Volume I: Homecoming
Note: This is the 4th chapter of Volume I, it will explore the homecoming dance and Peter trying to determine who the Kingpin is, while the whole city turns against Spider-Man. Gwen has a run-in with Spider-Man as well.
It's early in the morning before school, the day of the homecoming dance. Peter and MJ are hanging out together in Peter's room.
"It's a bit early for a science experiment don't you think, Tiger?" MJ asks as she sees Peter mixing and stirring a batch of chemicals together.
"It's not a science experiment. I'm just making more web fluid since I'm about to run out," Peter explains.
"You mean that stuff that you shoot when you swing around the city and while fighting, it doesn't come out of you?" MJ is curious.
"Of course not! That would be totally gross. No, I have to make this webbing synthetically, then I load it up into this cartridge which I load into my webshooters that are on my wrist," Peter explains showing MJ both the web cartridges and the webshooters.
"Ohhhhh, that makes a lot more sense now" MJ says.
"Alright done with the web fluid, now I have to take these pictures into the Bugle today that I took last night," Peter says.
"Oh, I didn't know you went out last night," MJ starts.
"Yeah, I did. Earlier this week I found out that this guy named Kingpin was the one who ordered Hammerhead to set those explosives off at the police station where Gwen was almost killed. I tried to find out who this Kingpin guy is, but all of his goons either don't know or are too scared to give him up," Peter says to MJ.
"Alright Tiger, I'm going to head out to school to study for the math quiz we have today, why don't you see if Gwen is up? She could go to the Bugle with you if you want some company," MJ says as she leaves for school.
Peter picks up his phone and calls Gwen, hoping she is awake by now.
"Peter? It's only like 5:45 in the morning why are you calling so early?"
Sorry if I woke you up Gwen, but I'm about to head over to the Bugle to drop off some more photos for them. I was wondering if you'd like to walk with me over there?"
"What about Liz? Did she say no?"
"I didn't ask her. You were the first person on my mind this morning."
"Pete I'd love to go with you. Give me like 5 minutes to get ready and I'll meet you outside my place."
"Awesome Gwen. I'll be at your place in a few," Peter says as he hangs up the phone.
Gwen steps out of her house at 5:53 AM and sees Peter standing outside in blue jeans, a red polo shirt, and a leather jacket.
"Hi Pete. You look good. Are you excited about homecoming tonight with Liz?" Gwen asks as they start to walk towards the Daily Bugle.
"I don't know. I'm just super nervous. I mean Liz is like the most popular girl at school and I'm me. What if I screw it up?" Peter is anxious about homecoming tonight.
"Peter. Liz asked you out because she likes you for who you are. Don't try to pretend to be someone you're not. Be yourself" Gwen tells Peter.
"Thanks Gwen, I'm lucky to have you in my life," Peter smiles.
Gwen blushes back at Peter and can't stop thinking about him.
"So Pete, can I see the pictures you took of Spider-Man that we're taking to the Bugle together?" Gwen asks.
"Yeah of course! What do you think?" Peter shows Gwen his photos of Spider-Man.
"Pete these are amazing! I didn't know you were such a good photographer. How'd you get these pictures?" Gwen is surprised by Peter's photography skills.
"Oh, well after Spider-Man defeated Shocker I asked him if I could take photos of him and Spider-Man agreed," Peter lies, knowing that he and Spider-Man are the same person.
"Peter" Gwen says with worry in her voice.
"Yeah?" Peter asks.
"Spider-Man is a hero, but he goes into danger risking his life for others. I just want you to be safe Pete," Gwen says.
"Gwen, thank you for looking out for me. I promise I'll be careful," Peter says.
Gwen smiles and is grateful to have Peter in her life.
Peter and Gwen arrive at the Daily Bugle as the morning paper is about to go out.
"Jonah! I have some more pictures of Spider-Man for you!" Peter calls out.
"Let me see those!" Jonah says.
"Peter these are dynamite. Great job!" Robbie Robertson says looking over Jonah's shoulder.
"Parker these are excellent! Spider-Man assaulting innocents. I'll pay you the usual freelancer fee."
"Actually, I'd like a job…" Peter starts.
"Nonsense! You're still in high school. Freelancing is the best thing for a kid your age. Ms. Brant! Give Parker his check and then get to school," Jonah orders.
