Chapter 3: Survival of the Fittest

Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. I am so sorry about the wait. I finally figured out the direction I wanna go with this story. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.

It was late at night as the summer had come and gone as we find ourselves on the rooftops of New York as two criminals holding large sacks of jewels made their escape.

"Didn't I tell you? One getaway jump and we're a million bucks richer." Flint said.

"Not until the boss takes his cut." His partner said.

"Just shut up and jump." Flint orders.

He was about to jump when a web shot down and grabbed him.

"What the?" Flint looks to see a signal shaped like Spider-Man's mask appeared.

"Hey Marko, what is this the third time this summer I've caught you?" Spider-Man asks.

"Spider-Man!" He growls.

"Check out my Spider Signal. What do you think? I mean Batman has the Bat Signal so don't you think I should have one?" Spider-Man asks revealing his friend dangling next to him.

"When I get my hands on you I'm gonna—" Before he could finish Spider-Man fires a web at his mouth.

"Language." Spider-Man said when Flint attacked him.

Leaping out of the way, Spider-Man kicks Flint in the chest knocking him back.

"Look Flint, can I call you Flint? Be honest, was the signal too much or did it work?" Spider-Man asks firing a web and whacking Flint with the other sack of jewels. "I mean you and I have fought quite a few times so I really think you would be a great help."

Firing more webs, Spider-Man ties Flint up with ease.

Zooming out we see a man in a suit showing someone this fight on a laptop.

"Is this a live feed?" A scary voice asks.

"Yes sir." Hammerhead said.

"Then I've seen enough. Send in the Enforcers." He orders.

"Already sent." Hammerhead said.

The next morning, Jaden tucked his Spider-Man suit away in his bag before getting dressed.

Walking downstairs he saw his mom in the kitchen.

"Morning mom." Jaden said getting her attention.

"Morning sweetie." Maya smiles seeing her son walk in. "You ready for school?"

"You know what I am. I think this could be a good year for me." Jaden smiles.

"It's good to see you smiling again, Jaden." Maya said.

"Yeah guess I just needed a little time to sort things out." Jaden said.

"Well here's your lunch. You don't wanna keep Harry and Gwen waiting." Maya said handing him a bag and giving him a peck on the forehead.

"Love you mom." Jaden said leaving.

At OSCORP, a bald man with a pointy nose was glaring at a short man with glasses. These were Adrian Toomes and Otto Octavius.

"I blame you for this!" Adrian glares pointing at Otto. "You told me to bring my magnetic air transport system to OSCORP!"

"I-I know." Otto stutters.

"You arranged the meeting with Norman Osborn!" Adrian said causing Otto to back up in fear.

"I-I had the best intentions." Otto stutters.

"He studied my ideas and rejected them. Then announces OSCORP tech flight 4 months later!" Adrian snaps.

"I-I-I am sorry Adrian—"

"Don't you dare apologize doctor." Norman said walking in. "OSCORP has nothing to apologize for."

"Nothing?! You stole my work!" Adrian said.

"That's dangerous talk Mr. Toomes. Dangerous and unsupportable. Listen you old buzzard, you've been at this for decades without one success to your name. If you never accomplished anything as a young man who'd believe you'd create tech flight as an old one?" Norman asks causing Adrian to growl. "Boys, show Mr. Toomes out."

"Good news, I don't blame you anymore." Adrian said looking at Otto before leaving.

At Midtown High, Jaden walks in through the front gate.

"Jaden!" Looking over Jaden saw Harry and Gwen waving at him.

"Gwen, Harry!" Jaden smiles walking over and hugging them. "Man I missed you guys."

"Well someone's a lot happier than when we left." Gwen smiles.

"Yeah, just used this summer as a chance to unwind and pick myself up. What about you guys?" Jaden asks.

"Science Camp was a blast. Was a total star." Gwen said.

"Oh yeah that's what I like to hear." Jaden said as he and Gwen high five.

"Not for me, my dad spent everyday in board rooms. Jaden, I owe you one. If it weren't for your calls I would have died of boredom." Harry groans.

