick.
The static that was playing on my phone turned into a news broadcast.
"On recent news people reported an explosion from underground, apparently a huge amount of team was releasing from the sewers tonight."
Great, news about something I survived.
"This is due to broken pipes. The people in charge of the steam lines closed off the place where the steam was exiting to avoid more of it entering the sewers, but this was a mistake from their behalf, they should've just turned off the steam system from that part of the city."
I guess that's smart.
"Because they say they forgot to do that, so the steam built up more and more until the point of an explosion. And the steam pipes connect to the sewers 'cause there's a steam tunnel nearby, but the steam tunnel was not being properly managed at the time, fortunately it didn't do harm to any of us, but that could've been different. And besides it's still money in damages."
Well, I already knew that. The roof of the sewers seemed fine to me.
"On another note, a few reports say they saw the vigilante known as Spider-Man going in and out of the sewers, so there's an investigation that needs to happen."
That's enough. I'm about to deactivate the radio.
"And on other news, the families that lost their loved ones in the mass shooting that happened yesterday gathered tonight in Center City."
My eyes pop open.
"They gathered tonight to pray for the ones that they love."
I place my head on the mirror.
"I'm not one of them, but surely the families of the victims only ask for one thing…and it's justice for the ones they lost."
I turn off the phone. Trying to be a hero doesn't only hurt me, it also hurts other people because of me, innocent people, good people. What those assholes saw as just another sack of meat were fathers, mothers, sons and daughters.
I grab the hoodie. "I really need to wash you." I lay my hand on the center of the hoodie. "But dirty or not, that symbol still means something, even if it's just for me."
I lock the door and suit up. If my parents come knocking and they know I'm gone, they'll surely send me to get professional help when I'm back.
"But I gotta be Spider-Man." I open the window. "Because I need to, I'll make sure to avenge every soul that was lost in Center City." I put my mask on and tie a black bandana over my mouth.
I leap from the window and begin swinging, following the coordinates on my phone.
As I swung around, the tracker was beeping more and more. I lowered my phone and the tracker was located in the building right in front of me. So I stick on the wall of a nearby building. It's a huge building.
I swing to the roof and approach the roof lantern. At first glance, everything was dark. Either way, I open the trap door and jump in.
Inside, the only light source are the large windows, illuminated by the moon. I hope no tingling in my head is good news.
"Spider-Man, about time," someone said.
The voice made me look behind me.
"I was waiting for you." A light on a desk is turned on, revealing a man of pale skin in a fancy suit. "How've you been, Spider?"
"...I think I should ask you that," I replied.
"How so? If you're the one who can barely stand, your custom is all messed up and my I say your mask ain't much of a mask if you put a bandana to cover a big part of your face."
"Well, looks aside, you're not the one I'm searching for, but the tracker led me here, so who are you? And where is Lizard?"
"Hmm…I guess you got me." he opens his hand, showing the tracker. "Is this the toy you're referring to?"
"The one and only. By the way is it rude to ask how you got that did you wait for nature to take its course or-"
"Shut up already, vigilante." He smashes the tracker and looks out the windows. "You know this city is marvelous, it's a city with power. But I'm in charge of controlling such power, even if it means getting rid of the bugs! That interferes in our business," he snarls.
"Wow, I wonder who you're referring to." I said.
"I already sent my strongest goon to kill, but he failed twice already, so I have a better idea, how about you join me." He pulls out a briefcase from under his desk. "I guess you can still be a hero if you want. All I ask in return is for you to look away sometimes. However, to only look away when I want you to." He opens the briefcase, showing a load of bundles of money.
"What's your name?"
"I only know you by nickname, so call me Tombstone, 'cause that's how everybody calls me."
"Why?"
"It's quite simple, you're called Spider-Man because you do what a spider does. I'm called tombstone because that's what I put on people who fuck with me."
"I see." I shoot a web line at the briefcase and toss it to the wall. "But I survived a damn explosion. I'll take my chances, thank you very much." I raise my fist.
