Volume I: Beginning of the End
Note: Gwen Stacy still struggles with coming up with a romantic gesture for Peter, while Peter on the other hand finds himself spending more and more time as Spider-Man looking for the identity of the Kingpin.
It's snowing outside on December 3rd, Spider-Man is looking down on the borough of Manhattan blanketed in a sheet of white, below. He's been patrolling the different boroughs of New York for the last 7 hours, looking for information on the Kingpin. Spider-Man looks to his left and sees the Rockefeller Center. People are ice skating down below; Peter remembers that he promised to meet Gwen there in 30 minutes. Across the street, Spider-Man hears sirens and the sounds of gunshots. Without thinking, Spider-Man runs across the rooftop and jumps towards the sirens below with only one thought on his mind, the Kingpin.
"Someone has to know who the Kingpin is. There's someone out there who knows, and I have to find them. But man, I'm so glad MJ stitched these thermal fabrics into my suit, otherwise I'd be freezing my ass out here. Speaking of MJ I should talk to her soon, it's been forever since we've talked to each other. I love Gwen, but I miss my friends too. Man, this superhero life-work balance is harder than I thought it would be" Spider-Man says to himself as he swings down to the scene below.
Gwen Stacy arrives at the Rockefeller Center for her ice skating date with Peter early, knowing Peter won't be there for another 20 minutes at least and decides to call her best friend, Mary Jane.
"Gwen? What's going on?"
"It's Peter. I-ever since he sent me that romantic voicemail telling me how much he loves me, it's like I love him more than I ever thought was possible. And lately he's been spending less and less time with me and more time as Spider-Man. Peter did the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me, and I've done nothing romantic in return. W-what if I'm a bad girlfriend? What if he doesn't love me anymore?"
"Gwen Stacy, Peter loves you more than anything in the universe. You two are about to go ice skating, right? Do something romantic for Peter today."
"I've been trying for weeks now to think of something romantic to do for him, but I can't think of anything."
"I actually have an idea about that."
Spider-Man looks at the scene down below as he's swinging and sees two cars. A police cruiser chasing a bruised and battered sedan that's recklessly driving over the icy streets and firing at the police cruiser. Spider-Man fires another webline and lands on top of the battered sedan and see 3 guys inside all armed with guns. Spider-Man rips the rear passenger side door off his hinges and tosses it aside, webbing it to a nearby building insuring that no innocent bystanders would be hurt.
"Hi! You guys do know you're supposed to drive on the right side of the road, right? I'm sure this is just a big misunderstanding," Spider-Man jokes as he grabs the man in the car closest to him and fires an impact web, webbing him against a nearby building.
"Spider-Man! Get out of here, you're only making things worse!" the police officer in the cruiser yells from his megaphone.
Spider-Man wall climbs across the car as it's speeding throughout Manhattan and rips the front passenger door off its hinges. Spider-Man fires a webline at a lamppost just in front of the speeding sedan and attaches the other end of the webline to the criminal's back. As the sedan speeds past the lamppost the criminal is ripped from his seat and sways under the lamppost that Spider-Man attached the webline to. Spider-Man looks ahead of him and sees 2 people crossing the street, that the sedan is barreling towards with the police cruiser right behind the sedan. Spider-Man does the math in his head. About 400 feet away from the crosswalk, the sedan is traveling over 60 miles an hour. Less than 5 seconds to save both people. Spider-Man fires two weblines towards the street in front of him and propels himself as fast as he can towards the person closest to him on the cross walk. Spider-Man grabs the first person in his arms and fires another webline up top on the rooftop edge of a nearby building swinging upwards to gain as much altitude as possible, so he doesn't hit the pavement. 3 seconds have passed. Spider-Man abruptly twists his body, with the first person he saved still in his arms, lets go of his webline, and fires another one down below. 4 seconds have passed. This webline connects with the 2nd person still crossing the street, as Spider-Man yanks on the webline as hard as he can, lifting the person up and out of harm's way. Still twisting his body in the air Spider-Man grabs the other person with his free arm and lands on a rooftop.
"Are you guys, okay? Anything hurt?" Spider-Man asks.
"No, I'm okay. Thanks for saving my life Spidey, I knew you were a hero" the first person says.
The second person doesn't say anything but runs up to Spider-Man and hugs him.
"If you need any medical help there's an urgent care clinic about 3 blocks south of here. I'm gonna go stop that car before it kills someone," Spider-Man jumps off the rooftop to re-join the car chase.
(Several moments later)
"Spider-Man fires a webline while twisting and contorting his body from the incoming gunfire, and lands on top of the sedan still being pursued by the police cruiser.