"No problem Harry." Jaden said.

"So you both ready for the torture that is High School?" Harry asks.

"Ready as I'll ever be." Jaden shrugs.

"Same." Gwen nods.

"Can I count on you two to help with tutoring?" Harry asks.

"As long as you don't mind buying drinks and snacks for me." Jaden chuckles.

"You drive a hard bargain buddy, but you got a deal." Harry smiles.

"Come on we got Math class first." Gwen said.

"Yes." Jaden smiles.

"Only you would smile at that Jaden." Harry said.

"What can I say? I know what I'm good at." Jaden said when suddenly a foot stuck out tripping Jaden making him fall to the floor.

"Funny so do I Jadumb." Jaden looks up to see a muscular teen with blonde hair, this was Flash Thompson and his jerktourage of jocks and cheerleaders.

"Flash, long time no see. And here I thought you forgot about me." Jaden groans getting up only to be pushed back down by another causing Harry and Gwen to gasp as the jocks laugh at him.

"Like I'd ever forget my favorite punching bag." Flash mocks before grabbing his shirt and lifting Jaden up to him. "Thought I'd give you a little taste of what's to come this year. Welcome back."

Narrowing his eyes, Flash lets go allowing Jaden to catch his breath as they walked away.

"Ugh I hate Flash." Gwen groans.

"And seriously Jadumb? Jaden don't let him get to you. Unlike Flash you probably have a future." Harry said.

"Thanks guys." Jaden said rubbing his neck before they headed to class.

Meanwhile in an empty warehouse, Hammerhead leads the Enforcers inside where a speaker was set up.

"Come on, the big man wants a word." Hammerhead said leading them up to the speaker. "Enforcers present and accounted for boss."

"Thank you, Hammerhead. Gentleman I'll get right to the point, this whole summer a pest has plagued our entire operation. At first I thought this was just a fairy tale." The boss said.

"Thought they were stiffing us." Hammerhead said.

"Establishing patterns of movement took all summer, but last night we got proof. Spider-Man is real." The boss said.

"And you want us to wrangle up this here Spider?" Montana asks.

"No Montana, I want you to squash it." The boss said.

Back at Midtown High, the Science teacher Mr. Aaron Warren was writing on the board when the bell rang.

"Alright class, chapter one by tomorrow. Mr. Cooper, Ms. Stacy a word." Mr. Warren said getting their attention as everyone left. "I was wondering if you two remember our field trip last year to Dr. Conner's lab at Empire State University?"

"How could I forget?" Jaden said remembering that it was on that trip that he got bit by the radioactive spider allowing him to be Spider-Man.

"Me neither, Dr. Conners research was thrilling." Gwen said.

"I'm glad you both feel that way. Recently he's come into some extra funding and he's looking for two High School interns. I recommended the two of you, my star students." He smiles.

"What?" Jaden smiles.

"Us working with Curt Conners? Gwen squeals before hugging Jaden. "Jaden this is amazing!"

Pausing a huge blush appears on both their faces before Gwen let go. "Uh sorry."

"Uh when do we start?" Jaden asks.

"This afternoon." Mr. Warren said.

At an unknown location a dark figure was putting on some sort of high tech suit with sharp wings.

After school, Jaden was with Harry at his penthouse relaxing before his internship.

"Thanks for letting me come over Harry. My meeting at ESU isn't for another hour." Jaden said sitting down.

"I'm just surprised you didn't sign up for the paper again this year. You're like their best photographer." Harry said.

"Yeah but I'm sick of Flash beating me up for not getting his "good side" at games." Jaden said causing Harry to chuckle.

"Like he really has one." Harry smiles.

"This Internship is my first step to getting into a good college and being a scientist. I mean look at this place. Your dad is a scientist and you have all this." Jaden gestures around.

"Boys come out here." Norman calls out.

Walking out to the balcony, Jaden and Harry saw Norman sitting down.

"I couldn't help overhear." Norman said.