"Your funeral." He snaps his fingers. "I'll make sure of it this time!"
My head vibrates after those words. It makes me jump to the roof. As the Lizard came out of the shadows trying to ram me.
I connect a web to the ceiling and hold on to it as I descend upside down.
"Lizard, I was waiting for you, were you there all the time or what? But on a serious note, how'd you get that tracker out of you?" I asked.
"My body spat it out, yet I'll make sure to prey on your flesh," he responded.
"Wow, I did not need that image in my head."
He roars as he charges at me.
I let go of the web and place my hand on his head to flip over him.
He stops and turns around.
We both stare right into our eyes. This reptile sure doesn't need to blink.
He punches the floor with both of his fists.
"Bring it!" I shout.
We both run to one another.
When he got close, I boosted my jump with webs as well as shot many webs to his head and shoulders. "Let's see how good your senses are." I ride him to his boss's direction. "Good luck with complications." I jump off.
When I did, he slammed his fist against the desk. He cuts the webs off his eyes and looks at his boss sitting right in front of him.
That didn't even make him flinch. But Lizard sure did.
"You're starting to disappoint me again, Connor," Tombstone stated.
"Connor? Who's Connor?" I asked.
They stare at me.
"Right of course. But you don't look like a Connor, you look more like-"
He runs towards me.
"Oh, shit."
He swings with his claws, but I slide under his arm in time. I jump on his back and strike his head with my elbow. He throws his hands over his head, though before he could grab me, I flip to the ground and throw a kick supported by my hands. But he grabs my foot. Oh, shit.
He smacked me to the ground, which made me bounce and roll.
When I was about to get up, he puts his hand on my mouth.
"By the way, call me croc, killer croc!" He yanks the bandana off my face and smacks me with his tail. He pushes me far, but I backflip to make the landing.
I took a deep breath. Concentrate, Peter, concentrate. Come on, you got this. He either finishes you or I finish him first.
He walks towards me. "I'll enjoy biting through that skull."
I'm scared. I've been scared ever since I saw him, a bat creature was something, but a fucking man croc is different. I squeeze my fist in front of me. Sometimes I feel like going all out. I get on my feet.
"Philadelphia will forget about Spider-Man, they'll just see you as another failure," Croc said.
"Croc, huh. Alright, you gecko son of a bitch, I guess you finally listened to what I said about your powers." I replied.
"SKKAAAA!" He growls and runs at me.
The vibrations rush to my head. They say when crocodiles open their mouth, they can lift a truck. His powers obviously expand that strength all around his body, but just like before, their weakest points are the eyes.
He throws a punch; however, I stop his fist by grabbing it with both hands.
"Enough," I shout.
I spin to the side, making his fist strike the ground, and use the force from the spin to punch hard in his abdomen, blowing his air out.
I flip to the side. I jump and give him a right hook on his face.
He steps back and touches his cheek, when he sees his hand, his eyes pop open. "Blood?!"
I take a look at my knuckles as the punch got my glove torn. I'm fine. Keep it up. The vibrations are back.
He tries to ram me, so I jump over him.
We both look at each other. He swings, but I dodge by moving my hip back. I take the opportunity to throw a jab to his ribs and strike his jaw with my elbow.
He spins to attack with his tail, so I side flip.
I jump and hit his face with my knee.
"Your attacks, they've changed, it feels like you want to kill me, like you just want to see my blood cover the walls, I never had that scent on you before," he said.
"Well, what do you think?" I asked.
"That you're still holding back."
True!
"SKKAAAA!" He runs towards me.
I shoot a load of webs at him, connecting the webs to the floor and the ceiling. He's at arms length when he stops right in his tracks, but only for a brief second, 'cause like nothing he cuts free.
Before he could attack, I jump spin to bash a kick on his face
The hit made him move close to the windows. He looks at me and spits at the ground. "Why is it so hard to kill you?"