"Hi there! This is Spidey Uber delivering you to your most unwanted destination, the East River. Please place your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times," Spider-Man quips as he fires a webline forcing the car to turn right.
Spider-Man quickly rips the driver door off the car and wraps the criminal in webbing, careful not to web the criminal to the car seat. As the sedan plunges into the icy East River, Spider-Man grabs the criminal responsible for driving recklessly and swings him to safety. Spider-Man looks down below at the police cruiser which has halted to a stop, with the police officer looking up at Spider-Man. The webslinger flips down to the police officer with the driver of the sedan still webbed up in his arms and hands the criminal over to the police officer.
"Spider-Man, I saw what you did back there. Saving those two citizens, quick thinking back there. If not for you they'd be dead. Mind if I ask you a question?" the police officer says.
"Sure" Spider-Man replies.
The police officer folds his arm across his chest and looks intently at Spider-Man as he's thinking about his question. Spider-Man looks silently back at the police officer curious about what question he could have.
"Why do you do what you do? Especially when the NYPD has a task force out to capture you dead or alive right now?" the police officer asks.
I have these powers, and when I first got these powers, I looked the other way when I shouldn't have and someone very close to me died because of that. No one else should lose someone they care about because of my inaction to save them," Spider-Man says in a serious tone.
"I'm sorry about that Spidey, but those two people you saved tonight. They get to go home because of you, and I'm sorry for not being on your side in the first place. If you didn't save those kids, I-there's nothing I could have done about it," the police officer says.
"Thank you, having one less police officer shooting at me means a bunch, Officer…" Spider-Man is looking for a name to calls this police officer.
"Davis. Sergeant Jefferson Davis," the police officer tells Spider-Man.
"See you around Sergeant Davis. See if you can convince some of your boys in blue in work with me instead of shooting at me. I'd stick around, but I have a hot date I'm looking forward to," Spider-Man says thinking of Gwen.
Spider-Man's phone buzzes in his utility belt pocket. It's a text from Gwen. Spider-Man takes his phone out and reads the text. The text simply says I love you.
Spider-Man smiles, fires a webline, and swings off towards the Rockefeller Center where Gwen is waiting for him, leaving the sedan driver and Sergeant Davis behind contemplating with his thoughts on Spider-Man. After a few moments pass, Davis comes to a realization.
"You were right Miles, Spider-Man is a hero," Sergeant Davis says to himself.
"Mary Jane, that sounds amazing" Gwen tells Mary Jane over the phone.
"Anytime Gwen, what are best friends for."
"Here comes Peter now, I'll talk to you later MJ."
Peter runs up to Gwen who's sitting down at a table, putting her phone down as she starts to put on her ice skates. Peter notices Gwen is wearing a new white winter jacket that he's never seen before with red earmuffs as well. Peter himself is wearing a new black winter jacket that Aunt May recently got for him.
"Hi Gwen, you look beautiful" Peter stares at Gwen in her pretty blue eyes.
Gwen blushes and looks at Peter who sits down at the table right next to her. Gwen places her right hand on Peter's cheek and looks at Peter's ruffled brown hair and his brown eyes. Peter smiles at Gwen. To Gwen, Peter's smile is perfect. All of her worries melt away when Peter smiles at her, there is no place Gwen would rather be than with Peter Parker right now.
"I love you, Peter" Gwen says softly before she embraces Peter in a kiss.
The couple continues to kiss for a minute before Gwen separates her lips from Peter's lips. Gwen smiles back at Peter, thinking about the kiss they just shared together. Peter was taken by surprise from Gwen's kiss but once the kiss started, he never wanted it to stop.
"Gwen, I love you too," Peter smiles.
"Pete, did you like that? That kiss?" Gwen wonders and hopes Peter liked it.
"Gwen, I loved it. I actually never wanted our kiss to stop," Peter says.
Gwen blushes and looks at Peter's face. She can see part of her lipstick smeared onto Peter's face. Gwen immediately feels butterflies in her stomach when Peter says this to her and smiles shyly back at Peter.
"That can be arranged, but I think I'd want a little privacy next time if we aren't gonna stop kissing," Gwen flirts.
"Can't wait," Peter flirts.
(A little bit later)
Gwen and Peter both step onto the ice and start to ice skate holding each other's hands. Gwen is nervous since she's never been ice skating before. Peter hasn't ice skated before either, but he relies on his powers to help him maintain his balance while skating around the Rockefeller Center.
"Pete I-I'm scared, I don't want to fall," Gwen says.