"I'm sorry sir I—"

"Don't you dare apologize Jaden. I don't. So what's all this about a lab job?" Norman asks.

"At ESU working for Curt Conners." Jaden said.

"Conners huh? Not bad Jaden. A good word from him could take you places. I don't suppose you were considered Harry?" Norman asks.

"No sir." Harry frowns.

"It's good to see you again Mr. Osborn." Jaden said.

"You as well Jaden. I hope you'll stop by more often." Norman said.

"I will anyway Harry and I will get out of your way so you can get back to work." Jaden said when something flew in.

"OSBORN!" Looking up Toomes in a high-tech red suit flew in and grabbed Norman before flying away with him.

"Dad!" Harry gasps. "What do we do?!"

"Call the cops! I'm gonna follow see if I can help find them!" Jaden said quickly.

"Be careful Jaden!" Harry said running in allowing Jaden to take out his suit.

Through the air, Norman looks up at his kidnapper.

"Tell the truth Osborne can your tech flight do this?!" Toomes asks.

"Toomes?" Norman glares.

"Not anymore. I'm what you called me. I'm the Vulture!" He declared.

"I called you a buzzard. You're so stupid you didn't even get the name right." Norman corrects.

Growling Vulture tosses Norman into the air before catching him again.

"Toomes stop! What will this accomplish?" Norman asks.

"A means to an end Osborn. Something you know all about. You will announce to the world that Adrian Toomes is the genius behind tech flight, you will pay me all that I am owed and you will publicly apologize for stealing my invention!" Vulture declares.

"I never apologize for anything old man!" Norman said.

"I may be an old man but I'm not a patient one!" Vulture snaps dropping Norman causing him to plummet to the ground.

Suddenly a web shot in and Spider-Man swung in and caught Norman.

"Whoo that was close." Spider-Man surpising them.

"Wh-What is this? These skies are my domain!" Vulture said flying after him.

"Oh don't mind me, just passing through." Spider-Man said.

"What are you doing? Put me down!" Norman said.

"Geez this how you talk to people who help you? Oh man you need to fix that." Spider-Man said.

"Who are you?" Norman and Vulture asks.

"I'm your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!" Spider-Man declares.

"Spider-Man? I thought you were a myth." Vulture said.

"Nope, I'm the real deal!" Spider-Man said when Vulture flew in and sliced his web making him and Norman fall.

Down below two cops walk out of the Police Station.

"Heads up!" Spider-Man yells getting their attention as Spider-Man grabs Norman and fires a web dropping him off with the cops before swinging away.

Vulture tries to grab him again but misses.

"What's going on?" The cops ask.

"Explanations inside!" Norman said as they brought him into the station.

Swinging through the air Spider-Man chases after Vulture.

"Look Tweety I get that you don't like Mr. Osborn but dressing up as a bird and grabbing him isn't gonna solve anything." Spider-Man said but Vulture flew away. "Aww what's a matter Tweety thought I was a Pooty Tat?"

"The name is Vulture!" Vulture roars.

At Empire State University, Spider-Man swings in nearby but slips and falls into some bushes.

"Ugh." Groaning he takes off his suit and Jaden walks out with leaves all in his hair and attached to his clothes. "I gotta work on my landings."

"Geez what happened to you?" Jaden looks to see Gwen waiting for him by the entrance.

"Sorry little trouble on the way over." Jaden said as Gwen patted his shoulders helping get the leaves off.

Walking in they saw a muscular guy with blonde hair, this was Eddie Brock.

"Hey Jay-Man!" He said.

"Eddy." Gwen smiles hugging him.

"Hey Gwen." Eddy smiles.

"Eddy long time no see. What are you doing here?" Jaden asks.

"Work here. I'm the Conners Personal Lab Assistant. Not bad for a College Freshman huh?" Eddie asks.

"Way to go man." Jaden said.

"But I bet you miss me back at Midtown. Did Flash Thompson throw you in the bushes again?" Eddie asks picking the last leaf off Jaden's head.

