- And I'm back with another new update. Again, my utmost thanks to all of you who have reviewed...some of the advice left behind has been very helpful. In regards to this chapter...it's more or less of a drabble and so it might be a bit shorter than the previous ones.

- I'm currently still brainstorming ideas on a new story. It's not so much the ideas that I'm having problems with...but coming up with a decent way of writing it in a way that works is what's holding me back right now. Writing stories like these is all about imagination and unfortunately, mine seems to be dead at the moment.

It's only a matter of time before I get creative again though. In the meanwhile, please enjoy the next chapter!

...

"You take that back!"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did my comment hurt you just now?"

"What?! The only reason that you're here is because you got a mad on crush for Spider-Man!"

"Oh and you don't?" Arana retorted with a tint of pink on her cheeks.

Hope was taken aback. "O-of course not!"

The young Spider-Girl scoffed at her words. "Please, don't even try to deny it. I saw you checking out Spidey's ass when he demonstrated that new fighting technique to us the other day."

"Y-you only know that because you were checking him out as well!" Hope argued back, her face blushing a bright red.

From a fair distance, Peter sighed as his two students bickered amongst themselves yet again. It seemed that everytime they finished a training session, Arana and Hope would find something to fight about.

Super-hearing wasn't one of his superpowers but for some reason, Peter was glad he didn't hear what it was that started this particular argument.

Sable stood beside him, chuckling at the sight before them. She knew exactly what his students were arguing over and while it did bring up a small sense of jealousy in her heart, it was also very amusing to watch the two teenage girls bicker over the matter.

"Frustrated, Peter?" Sable asked with a playful grin.

"Not really...but I wonder what it is they're arguing about now."

Sable raised her head and kissed Peter's cheek. "I think it's best if you don't find out. Maybe we should stop them before it gets too far...I don't want my gym destroyed after all."

Peter nodded. "No arguments here."

They walked towards the two teenage superheroines, their echoing footsteps catching the attention of both Arana and Hope. The two girls stopped their arguments almost immediately and they turned to face Spider-Man and his girlfriend with their heads bowed low in a apologetic manner.

"I'm sorry, Spidey." Arana and Hope said at the same time, feeling a bit embarassed at the commotion they might've caused.

Peter placed his hands on their shoulders, making them both look up.

"Hey, no harm done...although it's pretty amazing that you two always find something to fight about everytime training's over."

Peter's voice turned serious in an instant as he continued.

"Just remember...when you're out there saving lives in the real world, there will be times when it's necessary to have someone watching your back. And when that happens, being on the same page is very crucial if you both need to save as many innocents as possible."

Arana looked confused. "I get that but...shouldn't we be trying to save everyone, Spidey?"

Behind the mask that was half-way up on Peter's face, his lips broke into a sad smile. "If there's one thing I learned in this crazy life of ours, Arana...it's that we can't save everybody, no matter how hard we try."

This wasn't the answer both heroines expected from the webslinger and their surprise was easily noticed by Peter, prompting him to explain even further.

"I won't lie to you girls...there have been times when even my power wasn't enough to save the ones I loved. After all, we're only human and we make mistakes. That's why it's important to have someone watching your back, not only so that they can help you protect the people but also in saving yourselves from being overwhelmed with grief."

Hope and Arana were stunned by what their mentor just said. Even Sable found herself surprised at her beloved Peter's words and they all felt a twinge of sadness in their hearts for Spider-Man. They all knew he was well experienced when it came to saving people and unfortunately losing them when it happened but what made it so sad was the fact that he had no one to turn to when the heavy feeling of burden set in.

Peter had the undaunting courage to not only make peace with such feelings by himself but also stay true to his duty as Spider-Man. Letting this newfound revelation about their mentor sink into their minds, Arana and Hope couldn't help but let their admiration and respect for Spider-Man grow more stronger.

Sable proudly found herself falling even more in love with Peter...her beloved was simply an amazing strong individual in both body and heart.

"You can't save everybody." He whispered with some weariness, "It's a fact that I've long accepted...but I've always hated it."

Though his mask covered his eyes, the three ladies present could tell Spider-Man felt a bit guilty for telling them such a harsh but honest truth. Sable instinctively wrapped her arms around Peter's waist from behind and rested her head on his back in an effort to comfort him. Her lips lovingly smiled as Peter placed his hands on top of hers and whispered a quick thank you.

Arana and Hope looked at each other for a moment before both of them broke into a small grin as they nodded.

Peter didn't even get a chance to look up as the two teenage superheroines suddenly hugged him hard.

"Don't worry, Spidey...even though Arana and I argue a lot, we're still friends and I'll always look out for her." Hope reassured, nuzzling her head into Peter's chest.

Arana blushed a little at being so close to her idol. "And I'll always look out for Hope...cause lord knows she's always getting into trouble somehow."

"Hey! No cheap shots."

Peter chuckled with Sable as his hands ruffled both their heads. "I'm very glad to hear that...Now how about we get something to eat? It's a little past lunchtime."

Their stomachs growled in response to that, much to both of the young ladies's chagrin as they nodded and made their way towards the kitchen. Peter held Sable's hand and followed from close behind. Luckily for them, Sofia had already thought ahead and cooked up a myriad of delectable recipes for them beforehand. Having been there when Peter brought his new apprentices into the Symkarian Embassy, the brunette knew they would all work up a large appetite during their training session...much like they had in their previous ones.

Hope and Arana couldn't contain their hunger anymore and the minute they stepped into the kitchen, they immediately reached for their plates and began to pile on the lavish food before them.

Sable shook her head in amusment...both girls were already taking after their mentor in the form of his voracious appetite. It was bound to happen. As far as she could tell, Spider-Man was doing quite the admirable job in training them to be strong future superheroines.

"Something funny?" Peter suddenly asked, holding her close.

"Hope and Arana are becoming more like you," Sable whispered as she quickly kissed Peter's lips, "not that it's a bad thing...because you'd make a great father."

...

- A bit of a short chapter again, I know and it was kind of dark, wasn't it? Keep in mind that Peter's problems in his early Spider-Man years almost always had to be dealt with on his own and the last thing he'd want is to see his pupils suffer the same thing.

- I hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter and as always, reviews are very much welcome. Stay awesome, folks!