Peter turns around on his skates, surprising himself and faces Gwen, holding both of her hands. Gwen's blue eyes looking up at Peter, full of love for her boyfriend. Peter's brown eyes look back at Gwen, full of love for his girlfriend.
"Gwendy, as long as you're with me you won't fall, I promise," Peter smiles.
Gwen looks back at Peter and blushes quite a bit. For the first time, Gwen starts to think about having a future with Peter, going on summer vacation with him and hopefully applying to the same college as Peter. Peter looks back at Gwen and notices she's deep in thought about something, though Peter does not know what.
"What're you thinking about? You look like you're contemplating or thinking about something important," Peter is curious.
"I'm just thinking about you, Pete. Our future together," Gwen smiles.
Gwen and Peter continue ice skating together for the next hour until the sun eventually sets and they make their way back home. Gwen has something on her mind that she's been wanting to ask Peter for a while as they approach the Queensboro bridge to get back to Queens from Manhattan. Gwen looks up at Peter in his pretty brown eyes and asks her question.
"Pete, do you think maybe you could swing me home? Like how you do when you're a hero. I-I want to see what it's like," Gwen says.
"Like on my webs as Spidey? Are you sure?" Peter asks.
"Yeah, I know you won't drop me, and I just want to know what it feels like for you. I trust you, Peter," Gwen smiles at Peter.
"Okay, I actually like that idea. Let's head inside that building over there, it's too cold for me too change into my suit outside," Peter says.
(Minutes later)
Peter and Gwen are now both standing outside on a rooftop high above the Queensboro bridge. Peter is fully suited up in his Spider-Man suit, Gwen stands right beside him looking down at the bridge. Peter tests out his webshooters to make sure both of them work before jumping off with Gwen. Peter looks to his left at Gwen, now staring at Peter in his suit.
"Gwen, you ready?" Peter asks.
"As ready, as I'll ever be," Gwen answers.
"Ready? 3, 2, 1…" Peter counts down.
Spider-Man picks up Gwen with ease, takes a few steps at a slight jog, and jumps of the top of the building with Gwen in his arms. Peter lets himself fall about 100 feet before firing a webline towards the Queensboro Bridge.
"PETE!" Gwen screams as Peter fires his webline.
"Gwen, look at me, I've got you. Nothing bad will happen to you, I promise," Peter looks at Gwen.
Gwen turns her head and looks at Peter still in his Spider-Man suit, she looks at the webshooter on Peter's arm as it fires out another webline. Web fluid spurts out of the webshooter as it attaches to a support beam on the Queensboro Bridge. Gwen is amazed with the amount of tensile strength Peter's web fluid has. Not only can it carry both Peter and herself, but also resist the force of gravity as she descends with Peter and swings on a pendulum until Peter releases the webline. Gwen looks ahead of her, they're now swinging in Queens. She can feel the wind on her face, as Peter webslings around town. Gwen can't believe Peter is the only person who gets to experience this feeling. She loves this feeling but refuses to look down as Gwen is scared of heights. Peter fires one final webline and the couple lands on top of Gwen's house. Peter opens Gwen's window, and the two teenagers' step inside Gwen's room. Peter grabs his clothes from inside a makeshift backpack he made out of web fluid that he carried on his back as he swung home with Gwen and quickly changes.
"So, how'd you like it?" Peter asks.
"It's incredible, amazing, spectacular even. There's no feeling like it. Thanks, Pete" Gwen smiles and gives Peter a quick kiss on the cheek.
"I'm glad you liked it. Do you want to—well you don't have to if you don't want to, but if you want—I could go over and grab my stuff and we could do our homework together. We don't have to but like in case you wanted to—I'm not trying to force you or anything," Peter stammers awkwardly.
"Pete, I'd love to do our homework together, but why do you have to make it so awkward? I'm your girlfriend, you don't need to be afraid of anything," Gwen laughs.
"Right, it's just sometimes I think about you Gwen and you make me feel like the luckiest man alive. I'm dating the most beautiful woman in the world named Gwen Stacy. Out of everyone you chose me," Peter smiles.
Gwen blushes quite a bit from what Peter just said to her. She just smiles, walks up to Peter, and gives Peter a kiss. This time, the kiss lasts quite a long while since they are both in the privacy of Gwen's bedroom. 3 minutes later there's a knock at the door, it's George Stacy.
"Peter, I feel the same way" Gwen tells her boyfriend. "Why don't you go back out the window and go and get your stuff and meet me back here soon."
Peter nods and heads back out the window after he gives Gwen a quick kiss on her forehead.
"Gwennie, is there anyone else in there with you?" George asks.