Walking in from the back was a woman with brown hair and a labcoat, this was Martha Conners.

"Gwen, Jaden meet Doctor Martha Conners." Eddie introduces.

"Eddie's told us many things about you." Martha smiles.

"I also said you tried to stay clean. Live up to that for me." Eddie whispers.

In the backroom, a man with a robotic right arm was injecting himself with some sort of shot.

"Kurt! Stop hiding in the back and meet our interns!" Martha calls out.

"I'll be right there." Kurt said putting his lab coat back on before walking out.

"This is Curt Conners, ESU's genius resident and my husband." Martha smiles.

"Pleasure to meet you." Jaden said holding out his hand.

"I feel like I've seen you before…you were the boy who was bitten—" Curt said shaking it with his non robotic hand.

"By the science bug yeah." Jaden finishes.

"Now we won't overdo it the first day. Eddy will show you around the lab but the real work starts tomorrow." Martha said as Eddie led them away.

"So any questions?" Eddie asks.

"Uh what does this job pay?" Jaden asks.

"Jaden you're a high school intern with no experience." Eddie said.

"Aw man." Jaden said before Gwen looks at him concerned.

After the tour they were walking to the bus stop.

"Why the sudden need for extra cash?" Gwen asks.

"The bills are coming in. Mom's handling them okay but we're not exactly at our best. If I can bring in even a little money to help at home it'll make things easier for us." Jaden said.

"Jaden you need to stop worrying about others and think about yourself for once." Gwen said turning to him. "You're no good to anyone if you're working yourself to death for money."

"But what am I supposed to do?" Jaden asks.

"Just try to handle it one problem at a time. You can do this Jaden." Gwen said walking onto the bus.

"If only being Spider-Man could pay well." Jaden sighs when suddenly a newspaper flew in and hit him in the face. Ripping it off he saw an article for the Daily Bugle. "Photographer wanted, pics of Spider-Man in action." It read.

Pausing Jaden looks around. "If only I could get a girlfriend." Jaden pauses hoping for another miracle but nothing happened. "Well it was worth a shot. Guess I gotta find one of those on my own." Jaden shrugs before walking away.

That night, Norman was coming out of limo at OSCORP.

"Osborn!" Looking up Norman saw Vulture flying in.

Gasping Norman gets back in the car. "Drive! Drive!"

"You can't escape me!" Vulture said flying after him.

"My thoughts exactly." Spider-Man said coming out of hiding and swung after them.

Suddenly flying in, Montana and the other hitman were in a helicopter flying after Spider-Man.

"Target sighted at last known location. Boys, let's squash us a bug." Montana said.

As Vulture flew in towards the car, Spider-Man swings in.

"Hey Bird Brain!" Turning around Vulture sees Spider-Man swing in and kick him in the face making him fly backwards.

"You again?" Vulture growls.

"Anyone ever tell you you're too old for dressing up?" Spider-Man asks firing a web at him, but once it hit Vulture flew off pulling Spider-Man with him.

"Whoa!" Spider-Man said as he ran along the rooftops trying to hold on.

"This has gotta be the weirdest gig the boss has ever thrown at us. We are flying with the freaks. I got no idea what that big bird is up to, but I am mighty glad he's keeping the bug busy. Target locked." Montana clicks a button and a net shoots out.

"What the?" Spider-Man gasps as his spider-sense goes off. Turning around the net latches onto him causing him to plummet onto a landing platform and allowing Vulture to fly off.

Struggling Spider-Man crashes down on it groaning in pain.

"Ox, Fancy Dan you're up." Monata said as both men climbed off.

Breaking out of the net, Spider-Man looks to see Fancy Dan leap out and kick him into Ox's bearhug.

"Geez big guy if you wanted a hug so badly all you had to do was ask." Spider-Man growls trying to break free.

Drawing a staff, Fancy Dan charges at him.

Acting quickly Spider-Man fires a web at Ox's face blinding him allowing Spider-Man to break out of the hold and judo throw him.

Leaping over his comrade Fancy Dan swung his staff making Spider-Man jump back.