"You're strong, but slow. You're big, but not agile, simple as that. Sometimes power can backfire, you know," I reply.
"We'll see!"
I run at him. He throws his fist up and when I got close he brings them down smashing the ground. I backflip and then thwack his nose.
He moves back, getting closer to the windows. I shoot webs at the ceiling to propel myself. "This is for Center City, bitch!" I kick him in the face, throwing him back, smashing the windows and hitting the metal bars on the terrace.
The huge animal in front of me was spilling blood from his cheeks and nose. I got you where I want you."
I punch him in the face and he looses balance. Motherfucker. I punch him over and over again. I wanted this for so long.
Blood was flying left and right, and I didn't know if some of it was mine. My fist are getting sore. I wouldn't be surprised if his skin was bulletproof.
My eyes go wide. "What the fu-"
"Stop! Please. Stop," he whispered.
The green-scale skin is disappearing. His tail becomes smaller as he loses size.
I focus on my fist, realizing all the blood it had. What a tough bastard.
When I raise my head, the giant reptilian is no more, a man of white skin and blond hair took his place.
I bend a knee, put a finger on his forehead and push his head up. "Connor, isn't it?"
"Please, stop."
A click is then heard.
"They say that the third time's the charm. Nevertheless, you proved otherwise, since all you gave me is disappointment," Tombstone said.
I face him and spoke. "You know they say if you want something done, you gotta do it yourself."
"I agree!" He points his gun at me.
I tilt my head and squeeze my fist. Tombstones are easy to break.
He moves his gun down to my left, aiming at the man on the floor.
"Wait, you're gonna kill him?" I asked.
"There's no space in the world for burdens and the useless." he answered.
I shoot a web line at his gun and pull it to me.
"That…sounds…a little harsh." I let go of the gun. "Put 'em up like a man."
He smiles. "Aren't you afraid of me?!"
"I just took down a giant walking crocodile. An albino in a tuxedo doesn't scare me."
"...Very well then." He puts his fist up. "I imagine that you won't disappoint me, and you'll actually make me feel something."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Ever since that flare in the sky hit me, I've been forbidden of any type of physical feeling."
The phrase 'flare in the sky' made my head flicker with memories of weeks ago about how I got my powers.
"You-you-you're just like me and-and him," I stutter as I point at Connor.
"Indeed, he was on the terrace when he got his abilities, but who would've thought he would end up beaten the same place he got such power."
"Well, you know my abilities and you know his, so what's your-"
"Why don't you find out."
"You said you can't feel anything, lucky you." I run towards him. "That way you won't feel-" I punch him in the face, but he stays still. "This." I step back.
He smiles. "I'm waiting, Spider."
I try to punch him, but he grabs my fist. "Yet, who said it was gonna be easy, hero."
"Damn, you're cold as ice and hard as marble," I whispered.
He throws a punch. I manage to duck and punch him in the stomach, which stops my movement immediately. Fuck.
He grabs my forearm and kicks me back, hitting one of the windows with enough force I crack the glass. It made him stronger, that's confirmed.
I peek out on the terrace and glance at Connor.
"You just dug your own grave, moron," he whispered.
And who decided it?
The moment I turn to Tombstone he puts an immediate grip on my face, pushing my head smashing the window.
He flings me to his broken desk, breaking whatever there was left.
The vibrations come back to my head. My reaction was to roll aside as Tombstone dropped his fist on the ruined desk.
I get on my feet. When tombstone lifted his fist, there was dust on them. Did he just break the concrete floor?
"You sure are fast, alright," he said.
"Thanks mate, it comes natural," I replied.
"That's a lie."
"Well, duh."
He lunges at me and throws a punch. I dodge it and shoot webs to his face, when he tries to take it off I start punching his abdomen. Am I even doing any damage at all? My knuckles are killing me. He takes the webs off and punches me hard enough it makes my body spin.
I spit some blood out. I think I gotta hit him five times to make up for each one he lands on me. Damn, he hits hard.
