Spider-Man: Renewed Responsibilities
Disclaimer: I own nothing. All properties belong to their respective owners. Please support the original release.
A/N: This story is essentially a rewrite of the Zeb Wells comic book run. I did this because, let's be honest, this run was one of the worst things Marvel has done to Spider-Man. Makes the Dan Slott run look good. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this story.
Chapter One
OUTSIDE YORK, PENNSYLVANIA
In a barren area just outside of York, Pennsylvania stood a crater. The crater was freshly made with smoke still coming out of it. Inside of the crater was a man. Not just any man. This man was Peter Parker, but he is better known as the Amazing Spider-Man. And right now, he was in a dire situation.
He sat on his knees as he started to breathe heavily as he was hunched over. His suit was badly damaged, with tips and tears. His mask was practically damaged to the point where his face was exposed. In his hands was a device that was shaped like a spider.
"Guh." He breathed out, his eyes were full of shock and terror. He then threw his head back as he let out a yell. "Gaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!"
SIX MONTHS LATER
"Peter? Peter. Peter!"
Peter snapped out of his thoughts as he looked to see his Aunt May looking at him in concern. He was now in his aunt's new apartment having brunch with May. His appearance had changed slightly in the past six months. His hair had become disheveled, and a stubble formed around his face. His eyes had formed dark rings, indicating lack of sleep.
"Are you alright, dear?" May asked.
"Oh, um…yeah. I'm okay." Peter replied unconvincingly as he rubbed his eyes. A tired sigh escaped his lips.
May gained a stern look. "No, you're not." She said in an equal stern tone.
Peter once again sighed, this time in defeat. He leaned back into his seat.
"That obvious, huh?" Peter asked rhetorically.
May shot her nephew a coy smile. "I've raised you from when you were little, Peter. I know when you lie." Her face shifted back to concern. "Peter, listen, I don't know what's been happening with you lately but I'm starting to worry." She said, making Peter flinch slightly as he averted his gaze.
May began to list her concerns to Peter. "You've been staying out late, you're not eating properly, you're working yourself to the bone to help pay for hospital bills, you've ignored almost every one of your friends, and you still won't talk about what happened between you and Mary Jane." The elderly aunt of Spider-Man reached out and grasped his hand. "I'm worried that you're shutting yourself off from the world."
Peter looked at his Aunt for a good while, not saying anything. He sighed as he looked at his hands, which were intertwined. What exactly could he say? He wants to be honest with her and tell her everything. Everything about his double life as Spider-Man. But he couldn't. He couldn't risk putting her in this situation.
"I'm fine, May. Just…you have to believe me." Peter replied.
May let out a defeated sigh as she got up from her chair. She walked towards Peter and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I do, Peter." She said honestly. "I've always believed you. But it becomes harder to do so when you lie to me."
Peter hung his head low in shame. Guilt filled his chest as his Aunt told him about her worries.
"Listen," Peter looked back at May, "I'm planning to have dinner on Saturday and I would like it if you came."
Peter hesitated for a brief second before he answered. "I'll be there." Peter placed his hand on top of May's hand. "I promise."
May smiled. "That's all I ask."
LATER
In Alphabet City, Peter was walking back to his apartment building. He looked around the streets around him, watching the citizens of New York going on with their day. Peter couldn't help but smile a bit at the peaceful environment. However, Peter's smile didn't last long as he spotted a couple across the street in a cafe. They were an ordinary couple, people that Peter has never met before. However, what caught Peter's attention was the red hair of the woman.
Peter's mind flashed to the memory of another red headed woman filling his mind. Making him scowl slightly as anger bubbled up within him. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, in order to calm down.
After calming down, Peter continued his way to his apartment. When he got closer to his home, Peter spotted a man sitting on the steps. He was a bearded man who wore an all black suit and a black peak cap. The man turned his head and spotted Peter, a covetous leer formed on his face. His smirk made Peter feel uncomfortable as he frowned.