"Hey Pete, here you go. Gwen? What are you doing here? Is Pete giving you the tour?" Betty says as she hands Peter his check.
"Yeah, well Peter invited me this morning and well, here I am. It's pretty cool seeing where Pete works," Gwen says to Betty.
A few hours later Kingpin is in his office reading the morning paper.
"Spider-Man" Kingpin growls. "We need to destroy him permanently."
"Perhaps we should start with the boy who keeps taking pictures of Spider-Man. Peter Parker," James Wesley, the personal assistant to the Kingpin, suggests.
"Wesley! Pull up everything you have on Peter Parker. Spider-Man has cost me thousands of dollars in revenue. It's time to make this Spider-Man pay," Kingpin says angrily.
"Here you go sir. Peter Parker is a 15-year-old boy who goes to Midtown High School in Queens. He has good grades and is at the top of his class. He attended that science exposition you sponsored nearly a month ago. Midtown High is hosting their homecoming dance tonight as well," Wesley says.
"Alright keep Peter Parker on surveillance 24/7. Update me every day. This kid knows something about Spider-Man. It's time we find out exactly what that is. Also call Dmitri and tell him to frame Spider-Man, effective immediately. Perhaps we can turn the city against the hero and convince him to give up.
"Dmitri? You mean the Chameleon?" Wesley asks.
"Yes, call him and have him frame Spider-Man immediately.
It's lunchtime at Midtown High now as Peter is looking for a place to sit down and eat.
"Petey! Liz walks over to Peter.
"Oh Liz! Hey what's going on?" Peter asks.
"I just wanted to talk to you about something Petey" Liz says.
"What is it?"
"I can't wait for tonight Petey," Liz smiles.
Peter looks at Liz and sees Gwen with Mary Jane and Harry in the background.
Gwen, why does my world just slow down and come to a complete stop when I see you," Peter asks himself.
"Peter!" Liz screams.
"Huh? Sorry I wasn't paying attention. My mind was elsewhere Liz.
"Yeah clearly," Liz said rolling her eyes.
"Look Liz I'm sorry, I can't wait to go to the dance with you tonight. We're meeting here at 7 PM, right?"
"Petey, I'm sorry for getting angry. I'm just nervous about tonight. I want it to be perfect for us" Liz explains.
"Liz. I'm super nervous about it too. But I said yes because I want to be your boyfriend," Peter says with a nervous smile.
"Petey, you always know what to say. I love you," Liz says.
"Uhhh thanks Liz," Peter says as he's looking at Gwen again. "Listen I gotta talk to Mary Jane about our uhhh math quiz next period. See you at 7 tonight, Liz!"
Peter runs over to Mary Jane and goes to talk to her as Peter needs to talk to her.
"MJ, Harry. Hi Gwen. How are you? I mean, are you like doing okay Gwen, with everything? Sorry, that's not what I came here to say. MJ, can I talk to you for a second, alone please?" Peter asks.
(Outside in the hallway)
"Peter what's going on? I've never seen you this flustered before. Are you okay?" MJ is concerned for Peter.
"MJ, I don't know what's wrong with me. It's like every time I see Gwen my entire world stops and my heart it… I don't know, but there's no feeling like it," Peter starts.
"Tiger, do you think you might have feelings for Gwen?" MJ asks.
"I-I don't know, maybe," Peter says.
"Peter, look at me. You need to figure out if you like Gwen or if you like Liz. I can't decide for you," MJ says.
"Thanks MJ. I uh should get ready for class. But you should know, before I came over and embarrassed myself in front of Gwen, I told Liz that I came over to ask you some stuff about our math quiz next period. Please don't tell her," Peter pleads.
"Oh Peter, I know Liz is great and all but you and Gwen are perfect for each other," Mary Jane says to herself after Peter leaves.
MJ goes back to the lunchroom and sees Gwen eating with Harry.
"Hey, is Pete doing okay?" Gwen asks.
Before MJ can answer Liz comes over to Mary Jane to talk to her.
"Hey Mary Jane. Is Peter okay? He's just been acting strange lately" Liz is worried for Peter.
"Liz don't worry about Peter. He's just really worried about this math quiz coming up next period. He just came over to talk to me with some questions about the math quiz," MJ lies.