I shoot webs at the ceiling to swing kick and when I made contact with him, it didn't cause anything at all.
I flip off his chest and we stay still, until he smirks at me. I punched him and he kept his head still. He punches me and I almost fall down. Maybe it is my funeral.
I jump to throw a kick, but he grabs my ankle and slams me against the floor.
"You just had to play the hero, didn't you?" he asked.
"I don't want to keep doing this, but ever since your goons attacked the streets of Center City, I had no choice." I answered.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot about them."
"When I'm done with you, I'll be going for them."
"I wouldn't bother, they're all dead."
I get on my knees. "What? What do you mean they're dead?"
"Those men knew what they were doing. They were going in there without a mask, so I had to get rid of loose ends. They all had a list of mistakes on them that cost me a lot, so I gave them one last job. And reaffirmed the fact as to why I hate failures."
"In that case, why the hell are you doing this? Why did you choose to kill people for a living?"
"You sound just like my mother, always asking why I chose this life. Unfortunately, betrayal in the family is unacceptable, even if it's from your parents. That's when I learned even family can fail you," he declared.
"Tombstone, you're a true monster," I stated.
He smiles, showing off his sharp teeth. "Let's finish this."
I roll and flip away.
"I said let's finish this!" he screams.
I look at my knuckles and the skin was peeling off. Give everything you got, give it all as if it's your only hope. Not too far from reality, actually.
He starts to walk towards me, so I shoot webs at his face blinding him and shot web lines at the windows to slingshot myself. You can do it. I fling myself to obtain more force.
He takes the webs off, but before he could blink. I strike his face with everything I got. Blood splattered from his cheek and he coughed blood. He just fell cold on the ground.
On the other hand, my fist cracked the moment I punched him. I can't feel, nor move my hand. "Damn, that fucking hurt!"
I web up my hand. Then the tingling in my head goes nuts. What now?
"Can Tombstone come out to play?" Someone shouted as many objects came flying in, smashing all the windows and embedding them in the ground.
"Now that's a sharp toy," I said.
A man with green armor and big wings was getting closer. He was carrying someone with a yellow and purple tone of armor. Both of them were as bright as neon.
"I brought a friend over, so please don't disappoint." He drops the man through the window, the man rolls and gets up. He has a suit that covers him completely, his eyes are in a glowing yellow and has chrome gauntlets.
"Alright, then bring it." He raises his arms and they begin to look like water is surrounding them, emitting a yellow glimmer.
It takes him a second, but he eventually reads the room, so he lowers his arms, turning them back to normal.
"What happened here?" He looks at me. "The vigilante."
His friend with wings finally puts his feet on the ground. "Looks like we're late." He points at Tombstone on the ground.
"Then we change our plans, Vulture." He lifts an arm.
"Vulture, huh, what a creative name," I said.
"Says the one who simply put 'man' after 'Spider' and by the way my name is shocker." His gauntlet starts emitting the yellow light.
"Something tells me that ain't electricity." I whispered.
The vibrations made me flip out of the way. He released a blast of air that razed the ground and damaged the wall.
Holy shit.
Vulture comes in and swoops me off the ground. He has me by the neck and throws against the wall close to the door.
I am so tired.
The vibrations come back. Vulture shot a number of blades out his wings, so I flip to the side and shot webs at his face, as he was trying to get it off, I shot web lines at his wings and start to spin. "Piss off!" I toss him as hard as I could, sending him out the window he came from.
I rub my hand. Hurts as hell, still easier than what I thought.
Vibrations come in that made me jump to the roof as another air blast tries to hit me.
"How are you even faster than that?" He asked.
"How are you even doing that in the first place? Judging by the shiny costumes, you people aren't like me, you two don't have real powers, just insanely advanced tech."
"Indeed, but it's tech, especially designed to take all of you bastards out."
He aims at me, so I shoot webs at his gauntlets, avoiding the attack.