"Uhhh, no I was just talking to Peter on the phone. He's coming over soon," Gwen lies.
"Sounds great, Gwen. He can join us for dinner tonight then," George replies.
The next day, Peter is walking to school alone and sees Mary Jane just ahead of him and decides to go talk to her. Mary Jane looks back and sees Peter running up to her, and waves at Peter.
"Hey Tiger, what's shaking?" MJ asks when Peter finally catches up to her.
"Nothing much, I just—we haven't spent much time together recently, and I miss talking to my friend," Peter smiles.
"Peter, how often have you been Spider-Man lately? Gwen and I talked yesterday, she thinks you're being Spider-Man too much and not leaving enough time for Peter Parker," Mary Jane says.
Peter pauses and thinks about what Mary Jane is saying. He has been Spider-Man a lot more often lately, but he's been trying to find more information on the Kingpin. Still, no one is giving up the Kingpin or any of his other lieutenants besides Tombstone. Peter thinks about patrolling Queens later this afternoon for Tombstone and his goons before his attention snaps back to Mary Jane.
"I think, I've been Spider-Man a lot more recently. I patrolled Manhattan yesterday for about 7 hours before my date with Gwen yesterday. But I'm just trying to put a stop to the Kingpin, so he doesn't do anything to put anyone else I care about in harm's way," Spider-Man answers.
"Tiger, Gwen and I both understand the responsibility that you carry on your shoulders, but you need to be Peter Parker more often. Your girlfriend wants to spend every waking moment with you, but not as Spider-Man, as Peter Parker. Stop carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, we're both here to help," MJ says.
Peter looks at Mary Jane with her bright curly red hair and green eyes full of worry and concern for her friend. Peter understands where MJ is coming from and agrees that he is spending too much time as Spider-Man, even if he's looking for the Kingpin.
"Y-you're right MJ, my body is still aching and exhausting from all the time I spent as Spider-Man yesterday. It's time for Peter Parker to have a day to himself… at least until 4:00 PM. I need to look for Tombstone later after school," Peter admits.
"Tiger…" Mary Jane sighs.
"I already promised Yuri I would, she's the police officer in charge of Gwen's dad's precinct while he's still recovering from his broken ankle," Peter reveals.
Out of nowhere, Harry Osborn comes up and kisses MJ on the cheek. Peter just looks at Harry in shock as Peter's mouth is gaping wide open in surprise. Harry and MJ both look at Peter and just laugh. Harry speaks first.
"Pete, sorry I didn't tell you sooner. MJ and I are dating now, we've been going out since like two weeks ago," Harry tells Peter.
"Well, actually Gwen and I have been dating for almost three months now, sorry I didn't tell you sooner," Peter says.
"About damn time Pete. You guys are literally perfect for each other. Gwen has been in love with you for so long," Harry smirks.
"Thanks Harry," Peter smiles back.
"Speaking of Gwen, where is she? She promised she would go over what's on the bio quiz with me earlier last week," MJ wonders.
"I actually don't know, which worries me," Peter is concerned about Gwen.
Peter pulls out his phone and starts to dial Gwen's number to make sure she's safe.
"Hey guys," came a voice from behind the three friends.
Peter, Mary Jane, and Harry all turn around and see Gwen standing behind them with a subtle smile on her face. Gwen curled her hair this morning, as it's normally straight, Peter notices it straight away and starts blushing uncontrollably. Gwen looks at Peter and can see him blushing and smiling back at Gwen, which causes Gwen to blush as well.
"Gwen, can we go over this bio quiz thing already?" MJ asks.
Just a sec MJ, I just need to talk to Peter alone, won't take long I promise. I'll meet you in the library in a few minutes," Gwen tells Mary Jane.
Mary Jane heads off to the school library with Harry to continue preparing for the biology quiz later today. Gwen walks over to Peter who's still blushing, with a smile on her face.
"Hi Pete," Gwen says softly.
Peter runs his fingers through Gwen's now curly hair as he looks at Gwen with a smile on his face.
"Gwendy, your hair. I like the new look; it looks cute on you" Peter kisses Gwen on the cheek.
"Thanks Pete, I did it for you. Also, I have a surprise for you after school. I-I bought us tickets to a movie after school today. I thought I could take you out on a date tonight," Gwen shyly says.
Peter takes a moment to think. He really wants to go with Gwen on the date she has planned, but he promised Yuri this morning before he left the house to look into a construction site in Queens. Yuri thinks it's where Tombstone may be smuggling his drugs into the city, but she can't act since she doesn't have any proof. However, Spider-Man doesn't operate within the boundaries of the law. Peter decides that he can spare his lunch period and go check out the construction site then and go with Gwen after school is over. Gwen notices that Peter is taking a while to respond.