"Thanks MJ. I'm glad you two are friends with each other," Liz smiles as she leaves the table.
"MJ, what was that about? Why did you lie to Liz? Peter has never needed help with math before in his life," Gwen says.
"Yeah, I'm with Gwen here. I don't buy that Pete needed math help," Harry chimes in.
The school bell rings as lunch is over and Gwen and MJ head to their math class, while Harry has to head over to his poetry class.
"See you two later. I hope Pete is doing okay," Harry says as he's leaving."
"Okay MJ, please tell me what's up with Peter," Gwen says.
"Okay, but just don't tell Peter I told you this, but he's struggling and is conflicted with having feelings for another girl that's not Liz and he asked for my advice.
"Oh" Gwen says sadly looking down to the ground.
"Gwen" MJ says smiling.
Gwen looks up and sees MJ with a huge grin on her face.
"MJ, what's with the smile?" Gwen asks.
"Have you told Peter how you feel about him?" MJ is curious.
"No, I want to, but I don't know why I'm scared to tell him," Gwen says.
"Tell him Gwen, before it's too late," MJ wants Gwen to confess her feelings to Peter.
It's 2:30 in the afternoon at the 19th precinct, and George Stacy is doing his own investigation of Spider-Man and his real identity. George Stacy picks up his copy of the Daily Bugle on his desk and starts to read the front page and sees a picture of Spider-Man photographed by Peter Parker.
"Peter Parker how do you keep getting these perfect shots of Spider-Man?" George Stacy wondered.
Lieutenant Yuri Watanabe bursts in the door at that moment to deliver some news to Captain Stacy.
"Yuri? What is it?" George Stacy asks.
"Captain, you said you wanted me to keep you updated on the status of the Dennis Carradine case. You know the guy who killed Ben Parker? Well, the trial is officially over, he's been convicted for life in prison," Yuri says.
"Thank you for the update, Yuri. I'll be out in a moment," George says.
"Yes, Captain. Too bad we never found out who that guy was who beat Carradine up" Yuri responds as she leaves George Stacy's office.
"All we know is that Carradine says the death of Ben Parker meant something personal to the guy in the red mask who beat him up," George Stacy said to himself.
George thinks about it for a few more minutes and his thoughts eventually lead back to Peter Parker and Spider-Man's connection.
"Could it be that Spider-Man and this guy in the red mask that beat up Carradine are the same person? It's certainly plausible. But why is Peter Parker in the center of all of this? It's his uncle that was murdered and now he's able to take perfect pictures of Spider-Man. Can Spider-Man really be Peter Parker under that mask?" George Stacy wonders.
George Stacy is snapped out of his thoughts for the moment as he sees his daughter is calling him on the phone.
"Hey Gwennie, what's going on? Has school ended for you today?"
"Hi Dad. Yeah, school just ended for me today. Is it alright if I come by the police precinct? I need to talk to you."
"Of course, Gwen. But before you go, I have a quick question for you. It's about Peter Parker.
That's actually why I wanted to talk to you Dad."
"Ah I see. You can talk to me all about him when you get here Gwennie. But my question is how did you know Peter was at the scene of the Shocker and Spider-Man when they fought each other?"
"Oh well, MJ told me that Peter was tutoring Liz at the Coffee Bean which is right where Shocker attacked. Then Liz called me saying when the explosions started happening Peter told here to get out of there and to safety and Peter disappeared."
"Disappeared?"
"Yeah, he disappeared and then Spider-Man showed up and yelled at Liz to get to safety as well. Peter disappeared so he could get photos of Spider-Man in action. I told Pete this morning to be more careful next time though."
Thanks, Gwennie. I'll see you in a little bit," George says as he hangs up the phone.
My god Peter Parker, you really are Spider-Man. You're a hero," George Stacy thinks to himself.
It's 3:30 in the afternoon as Peter is swinging across the Queensboro bridge as Spider-Man to head to the Empire State Building to try to get his mind off Liz and Gwen when Peter's phone starts to ring. Peter doesn't recognize the number.
"Hello? Who is this?" Peter asks as he stops on a rooftop in Midtown to answer his phone.
"Hi Peter, this is George Stacy, Gwen's dad."
Mr. Stacy? Hi, how are you doing? How did you get my number?