"Is it me or did I just render them useless that quickly," I said.
"This wasn't supposed to happen, I'm not the spider killer in the team, are objective was Tomb-"
I shot web lines at his arms and slammed him against the wall. I shoot many webs to get him stuck there.
"I can't believe this just happened," he said.
"Well, believe it." I drop right in front of him. "It makes it easier." I punched him in the face, shattering the armor he had on his eye.
Gotta depend only on my left hand for now. My head vibrates. What is it now?
I was lifted off the ground. "Round two bug."
"Vulture! How I hate seeing you again," I said.
He circles the room before flying out of the building. He headed into the sky.
"I hope you're not afraid of heights," he said.
"Don't worry, I use high buildings to get around, so I'm-" I catch a glimpse of the city, realizing how high we were. "But now I'm not sure."
"Getting rid of you now will give me a bonus, making the other two useless."
"Yeah, well screw-" I kick him, so he lets me go. "Yoouuuuuu."
"What an idiot," he murmured.
I shot a web line to his foot. I'm now dangling on him.
"Enough!" He shouts and cuts the web line with his wings. "Let's end this."
He comes flying at me. He tries to grab me, but I grab his wrist and flip over his head, putting my arm around his neck.
"I'm gonna kill you, you damn spider."
"Good luck with that. And I wonder what happens if I do this to your equipment." I hit his back with my knee. The equipment that I hit was releasing sparks now.
We were both falling at an immense speed.
"You-you fool," he screams.
"Are you sure about that?" When we were close to the building, I tried to shoot a web, but nothing came out. "Oh, shit." I use the other hand, which still had some web to spare.
I pull us towards the building and I toss Vulture in and land beside him.
"That was also quite easy, did you both even do any training at all?" I asked.
"Are costumes are not made for you, you puny insect," he answered.
"Technically, I'm closer to an arachnid."
He looks around and finds his teammate stuck to the wall.
"Shocker," he shouts and runs towards him.
Those two seem close.
He releases Shocker and wraps his arms around him. "You'll die soon." The turbines on his wings are activated.
They're still working.
"And when that happens, we'll be there."
"Who said you're leaving?" I try to shoot webs, but the other web shooter also runs out. "Fuck."
He flies out of here with his partner in his arms.
"Huh, I'm so tired." I look around and Tombstone was nowhere to be found. "You gotta be kidding me!"
I head to the terrace. "Connor, right?
"Indeed," he answered.
"What about you, why are you still here? Why didn't you run off as well?"
"I'm tired of running, so just finish the job."
I tilt my head. "You sure can heal. I don't see any bruises on you anymore, only the red stains of blood that-"
"Yeah, well, reptiles heal insanely quick."
"I guess that-"
"Enough talking and do it, just kill me already."
"What? I'm not gonna kill you."
"Came, so far and you're not gonna finish the job?" He asked.
I sit beside him. "My parents didn't raise a killer."
"Parents, hahaha you had a family, lucky you."
"If you have a family, that means you had an education, right?"
He believes I'm a grown up, huh, when I haven't even finished my first year of high school.
"What the hell are you doing here? You should be working as I don't know, a fucking doctor maybe, you could help a lot of more people that way. So what the hell are you doing out here?"
I sighed, "You know, every time I put this suit on and go out in the city, I ask myself the same fucking question and I never find an answer. All I know is that I can't give up, it's too late to back down now." But tonight it was for vengeance, and the bastard got away.
"Like half the city hates you and everything was given to you in your little hand," he shouted. "Who the hell asked you to play hero? No one wanted you to do this."
"Exactly…I lived a normal life, a boring life that anyone like you would consider me lucky having, but when I got these powers my mind was filled with thoughts of a thrilling, heroic life. I chose to put on a mask and try to be a hero, I chose to risk my life, I chose to put my life on the line, for people that I don't care about, for people that don't know me and surely even hate me, trying to save people without knowing if they would do the same for me…but I have to.