"Pete, is everything okay? Do you not want to go on a date tonight?" Gwen says sadly.
"Gwendolyn Maxine Stacy" Peter says as he steps up to Gwen and kisses her. "There is nothing I would rather do than go out on a hot date with you tonight. I just need to take care of something during lunch."
Gwen looks at Peter confused, wondering what we could possibly need to do during lunch.
"I promised Yuri I'd check out a construction site today and I was planning on doing that after school, but I really want to be with you and just you so I'm gonna go to the construction site during lunch. Gwendy, I love you and I want t—" Peter explains.
Gwen wraps her arms around Peter's neck and just smiles at him. Gwen knows that Peter loves her, but she didn't think Peter would put aside Spider-Man for her. Gwen knows how important Spider-Man is to Peter.
"Come here, you" Gwen embraces Peter in a kiss as she puts both of her hands on Peter's cheeks.
"I love you, Gwen. But you should probably get to MJ at the library, so she doesn't get mad. I'll see you in class," Peter gives Gwen a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Yeah, good idea Pete. See you in class," Gwen smiles.
It's 10 minutes past lunchtime now, Spider-Man fires a webline and lands on the side of a building just adjacent to a construction site. Across the street the sound of glass shattering and alarms sound as a man with a fancy mustache in a purple and yellow suit exit and jewelry store.
"Well, that's unexpected," Spider-Man thinks to himself.
Spider-Man swings after the thief exiting the jewelry store wondering why he chose such awful colors for his suit. Within a few seconds Spider-Man gets close enough to fire a webshot at the criminal, but to Spider-Man's surprise the criminal leaps over the webshot and kicks Spider-Man in the chest.
"Ah Bonjour Spider-Man! Je suis Batroc. You really think you can stop me, eh?" the criminal says while leaping all over and around Spider-Man as he gets up.
"So, you're French huh? You care to explain while fries are called French fries when they were invented in Belgium of all places?" Spider-Man quips.
"You dare mock me!" Batroc screams back.
"Yes?" Spider-Man says as he kicks Batroc in the chest and knocks him down.
Before Batroc can get up Spider-Man fires an impact web, encasing Batroc in webbing against the wall outside for the police to handle later. Spider-Man slowly walks up to Batroc and goes up to ask him some questions.
"So Batroc… I'm just going to call you Batroc the Leaper since that's all you did during our little fight. Why on earth would cause you to choose such horrible colors for your costume?" Spider-Man asks jokingly.
"Bah! They are noble colors of the true French flag you dimwit," Batroc retorts back.
"Uh huh… well listen, I'd love to stay and chat and insult your pride a little more. I really would, but I have something more pressing going on at that construction site. Enjoy prison though, you might even get extradited back to France," Spider-Man smiles.
Spider-Man fires a webline and lands on the that same building adjacent to the construction site again, hoping he's didn't miss anything while dealing with Batroc. Spider-Man turns and looks at the construction site down below to see what's happening. The whole construction site was blocked off by fences and walls prohibiting anyone from looking in. Spider-Man looks at the street signs below, 75th and Hoyt Street, it's the address Yuri texted him this morning. A couple of trucks come onto the scene with the brand Consolidated Shipping etched onto the sides of each truck. Once the trucks stop at the construction site, Spider-Man sees a banner hanging just off one of the fences at the construction site. The banner said Fisk Construction.
"No way. Fisk Construction as in Wilson Fisk's construction company, the guy currently running for mayor in New York is backing up Tombstone? That Fisk? This just became a huge story, I better call Yuri," Spider-Man tells himself.
"Lieutenant Watanabe."
"Yuri? It's Spider-Man, I'm at 75th and Hoyt, are you sure this is the right address?"
"Yeah, I double checked with my jailhouse source this morning, why?"
"You said that Tombstone was one of the Kingpin's biggest lieutenants, right?"
"Yes, without a doubt."
"Well, I think I have a pretty good idea of who the Kingpin might be."
"Who?"
"Wilson Fisk." Spider-Man says as he sends a photo to Yuri showing the Consolidated Shipping trucks and the Fisk construction banner in the background.
"Spider-Man, this photo you sent me. It's good, but not good enough to incriminate Fisk as the Kingpin. I don't know about Fisk being the Kingpin, but I definitely think he's connected somehow from this picture you sent me."
"Sorry, for jumping to conclusions. So, what's the plan then?"
"Keep this information between you, me, and Captain Stacy. I know the Kingpin has some moles in the department so I don't know who I can trust. But if I get reports of shots fired at that construction site, I can send units your way, otherwise you're on your own Spidey. Sorry, my hands are tied."