I called your Aunt May and asked her for it because I have a question for you. Can you get into contact with Spider-Man since you take his pictures and meet me at the police precinct? I have something I want to talk to him about."
"Yeah. I think I should be able to do that. He'll be there soon," Peter says as he hangs up. "Wow, I wonder what Captain Stacy wants to say to Spider-Man. Whatever it is, it will help me to get my mind off things until homecoming later tonight."
Back at the 19th precinct Gwen Stacy arrives to see her father in his office looking at his computer at arrest reports.
"Hi Gwennie, how are you doing? How was school today?" George asks Gwen.
"It was okay today, Dad. It's just Peter…" Gwen starts.
Yuri bursts into the room.
"Captain! The Shocker is ready to be interrogated, but he's only willing to talk to you" Yuri says.
"Me? Why?" George asks.
"I dunno. He gave off some nonsense about you being the only cop in the NYPD that isn't under the Kingpin's influence" Yuri explains.
"Huh. Well let's go see what he wants. Gwennie, I'll be back soon and then we can talk about Peter, I promise" George says.
Gwen is alone in George Stacy's office and notices her dad's phone has a text notification that says: Waiting on the rooftop.
"Wait that's Pete's number. Is he here? Maybe I can go up and talk to him and finally tell him how I feel," Gwen says.
(On the rooftop)
As Gwen opens the door to the roof, she's surprised to see the hero who saved her life a month ago.
"Spider-Man? I didn't expect you to be here," Gwen says.
"Gwen?" Spider-Man says as he's surprised to see Gwen here. "I mean uh Miss Stacy, I didn't expect you to be here either."
"Spider-Man, you know who I am?" Gwen asks.
"Well, no not really. Peter Parker, he's mentioned you a few times. You're one of the most important people in his life," Spider-Man says.
Gwen has an uneasy look on her face as she was hoping to meet Peter here.
"You got something on your mind?" Spider-Man asks.
"That obvious?" Gwen says.
"You need someone to talk to? I'm supposed to meet your father here in a few minutes."
"Your voice… it feels so familiar, like I should know who you are" Gwen is curious about Spider-Man.
"It's okay. I get that a lot. What's going on Gwen?" Spider-Man says.
"It's Peter Parker. We've been best friends for as long as I can remember. But that's not enough for me anymore. After you saved my life, Peter visited me in the hospital, and I started to have feelings for him," Gwen confesses to Spider-Man.
Gwen doesn't know that underneath the mask she is speaking to Peter Parker right now.
"So, you like this Parker guy?" Spider-Man asks.
"Yes. I wanted to tell him how I felt last week before homecoming, but I was too late. Now Peter is dating this beautiful girl named Liz and all I can do I respect their relationship. The crazier part is… I still love Peter Parker with every fiber of my being," Gwen admits.
With those words Spider-Man can feel his heartbeat through his skin in a way that being with Liz never made him feel.
"Does Peter know how you feel about him?" Spider-Man asks Gwen.
"No, but I don't think he feels the same way for me," Gwen says.
"That's not true," Spider-Man replies immediately.
"How do you know that?" Gwen asks.
"I just know it, Gwen. Peter really cares about you," Spider-Man says with sincerity in his voice.
"Thank you, Spider-Man" Gwen says as she hugs Spider-Man, not knowing that it's secretly Peter.
George Stacy came up to the roof and sees Spider-Man, who he now knows is Peter Parker, and Gwen alone together.
"Spider-Man" George Stacy says, startling both Gwen and Spider-Man.
"Sorry Dad. I'll go down to your office and wait for you there," Gwen smiles.
"Gwen, do you know who Spider-Man is?" George asks.
"No, she doesn't. We were just talking about her friend, Peter Parker" Spider-Man answers.
"Thank you for talking to her Spider-Man," George Stacy says.
"Anytime Captain. So, what was the reason you called me here?" Spider-Man asks.
"Hammerhead. We got word from an informant in Hammerhead's gang that Hammerhead and his gang will be targeting Spider-Man tonight," George reveals.
"How is he going to target me? He doesn't know who I am or anything," Spider-Man says.
"You're correct in that regard. Nobody but a few know who you are under your mask. But that just means Hammerhead will go to the best next means of harming Spider-Man. He'll target your photographer. Peter Parker" George Stacy says.
