- How's it going, folks? I trust your lives are going better than mine at the moment. Although I have to admit, things are a little bit easier this time around. Now it's just a question of how long it'll last...best to stay optimistic, eh?
- For some reason, I didn't have too much trouble writing out this chapter. Of course the quality of the plot and whether it's likeable is obviously up to you guys. As to any news about a possible new story...I'm still working on it as best as I can. The luxury of time is something I don't have much of and it's hard to find a moment to just think and experiment with new ideas.
- I'll try to bring you guys better news in the future...for now, please enjoy this update!
...
Spider-Man sighed as he swung from one web line and shot out another from his web shooters. Stopping at least half a dozen street crimes and then beating up Electro again wasn't anything new but it had been a long night.
His patrol normally would've been a bit more busier with the low level crimes but for some reason that wasn't the case tonight.
Still, Peter wasn't going to complain and he didn't have to do all the work by himself this time since he had brought his teenage apprentice, Spider-Girl, with him. She expertly stopped the robberies that occured tonight in record time and even managed to dislocate old Electro's jaw before Peter quickly knocked him out...but only after his fists broke a few more bones in the supervillain's body.
In the past, he would've just punched Electro out but Peter realized that the more damage he dealt upon the villain, the more time they would need to recover in jail and thus the less chances they'd have to wreak havoc on the civilians or property.
Just because taking the lives of supervillains wasn't something Spider-Man did (...well, usually anyways.) didn't mean Peter wouldn't mess them up...especially if they were dumb enough to harm the ones he loved.
This unfortunately proved to be the case with Spider-Girl, who got hit with a stray shot of Electro's dangerous lightning shortly before Peter defeated the supervillain. While the attack didn't kill nor harm her too seriously, it was still enough to keep her out of action for the remainder of the battle.
Which is why Peter was now carrying her on his back as he webslinged his way to the Symkarian Embassy, where Hope and Sable were waiting for them to return.
Hope and Anya decided that it was best to take turns in joining Spider-Man on his nightly patrols while the other continued their training with Sable. Sometimes Sable got both girls to join her and Peter in fighting crime but that seldom happened since Hope and Spider-Girl's normal daily schedules didn't allow them to work together very often.
"H-Hey, Spidey." Anya tiredly cooed, savouring the comfortable warmth of her mentor's body.
Peter smiled behind his mask. "Hey, sleeping beauty...hang tight. We're almost home."
Spider-Girl nodded and rested her head against Spider-Man's back once more. She loved being close to Peter...his presence always made her feel safe, secure, and at peace.
"Are you alright?" His voice gently asked.
A yawn escaped her lips before she replied. "I'm okay, just a little tired. Did we win?"
Peter chuckled as he gracefully landed on the roof of the embassy. "Don't we always? You did really good out there, Anya...I'm proud of you."
"R-really? But all I did was punch out a few thieves and muggers...I didn't even last long fighting against Electro." Spider-Girl questioned with a small blush.
Her beloved mentor adjusted his arms so that she was able to rest more comfortably on his back.
"You avoided all of Electro's attacks and broke his jaw with one kick, Anya." Spider-Man reassured, walking down the stairs. "I couldn't even do that when I faced him for the first time."
"And yet all it took for me to get knocked out was one lucky shot." She muttered.
"We all get unlucky every now and then, Spider-Girl. Besides, you hurt Electro pretty badly and that made it easier for me to take him down."
Peter paused to grin a little. "Don't worry though, I made sure the dumbass didn't get away with that lucky shot."
"What do you mean?"
"I might've crushed Electro's sternum... kicked apart his knee caps...pulverized most of his ribs and separated both his shoulders...nothing too major." He answered, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.
Her eyes widened a little, surprised to hear at the somewhat extreme punishment Peter unleashed upon the idiot supervillain.
"You did all that for me?" Spider-Girl asked as she reluctantly slid off of her mentor's back and stood on her feet.
Peter pulled off his mask and looked into her eyes with an embarassed smirk. "I guess you could say it kind of makes me angry whenever morons like Electro try to hurt my two adorable little proteges."
Silence reigned for a moment as Anya felt her face warm up at Spider-Man's words. She and Hope never doubted the genuine concern their respective teachers held for them but to hear Peter verbally assert that protectiveness in such a jovial yet honest way...
Her heart never felt more happier that she and Hope were under the tutelage of the greatest mentors ever and Anya showed it by giving Spidey the tightest hug she could muster at the moment.
"...Thanks, Peter." She whispered with a smile.
Peter smiled back and returned her embrace. "No...thank you and Hope for being the best students Sable and I could ask for."
"My sentiments exactly." Sable's voice rang out. Spider-Man and Spider-Girl turned their heads and saw the Queen of Symkaria approaching them with Hope at her side.
Anya waved at her other beloved mentor and best friend. "We're home, Ms. Sablinova."
Sable ruffled her hazel hair while Hope helped keep her steady on her legs. It was obvious to them that Anya was very tired and wanted to sleep.
"Welcome back, Anya...busy night?" Her best friend asked.
She tiredly nodded her head. "Yeah, Spidey and I stopped about six robberies in process before we proceeded to give Electro an ass kicking."
Sable's eyes flashed with pride as she, Peter, and Hope shared a chuckle at that.
"You've learned well, Anya...I'm very proud of you." She praised, earning a smile in thanks from her exhausted student. "Now get some rest, okay?"
"I'll help her get to bed." Hope said as she placed her friend's arm over her shoulders.
Peter quickly hugged the mutant super heroine. "Good night, Hope...sleep well. Tomorrow night, you'll be coming with me on patrol."
"I'm looking forward to it, Spidey. Good night, Ms. Sablinova." She whispered with a happy smile before turning to head for their room.
Sable held Peter's hand as they watched the two teenage girls retire for the night.
"How did she fare against Electro?" The Queen of Symkaria asked, looking into Peter's eyes.
The Amazing Spider-Man gently gripped both of her hands with a smirk. "She dodged most of his attacks and broke his jaw with a kick. It was just bad luck she got knocked out by a stray shot of lightning meant for me."
"...It wasn't your fault. You realize that, right?" His girlfriend pointed out. She knew her beloved Peter would blame himself for Anya or Hope getting hurt.
"...Yeah, I know." He said, "Don't worry, I made sure the bastard paid for making that mistake."
Sable smirked and wrapped her arms around Peter's neck. "What did you do?"
His lips curled into a mischievous yet serious grin. "I crushed Electro's sternum with a kick...pulverized most of his ribs with my fists...kicked his kneecaps to pieces...broke his arms...oh and I obliterated most of the bones in his face with one punch before I finally knocked him out and left him hanging upside down."
"Good." The Queen of Symkaria nodded with approval, "...No one gets away with hurting our precious Hope and Anya."
"Exactly."
Sable smiled and leaned in to kiss her beloved Peter Parker, her heart happy to have him and Anya back safe and sound.
...
- Peter's a little vengeful in this one, eh? I remember him saying once that while he didn't kill supervillains (normally), he'd still mess them up pretty bad. Maybe it is a little extreme but it does show how protective Peter is. I know, I know...not the best way to show this trait. My apologies.
- In any event, I hope you all liked it. Reviews are welcome as always and my sincerest thanks for taking the time to read this. See you later, friends!