"Understood" Spider-Man says as he hangs up.
Spider-Man turns his attention back to the construction site, thugs have now gotten out of the vehicles and open the back of the trucks revealing the drugs. Spider-Man sits back for a moment thinking about what Yuri said to him during the phone call. He sees at least 20 maybe more Tombstone thugs, all armed with automatic weapons. Without much further thought Spider-Man fires an impact web at one of the thugs and jumps into action.
"Do you guys know anyone who can validate my parking outside? I really don't want to get towed," Spider-Man jokes.
"It's the bug! Waste him!" one of the thugs yells.
All at once every Tombstone thug and goon in the area fires at Spider-Man with their automatic weapons. Spider-Man's spider sense explodes at the back of his mind as he tries to dodge all the incoming gunfire. Spider-Man jumps, twists, and contorts his body as he fires a webshot blinding the sniper furthest away from him. Firing a webline, Spider-Man knocks the sniper out with a knee to the face. Firing another webline, Spider-Man returns to where the main groups of thugs are and knocks the first few of them out with roundhouse kicks to the head.
Lunchtime at Midtown High School is nearing an end as Gwen, Harry, and Mary Jane are all eating lunch together. Gwen looks at the clock across the cafeteria, only 10 more minutes until lunch is over and Peter still isn't back. Harry looks over at Gwen and sees her looking increasingly worried as the time passes.
"Gwen is everything all right? Are you worried about Pete?" Harry asks.
"Yeah, I am. I know he said he would be late for lunch, but now I'm worried something might have happened to him," Gwen sadly says.
"Gwen, why don't you call Peter," MJ suggests, thinking that Peter is out as Spider-Man right now.
Gwen thanks Mary Jane for the suggestion and walks off to call Peter on her phone. Gwen dials Peter's phone number and is somewhat surprised that Peter answered right away.
"Peter, are you okay? What happened at the construction site?"
"Gwen! I found out some big stuff, I'll tell you about it later tonight on our date. I'm just dealing with some minor nuisances right now."
"Minor nuisan—Pete is that gunfire?"
"Ummmm… yes? But don't worry, none of the bullets are hitting me. Look I'll be back in school soon, I love you."
"Peter, just be safe. I love you too." Gwen says as she hangs up the phone, still worried about Peter.
Back at the construction site, Spider-Man starts to hear sirens approaching as he knocks out another Tombstone goon, leaving only 3 goons left. Someone reported shots fired to the police, meaning Yuri is on her way to arrest these guys for firing guns within city limits. Spider-Man looks to his right and left and sees a garbage can on fire and the 3 remaining thugs. Spider-Man fires a taser web from each webshooter leaving just one goon remaining.
"You know, a garbage can on fire is the perfect metaphor for your whole situation here buddy," Spider-Man jokes.
Before the Tombstone thug can shoot, Spider-Man fires a quick webshot blinding the thug in the eyes and disarms him immediately. Spider-Man then fires a webline to the construction crane hanging above him and attaches it to the thug's foot lifting him several feet up from the ground.
Spider-Man walks up to the thug who is dangling upside down and rips the webbing off his face so he can see again.
"I have a few questions for you," Spider-Man starts.
"Forget it, I'm not telling you anything, bug" the thugs retorts back.
"If you tell me who the Kingpin is, I can make sure you don't get any jailtime. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is oh 4-5 years and the selling of drugs like these is at least another 3 years so you're looking at 7-8 years in prison unless you start talking," Spider-Man lies hoping to get the criminal to confess any secrets he has.
"Fine, I-I don't want to go to prison again. But can you ask me another question? I don't know who the Kingpin is, almost no one does. Only those in his inner circle know who he is.
"Inner circle?" Spider-Man repeats back.
"Yeah, like my boss Tombstone and Silvermane are in his inner circle," the thug responds.
Spider-Man sits back and thinks for a moment about the Kingpin having an inner circle, possibly of just his top lieutenants. Spider-Man can't help but think about getting to the bottom of this and stopping the Kingpin in his tracks.
"Who's Tombstone?" Spider-Man asks.
The thug looks at Spider-Man and keeps his mouth shut not wanting to give his boss away, for the sake of his own life.
"Spill now, or you're never going to see the light of day again," Spider-Man threatens.
"L-Lonnie Lincoln," the thug stammers.
"Sweet, thank you. Just so you know I was never actually going to hurt you, it's not my style. Have fun in jail," Spider-Man smiles as he prepares to swing off back to school.