"Parker has his homecoming dance tonight. I'll head over there and make sure he's safe" Spider-Man responds.
Spider-Man and George Stacy then hear a loud explosion coming from the bank across the street and a police dispatch comes out from George's walkie talkie.
"Attention all units, Spider-Man is currently robbing the bank south of Grand Central and is heading down 57th street. Proceed with extreme caution."
"Captain, I swear that wasn't me," Spider-Man says.
"Yuri get down there and see who this imposter is!" George Stacy ordered.
"Yes Captain! But how do you know for sure that its an imposter?" Yuri asks over the walkie.
"Because I'm talking with Spider-Man on the roof right now and he can't be in two places at once," George responds.
"Captain, I'm going to go down there and see who this guy is. It doesn't matter if he's trying to frame me or not. I can't let innocent lives be in jeopardy. I can't ever look the other way," Spider-Man says proudly as he leaps off the police precinct and towards the fake Spider-Man.
Spider-Man approaches the bank south of Grand Central right as his spider sense goes off and Peter flips onto the wall and off of it to continue swinging towards the bank.
"Did that police officer just shoot at me!" Spider-Man yelled out.
"Kid we need to have a talk," came a voice booming from above Spider-Man.
Spider-Man looks up and sees Iron Man flying towards him with Captain America behind him on a hover bike.
"Oh man, look I've always wanted to meet you guys, but this is not how I pictured it" Spider-Man says out loud.
"Spider-Man we thought you had the makings of a great hero. But I guess we were wrong," Iron Man says.
"No look, you guys don't understand. This wasn't me. I'm being framed," Spider-Man pleads his case to Iron Man and Captain America.
"Son, I'm sorry but we just saw you disappear into an alleyway with the money you just stole. Forgive us if we don't take you at your word right now," Captain America says.
"Please you have to believe me. I don't have time for this. Homecoming is tonight and I need to be there on time!" Spider-Man screams out to the heroes.
"What're you in high school?" Iron Man asks.
"Yes! I'm a sophomore and—oh my god," Spider-Man says as he notices a window washer about to fall several blocks away.
Spider-Man immediately fires a webline and heads towards the window washer.
"He's running! International sign of guilt," Iron Man says to Captain America.
"Son, stop now or things are gonna get ugly," Captain America says.
"Come on, I'm almost there, window washer guy," Spider-Man says to himself.
Before Spider-Man is able to get there the window washer loses his grip on the platform that he was holding onto.
"NOOO! Spider-Man screams, as he sees the window washer falling.
While dodging a repulsor blast from Iron Man and Captain America's shield, Spider-Man sprints across a building at superhuman speed and jumps down using all the strength he has to get to the window washer in time.
"I got you!" Spider-Man says as he catches the window washer.
Right as Spider-Man fires another webline his spider sense explodes in the back of his mind.
"Can't move out of the way of whatever's gonna hit me or I could drop the window washer," Spider-Man says to himself.
Spider-Man then gets hit from behind by Iron Man's repulsor blast and is just able to web the window washer to a nearby building before Spider-Man hits the ground hard knocking him out.
"Cap did he just…" Iron Man starts.
"Save that window washer's life while we were too busy trying to catch him? He chose to save the window washer's life rather than get away. I'm starting to think Spider-Man was right about being framed and we were too quick to judge," Captain America says.
Police officers instantly begin to surround the unconscious Spider-Man and start to place handcuffs on him.
"Hey! Leave him be!" Captain America yells as he throws his shield down at the police officers trying to carry the unconscious Spider-Man into one of the police cruisers.
Spider-Man starts to wake up as he sees both Iron Man and Captain America standing by him and Peter tries to stand up.
"Easy son, you just took a hell of a fall that would have killed any normal man," Captain America says.
"The window washer! Is he—"
"Alive. You saved him kid. We're sorry about what happened," Iron Man apologizes.
"Do you at least believe me now, about being framed?" Spider-Man asks the two heroes.
"Son. You just risked your life to save someone from falling with no regard about whether you made it out okay or not. That's a textbook hero in my book. We believe you," Captain America says.
"Thank you. Owwww, my arm. What time is it?" Spider-Man asks.
"6:07 PM, what's it to you?" Iron Man asks.