"The choice of being Spider-Man eventually became an obligation. If I can help someone, I gotta try. Our decisions are what we have in common…we both chose to ruin our lives-"
"Stop the bullshit. You can't understand my pain. I had nobody that cared for me, only a crack head who hated me-" he shouts.
"That's why I'm glad I had parents, they gave me morals. But if your dad preferred drugs, that ain't my problem," I said.
"You have the privilege of a loving family, so take good of anyone you have left," he replied.
A hard knocking is heard. "This is the police, open the door, or we'll take you in by force."
"Well, that's my cue." I get up.
"No, no, no, no, please kill me!" he yelled.
"What?"
"I prefer to die than to be tortured. They'll experiment on me, alive, surely. They'll cut me, they'll dissect me. Kill me. Kill me, Spider-Man, please!"
"I told you I'm not a murderer."
"But they are. I'm asking you to do it, it's different."
"I'm not just going to-"
"The way I see it, everyone has the right to end their lives. I want you to end mine. I've seen how strong you are. In my normal form you can kill me in an instant with a single move, please, I beg you."
"I…just don't turn back into the reptile, you'll be fine, Connor." I jump and swing away from the building.
"Please kill me, coward," he whimpered.
Everything will be fine, I know it.
Connor crawls to the gun that was left on the floor. He points the gun at his head as the police smack the door.
"I could've just turned into the monster and gotten out of here." He cocks the gun. "But I don't want to be a monster anymore."
A loud blast echoes through the air.
"Fuck," I shout.
The cops take down the door and the floor of the building is now shining with lights.
"May God forgive your sins, Connor."
I lay back on the roof of a nearby building. "I'm so tired."
The stars shine bright in the night sky.
I hope nothing happened back home, and maybe it's time I face a few of my own issues. I pulled out my phone, and it was covered in dust with the screen cracked.
I dial the number. I hope she answers.
It took a minute, but she eventually picked up.
"Hey, Jess," I said.
"Peter…is that really you?" she asked.
"Yeah, it's me, it's been a while, huh?"
"A long while, what happened to you? Why didn't you come visit me, mom and dad did."
"I was…scared."
"Oh…well, that's bad. Hey, I don't know if they've told you yet, but I'm going home in a few weeks."
I sit up. "Really? That's great."
"Yeah, though it's my choice."
My body turns cold. "Oh."
"The doctor said three months is the best I could do without any serious medical attention."
I shed a tear. "It's your life, do whatever makes you happy."
"He told me that over a month ago. And all of these super humans making a ruckus have complicated transportation, you know.
"I…I imagine, yeah."
She giggles. "So if my math ain't bad, a month is all the time we can spend together as a family."
"...Huh, I just can't wait to see you again, sis."
"Same little bro, I can't wait to see you."
I smile.
"Hey, not to be rude, but you called me quite late and I was about to go to sleep, so?"
"Understood, yeah right, I get it, Mmm, good night."
"Good night. Oh, and mom said she grounded you and that you were doing horrible in school also she said you were asleep."
"She…she did."
"Yeah, also, dad is thinking of putting you up for sports."
I sigh.
"Hey."
"Yes."
"I love you, good night."
"Good night. See you later."
I hang up and walk to the edge of the roof. I hope things get better.
I sit on the edge. "At least let it be worse for Spider-Man, but better for Peter Parker."
I'll just enjoy the view a bit more, then I'm headed home and going to take the best nap of my life.
My eyes go Wide. "Wait, I have school tomorrow, dang it."
I leap from the building and begin swinging my way home.
You always do this, Peter, screw my luck.
A/N
Ok, sorry it took me so long with this chapter, it's been quite a long time.
I want to apologize if the chapter seems rushed, I just really wanted to get out now.
I'm also sorry for any bad writing, but I'm human, so I'm not perfect, and again I just really wanted to finish it.
And the last thing I want to say is: THANK YOU FOR READING AND BE HAPPY
Until next time.