"Spider-Man wait up!" a voice rings out from behind him.
Spider-Man turns around and sees Yuri running up to him from a squad car. He wonders what Yuri wants to say to him, after everything that's happened here at the construction site. Spider-Man hopes that whatever it is, it won't take too long. He still has to get back to school.
"Spidey, good work with taking all these guys out, did you get any information out from them?" Yuri asks.
"Yeah, the only people who know who the Kingpin are in his inner circle. Tombstone, Silvermane, etc. oh and someone named Lonnie Lincoln is Tombstone. I also stopped a robbery beforehand of some French guy named Batroc. I webbed him up to the wall just over th—Crap, he escaped. Never mind," Spider-Man looks at the cut webbing where Batroc used to be webbed to the wall.
"Huh, well I've never heard of this Lonnie Lincoln before. I'll issue out a BOLO for him," Yuri replies.
"A BOLO?" Spider-Man asks.
"A be on the lookout," Yuri explains.
"Ah makes sense, listen I gotta split, I'm gonna be late. But I have one last question." Spider-Man says.
"Sure, what's up?" Yuri responds.
"How's Captain Stacy doing? Haven't seen him in action for a while," Spider-Man asks.
"He should be back soon. His ankle was broken during your first fight with the Rhino, but he should be back at work in a few days now," Yuri reveals
Spider-Man slowly nods his head as he fires a webline and swings off back to school.
3 minutes later, Spider-Man arrives back at Midtown High School and starts changing into his normal school clothes. As Peter is changing, he thinks about what he's going to tell Gwen about what he learned today. Peter finishes changing and heads out into the hallway to head to his next class, when he sees Gwen standing by her locker and getting stuff for her next class.
Gwen is rummaging around in her locker looking for her math textbook, as her mind shifts back to Peter. Gwen can't stop thinking about all the gunfire she heard on her phone call with Peter earlier.
"Gwen?" came a familiar voice from behind Gwen.
Gwen turns around and sees her boyfriend with a smile on his face, looking down at her new curly hair. Gwen immediately embraces Peter in a hug, grateful to see him again.
"Peter! Thank god you're okay! I was so worried with all the gunfire and everything," Gwen hugs Peter even tighter.
"Gwendy, I'll always come home to you no matter what. Although, my spider sense should receive a majority of the thanks," Peter smiles.
"Your what?" Gwen is confused.
"My spider sense. It's another one of my powers, it's a sixth sense that warns me of danger and instinctually tells me how to avoid said danger," Peter explains.
"Really? You have a precognitive ability? That's amazing! How does it work?" Gwen says enthusiastically.
"Well, I get this tingle in the back of my head every time I'm in danger and it's going to sound crazy, but I just trust it and listen to it. But we should get to class, we're going to be late. We can talk more after school on our way to the movies," Peter says.
(Later, after school gets out)
Peter and Gwen both walk out of school together and make their way towards the movie theaters. Gwen looks at Peter and is looking forward to their date tonight at the movies. She is also curious about what happened at the construction site, Gwen remembers Peter saying that he found out something big there.
"Peter, so what did you find out at the construction site?" Gwen asks.
"A bunch. I found out that Tombstone's real name is Lonnie Lincoln, we're one step closer to ending the Kingpin's criminal empire. Now I just need to find Tombstone. And Wilson Fisk is connected to the Kingpin somehow, we just don't know exactly how yet. I originally pointed out or thought that Fisk was Kingpin, but I think I might have jumped the gun," Peter pulls out his phone and shows Gwen the picture he took earlier.
"Pete, I think you might be right about Fisk. Worst case scenario is that Wilson Fisk is the Kingpin and is also about to be elected mayor of New York as well. Best case scenario is that Wilson Fisk just isn't the standup person we thought he was," Gwen tells Peter.
"Yeah, you're right. Hopefully it's the latter, but enough about Spider-Man. What do you have planned for us tonight?" Peter asks.
"That would be telling, Pete. I want tonight to be as romantic as possible for us," Gwen gives Peter a kiss on the cheek.
"Oh really?" Peter flirts.
Gwen looks ahead and sees the movie theater right in front of her, and then looks to her right at Peter. Peter just smiles at Gwen, happy to be with her. Gwen, on the other hand, thinks about telling Peter what she told MJ before their ice skating date yesterday. About why she's been trying to do romantic things for Peter nonstop lately.
"Peter, I-I need to tell you something," Gwen says with hesitation in her voice.
"What's wrong?" Peter is concerned for Gwen.
"It's just that voicemail you sent me, it's the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me. And Peter, I love you so much, but I haven't been able to think of something romantic for you. I feel like I haven't been a good girlfriend for you and I really want to change that," Gwen says sadly.