"Oh my god I'm gonna be late. Homecoming starts at 7. Thank you for not letting the police arrest me. I owe you guys one," Spider-Man says as he swings away.
"See ya around kid… Cap he'd be perfect for the team, and you know it" Iron Man says.
"Tony, he's only in high school. Let's push that idea down the road for a few years," Captain America says.
Spider-Man swings home injured, bruised, and battered as he calls MJ.
"MJ!"
"Peter! Oh my god, are you alright? I saw you on tv, fighting Captain America and Iron Man and the police were shooting at you!"
MJ, I'll explain everything. Can you meet me in my bedroom right now?"
"Yeah, I'll head over there right now."
Spider-Man is home now and opens the window to his room and finds MJ there waiting for him.
"MJ!" Spider-Man says as he pulls off his mask to reveal a bruised and bloodied Peter Parker.
"Peter! Your face! What happened?"
"I was swinging through Manhattan trying to take my mind off Gwen and Liz. Then Captain Stacy called me and said he wanted to meet with me. So I went to the precinct but Gwen was there, so I talked with her as Spider-Man.
"Peter…" MJ says.
"Look she doesn't know I'm Spider-Man, but she told me, as Spider-Man that she loves Peter and it made me feel things for Gwen that I haven't felt with Liz before" Spider-Man continues.
"Tiger, I think you have feelings for Gwen," MJ says.
"I think I might, MJ" Peter says as he starts to take off the rest of his suit.
MJ can't help but look at Peter's abs and muscles.
"MJ! Eyes up here," Peter says.
"Sorry Tiger, it's just I never noticed how good you look," MJ smiles.
"Anyways, eventually Gwen left, and I started talking with Captain Stacy. He told me that Hammerhead might attack me at the homecoming dance since I've been taking pictures of Spider-Man. Apparently, my actions as Spider-Man have put a huge dent into his criminal empire," Peter smiles.
"Wait Tiger, that's tonight," MJ is worried for Peter.
"I know, MJ. I'm going to need to take my Spidey suit to homecoming tonight. But after that a report on the police dispatch that I robbed a bank. But I was with Captain Stacy at the time, so it couldn't be me, which means there's an imposter running around the city as me right now" Peter continues.
"Oh my god. That's not good," MJ is becoming increasingly more worried for Peter.
"No, it's not. Then Captain America and Iron tried to stop me because they thought I was a criminal and then I called you," Peter finishes catching MJ up with everything that happened.
"Tiger, what are you going to do?" MJ asks.
"Well first I'm gonna shower, get cleaned up, and meet Liz at homecoming tonight," Peter says.
"Oh yeah? How are you gonna explain those sweet bruises?" MJ jokes.
"Come up with an amazing excuse as usual," Peter smiles.
Peter has finished cleaning up for homecoming tonight, as he is wearing a nice black suit with a bow tie and brown dress shoes.
"MJ, how do I look?" Peter asks.
Tiger, you look amazing. Minus the bruises of course," MJ teases.
"Alright it's time to go meet Liz," Peter smiles as he leaves the house.
Shortly after Peter leaves his house to go meet up Liz at homecoming, Gwen walks over to Peter's house and knocks on the door.
"Gwen?" MJ says as she opens the door.
"MJ what are you doing here?" Gwen asks.
"I was helping Peter get ready and cleaned up for homecoming. He just left to go see Liz," MJ says.
"Oh, I'm too late" Gwen says with a sad face. "I came over to finally tell Peter how I felt, but he's gone now, and I don't want to ruin his homecoming night."
"Gwen there will be more chances. Tell him Monday at school," MJ says with a smile on her face.
It's 7:00 PM at Midtown High School as Homecoming is about to start and Liz is looking for Peter to show up.
"Liz!" Peter yells running up to her.
Liz Allen is dressed up in a beautiful light blue dress and did her hair especially for Peter tonight.
"Petey! I'm so glad you came," Liz says as she hugs Peter.
"Of course, I came! I've been looking forward to tonight for a while now," Peter says.
"Petey! What happened! Your face is all bruised up. Did Flash do this to you?" Liz is worried about Peter.
"Oh, well I kinda fell down several flights of stairs at the Bugle, but I really didn't want to cancel tonight because I want to spend tonight with you Liz," Peter smiles.