Spider-Man fires multiple webs but Fancy Dan swats them away while Ox gets back up.

Spider-Man was about to step back when the helicopter fired a laser stopping him.

"No turning away. These boys need a workout." Montana said.

"Okay who the heck are you guys?" Spider-Man asks seeing his was cornered.

Down below, Norman was looking for any signs of Vulture.

"I think we lost him." Norman said when suddenly Vulture's wings pierced through the roof of the car.

"No!" Spider-Man gasps seeing he was in trouble.

Turning to the Enforcers, Spider-Man took a fighting stance.

Grinning Fancy Dan swings his staff at him but Spider-Man dodges it and kicks the staff out of his hands shocking him.

Firing two webs they wrapped around Fancy Dan allowing Spider-Man to throw him into the wall.

"I do not have time for this!" Spider-Man said running to escape when Ox leaps in and tackles him off the edge with the helicopter right behind them.

Growling Spider-Man moved his feet towards the building and thanks to his powers he was able to stop while Ox was thrown off him.

Firing a web they latched onto Ox's hands.

"I know you're strong but I wouldn't recommend breaking the only thing keeping you from falling." Spider-Man said wrapping the web around a flagpole.

"You're really making the Enforcers look bad! I can't have that!" Montana said.

"You guys are doing that to yourselves!" Spider-Man said swinging away to save Norman.

Ripping off the roof, Vulture glares him down.

"Apologize!" Vulture orders.

"Never!" Norman said when Spider-Man leaps in and grabs Vulture.

"Leave him alone!" Spider-Man said as Vulture threw him off.

"Why do you defend that thief, Osborn?" Vulture asks as Spider-Man swings in.

'Because I won't let Harry lose his dad like I lost mine.' Spider-Man thought when Montana flew in.

As he fired lasers at him, Spider-Man lets go and lands on Vulture's back.

"Hope you don't mind a carpool!" Spider-Man said as Vulture tried to shake him off.

"There! The Parking Structure! Go!" Norman orders as they drove inside escaping.

"No! This is all your fault!" Vulture said turning to Spider-Man who leaps off.

With two flying enemies after him, Spider-Man ran up a tall skyscraper.

"Time to kill turn birds with one stone." Spider-Man said as Vulture flew in.

Leaping off Spider-Man kicks Vulture making him smash into the window before swinging around towards the helicopter.

Montana tried to fire but Spider-Man dropped out of view.

"Where did he go?" Montana asks when Vulture recovered and saw Spider-Man clinging to the helicopter from below.

"Did you really think you could hide from me there?" Vulture asks.

"You weren't the one I was hiding from." Spider-Man leaps off and lands on Vulture before firing a web allowing them to swing in and Vulture's wings smashed into the helicopter destroying them and making the helicopter plummet.

"My wings!" Vulture gasps.

"Are clipped! Bye-Bye Birdie!" Spider-Man said delivering a punch.

When the cops showed up, Vulture, Fancy Dan and Ox were tied up in webs but Montana had managed to escape.

Back at Jaden's house, he was walking to the front door.

"New school year is supposed to bring tons of surprises. Well these definitely were." Jaden sighs when he opens the door to see Maya waiting for him. "Mom?" Jaden gasps.

"Jaden do you have any idea how late it is?" Maya asks.

"I-I'm sorry mom." Jaden sighs.

"It's almost midnight." Maya said as Jaden put his bag down. "When you're this late you call me."

"Yes, Mom I understand. Just had a rough day." Jaden sighs.

"I know things haven't been easy, but we'll get through this. You can handle school and whatever else life throws at you, but I want you to make sure you have everything under control." Maya said.

"I will mom." Jaden nods.

"The school year just started and you're already working on all this. Take it easy, you're not Superman." Maya smirks.

"No…I guess I'm not." Jaden smiles.

"How about a quick bite? You must be starving." Maya offers.

"That sounds great mom." Jaden said following her to the kitchen.

His first day back might have been a challenge but Maya was right, he was gonna get better.