"Gwen Stacy, dating you for these past, almost 3 months has made me the happiest man alive. You've been nothing but a perfect girlfriend and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love you. And that voicemail I left you, at the time I was scared that I was going to lose you. All I did was simply tell the truth about my feelings for you. You're the most important person in my life, Gwendy," Peter responds.
Tears of joy begin to fill Gwen's eyes as Peter finishes talking. Gwen thinks about how much she loves Peter, Gwen can't even put it into words. Peter looks into Gwen's eyes and kisses her on the forehead wiping away the tears from her eyes.
In the Kingpin's office building, Wilson Fisk grinds his teeth in anger from what Wesley just told him.
"I'm sorry Wesley, what did you just say?" Kingpin yells.
"Spider-Man, he's put a major dent into Tombstone's operation. Over 30% of the thugs on his payroll have been arrested and are being held without bail. Spider-Man also confiscated that new shipment of drugs, which the police now have, and Spider-Man figured out that Lonnie Lincoln is Tombstone," Wesley recaps.
Kingpin slams down on his desk smashing it into pieces in anger and frustration over Spider-Man. Kingpin can't stop thinking about how annoying and irritating wall crawler has been to his entire criminal operation since he first came on the scene a few months ago.
"Wesley, I'm sorry for my outburst there," Kingpin starts in a soft tone. "Please contact Bullseye. Offer him $3 million to bring Spider-Man here, alive."
"Alive? Are you sure about that? Wouldn't it be better to kill him off?" Wesley asks.
The Kingpin looks at Wesley with a growing smile on his face, thinking about Spider-Man.
"Trust me Wesley, I have every intention of killing Spider-Man. I will rip that mask off his face and kill him where he lies in this very office. He's been a nuisance, a thorn in my side ever since he put on that mask. In order to pull the thorn out I need to deal with him directly," Kingpin tells Wesley.
"V-Very well sir, I'll contact Bullseye right now," Wesley stammers.
Peter and Gwen are now in the movie theater watching the new Fast and Furious movie that Gwen bought tickets for. Peter looks across at Gwen and puts his arm around Gwen's shoulder. Gwen smiles and looks across at Peter and lays her head on his shoulder. Gwen can't help but think about how no else but Peter makes her feel this way, Gwen realizes that she wants to be by Peter's side every chance she gets.
"Y'know Pete, it doesn't matter what we're doing, but I could do this forever," Gwen whispers with her eyes closed.
"What do you mean?" Peter whispers back, remembering they are in a movie theater.
"Us… snuggling together. I never want this to stop. You're the love of my life Peter Parker," Gwen whispers.
Peter looks at Gwen with her head resting on her shoulder and feels an overwhelming sense of calm, like all is right in the world for once. Looking at Gwen, Peter starts to think about their future for the first time. Graduating high school and going to college together. Peter's thinking shifts to Spider-Man and the next steps to taking down Kingpin. Taking down Tombstone and finding out who the Kingpin actually is.
Note: So that's Chapter 11! I knew the previous chapter was going to be controversial not because of what I did with Spider-Man, but because I know some people love the Agents of SHIELD tv show and others really don't like it. So, with this chapter I decided to go back to the basics of Peter being a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man while still continuing the story and plot of the Kingpin. As always, I'm open to criticism into making this story more enjoyable, so please leave a review if you feel the need to.
Also on another note, sorry for taking so long to get this one out. I've been pretty sick the past 3 or 4 days so I haven't been able to write as much as I would have liked to.
Responses to Reviewers:
TW:
Thank you!
Optimus524:
That's totally fair and I understand being more of a MJ and Peter person, but most of the Spider-Man stories on here, or at least from what I've read have all been Peter and MJ stories. Just wanted to give more of a spotlight to Gwen, as she's very important to Peter in the comics.
CT311998:
Thank you, appreciate it! Planning on having the Fantastic Four show up real soon in full force. And yes, I actually just finished reading your "The Amazing Spider-Man S1." Just an awesome story, I loved every bit of it. Looking forward to reading the sequel pretty soon :)
Alix:
That is a fair point. I knew chapter 10 would be controversial in a sense that not everyone likes the agents of shield show, which is okay. To each their own. That's why I really tried to go back to basics this chapter for Spider-Man.
GIJose25:
I'm glad you enjoyed the crossover. But as to your point regarding MJ and her character arc and development you do bring up a good point. I tried to bring MJ back into the story a little bit in this chapter, but she's going have an important role in one of the next few chapters, so stay tuned.