"Petey, I love you" Liz says as she embraces Peter in a hug.
Peter just smiles and hugs Liz back. Peter is happy that he's with Liz, but in the back of his mind he feels like he's missing something.
"Petey, let's go inside I'm freezing," Liz says.
Peter obliges and heads inside to the school gym where the homecoming dance is.
Just on the other side of the school Hammerhead and his crew are there preparing to take action against Peter Parker for the actions of Spider-Man against his criminal empire.
"Alright everyone, it's been confirmed that Peter Parker is here tonight and we're going kidnap him and figure out what he knows about Spider-Man. Everyone understand?" Hammerhead says.
Meanwhile on the dance floor Peter and Liz can't stop looking into each other's eyes.
"Liz today hasn't been a very good day for me, but being here with you tonight. Dancing with you and looking at how amazing you look tonight already makes this the best day of the week," Peter smiles at Liz.
Peter's spider-sense goes off as Hammerhead bursts into the gymnasium.
"Petey, I—" Liz starts.
Suddenly gunshots ring throughout the gymnasium fired off by Hammerhead and his gang.
"Liz, you have to get out of here now, please" Peter says.
"Where is Peter Parker?" Hammerhead yells.
"Peter, not without you," Liz is worried for Peter.
Peter looks on the wall close to him and sees a fire alarm.
"Liz, I'm right behind you. Trust me" Peter says as he pulls the fire alarm causing all the students to evacuate the gym.
"Okay Petey, I trust you. I'll see you outside," Liz says as she goes up to Peter and kisses him on the lips.
Peter and Hammerhead are now alone in the gymnasium.
"That was pretty smart thinking there, kid. Getting everyone out of here so no one gets hurt. But here's how tonight is gonna go for you. Step 1. We're going to take you to a classroom and figure out what you know about Spider-Man. Step 2. We're going to hurt you and make you wish you were dead," Hammerhead says.
Several minutes later Peter is escorted at gunpoint into the chemistry lab room. Peter reaches into his pocket and dials George Stacy's number without taking his phone out of his pocket.
George Stacy is at the Stacy residence now and picks up the phone.
"Peter, hello? Are you okay?" George asks.
…
George doesn't hear anything on the other end of the line.
"Hmmm, maybe if I put it on speaker," George wonders.
" Mr. Parker, now we have some questions for you about your association with Spider-Man. Okay but what if I have some questions for you."
George immediately recognizes the voice as Hammerhead's voice and hears that Peter is doing his best to stall for time.
George immediately hops onto his police dispatch.
"Yuri grab as many units as you have and meet me at Midtown High School. We have a hostage situation involving Hammerhead," George says.
"At a high school, what could Hammerhead possibly want?" Yuri asks.
"Peter Parker, the kid who takes photos of Spider-Man for the Daily Bugle," George answers.
Gwen overhears her dad on his police dispatch.
"Dad, is Peter okay?" Gwen says from behind George.
"Gwen? I didn't mean for you to hear that. But no, he's been taken hostage at the homecoming dance tonight by Hammerhead. But I'm going to get him back. You're not to leave this house and go looking for him. Do you understand, Gwen?" George asks, as he knows how much Peter means to Gwen.
"Yes Dad," Gwen says with tears in her eyes.
"Gwennie, I promise I'm going to get him back for you," George says as he leaves the house.
"Please be okay Peter," Gwen says as tears start streaming down her face.
5 minutes later, Peter is still being questioned by Hammerhead when Peter notices some left over magnesium strips from the chemistry lab earlier this week. This gives Peter an idea of how to escape. Peter also sees some sirens across the street as he turns his attention back to Hammerhead.
"Who is the Spider-Man?" Hammerhead yells at Peter.
"Dude, I've told you like 85 times at this point. I have no clue. I was just lucky being in the right place at the right time taking his picture," Peter smiles back at Hammerhead looking at the sirens coming to the school.
"Captain Stacy, thank you" Peter says in his mind.
"Hey whoa, what's that?" Peter says, pointing to the door.
"What?" Hammerhead and his gang said as they all looked towards the door.
With Hammerhead and his gang distracted, Peter quickly grabs the magnesium strips on the table next to him in the chemistry lab and the lighter as well.
"Hammerhead before you kill me and everything, I'd like to ask you a question before I die if that's alright with you" Peter smiles.
"Very well, since you will be dying tonight, after you just made me look like a fool earlier," Hammerhead says.
"What happens when you add oxygen to magnesium?" Peter asks earnestly.
"You some kind of science geek or something?" Hammerhead is confused.
"Yes! And the answer is magnesium oxide," Peter says with his eyes closed while lighting the magnesium strips together.
With the magnesium strips lit by fire, oxygen is consumed by the combustion and creates a blinding light, temporary blinding Hammerhead and his men. Peter with his eyes still closed uses his spider sense and escapes from the chemistry lab room into the hallway.
"AHHH! I can't see! Kill Peter Parker now!" Hammerhead yells.
Peter opens his eyes as he's running through the empty hallways of Midtown High as fast as he can at superhuman speed. Finally, Peter is able to exit the school and immediately sees George Stacy and Yuri.
"Mr. Stacy," Peter said exhausted and out of breath from running and his other adventures as Spider-Man today. "Thank god you're here. It's Hammerhead, he's inside the school."
"We're well aware Mr. Parker. Why don't you head on home, since you're no longer being held against your will," Yuri says.
"Yeah, good point," Peter agrees.
Peter walks a few blocks away until he can find a private spot to change into Spider-Man.
"Hammerhead isn't gonna stop coming after me until I can put him behind bars. It's time to ends this, for good," Spider-Man says to himself.
Several minutes later, Spider-Man is swinging back towards Midtown High School to take down Hammerhead.
"Heads up! Big time superhero coming through," Spider-Man says as he swings over George Stacy and back into the school.
Spider-Man roams the school for a little bit until he finds Hammerhead staggering his way out of the chemistry lab.
"Hi! I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news but you need a hall pass to be wondering out here," Spider-Man jokes.
"Who said that?" Hammerhead yells.
"Hammerhead, he still can't see," Spider-Man says in his thoughts.
"Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man of course," Spider-Man yells back.
Spider-Man then fires a webline and uses all the momentum he can muster and executes the Martelo de Negativa move and knocks Hammerhead out cold.
"Thank god he still couldn't see. Otherwise, I'd never been able to take him out that easily," Spider-Man says.
Spider-Man proceeds to web up Hammerhead and carry him outside to the police. Once Spider-Man steps outside he's surrounded by the police immediately.
"Spider-Man this is Commissioner Jean DeWolfe of the New York Police! You're under arrest for both robbery and murder," came a voice from a helicopter above.
"Oh, come on! I just captured Hammerhead for you guys! Spider-Man yelled back.
"Spider-Man! Freeze!" said a police officer right next to him.
Peter's spider sense goes of immediately as soon as that first police officer fired his gun the rest of them joined in. Spider-Man leaps into the air and onto the other side of the school where all the other students are, after being evacuated from the building earlier tonight. Spider-Man quickly changes back into Peter Parker so he can avoid be chased by the police from the rest of the night.
"Peter!" Liz screams as she comes up to Peter and hugs him.
"Liz! I'm so glad you're alright," Peter says to Liz.
"Petey, I'm just happy you're alright," Liz says.
"Hey Liz, I'm sorry that our whole night got ruined, but if you're up for it I'd like to walk you home," Peter says.
"I'd love that," Liz says.
Both Liz and Peter walk hand in hand off into the night together and stronger than ever before.
Peter has now dropped Liz off at home and starts to head back to his own home when he gets a call from George Stacy.
"Peter did you make it out of there, alright?"
"Yes, I did. Thank you for saving me tonight Mr. Stacy. I couldn't have done it without you," Peter is grateful for George Stacy.
"Anytime son, but the true hero tonight was Spider-Man," George Stacy says as he hangs up the phone.
"Wow, I'm actually happy to know I have at least one police officer on my side," Peter smiles.
It's 9:30 PM back at the Stacy residence. Gwen Stacy is in her bedroom thinking about Peter, when she receives a text from her father.
Peter is back home, alive and well. He's been through a great ordeal today Gwennie. I would wait to talk to him until Monday at school.
"Thank you, Dad, for everything," Gwen responded.
"Peter I'm so happy you're okay. I don't know what I'd do without you. I love you Peter Parker," Gwen says to herself as she goes to sleep for the night.
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