"Mr. Parker! Heard you were back in town." The man said. He stood up as Peter got closer to the entrance. He pulled out a document and handed it to Peter. "Wondered if you had a second to go over the statement from McCarthy Medical Center. There's still a hefty balance, and we'd love to know your plan for paying it off."
Peter didn't take the document from the man, and instead, stared at the man. "You the one who called my aunt?" His question was quick and straightforward. Peter was in no mood to play nice today, much less go over bill payments with debt collectors.
The man recomposed himself as he spoke. "I can't tell you that."
At those words, Peter simply shook his head and proceeded to walk up the stairs of his apartment building. He fished out his keys from his apartment.
Peter then heard the man speak. "Somebody has to take responsibility for the balance, Mr. Parker."
Peter clenched his jaw and took a deep breath. The word responsibility echoed through his mind. He hated when someone mentioned that word to him just so they could get their way. Most of the time, they were in the right but this time though…
"Listen," Peter started as he turned to face the man, "my aunt doesn't have the money to make any more payments on the balance. I'll take responsibility and I'll make the payments as soon as I can." His eyes narrowed slightly at the man. "So until then, don't ever call my aunt again." When he finished his statement, his tone of voice became stern at the end. There was an underlying threat but the man ignored it willingly or completely missed as he gave Peter a slimy smile.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Mr. Parker." The debt collector simply replied.
Peter scowled at the man before he opened the door and headed inside. The last thing he heard from the debt collector before the door closed was: "Be seeing you."
Peter turned back briefly to see the debt collector walking away from the apartment building. Peter scowled once again before heading his way back upstairs. When he was midway up the stairs, Peter spotted someone on top at one of the bends. Leaning on the wall. This was someone that Peter knew but hadn't spoken to in a long time. Randy Robertson, son of Robbie Robertson.
"Oh, hey Randy." Peter spoke as he got up in the bend. His tone was awkward, he had no idea what to say to his old roommate. He hadn't spoken to him or anyone else in the past six months.
Randy raised an eyebrow, incredulous at what Peter said.
"'Hey Randy'?" He asked. "Is that all I get from you after you ghosted me and everyone else for over six months?"
Peter winced at Randy's harsh, yet justified, question. He then shook his head, while as much as he would like to continue this conversation, Peter had other things to worry about. "Listen Randy, now's not re-"
Randy cut Peter off as he continued. "Peter, you just dropped off the face of the earth, without even a single word! Leaving me to pay the rent for an apartment that I don't even live in anymore."
Peter sighed in slight frustration. He decided to continue walking up the stairs to his apartment, not wanting to continue this conversation anymore. Randy noticed this and frowned slightly, he followed Peter up the stairs and continued talking.
"Leaving me to field calls from everyone you know, asking if you were okay. And May! Do you even know what you're that poor woman through?"
Once those words came out of Randy's mouth, Peter stopped just outside his apartment door. He turned to his former roommate.
"Listen Randy, I really don't mean to sound rude, but is there something you want from me? Because right now, it's not a good time for me." Peter replied sternly.
"I'm glad you asked, because there is something actually." Randy said as he cleared his throat. His body language showed that he was nervous. "It's about me and Janice."
Peter, forgoing any of his earlier frustrations, turned to Randy with a surprise expression. The last he heard was that Randy's relationship with Tombstone's daughter was going strong. He wondered if there were problems between the two of them, he'd hope that wasn't the case.
"You and Janice? Is everything alright between you two?" Peter asked.
Randy shook his head as he spoke. "Everything is fine. Great in fact." He then smiled as much as he physically could. "It's so great that I'm actually planning to ask her to marry me!"
Peter was caught off guard by Randy's proclamation that he smiled a genuine smile.
"That's great to hear, man." Peter said. "And I mean it, congrats. The two of you deserve to be happy together."
Randy rubbed the back of his head bashfully. "Thank man." He replied.
"Though, I gotta ask." Randy perked up when Peter spoke. "Does Robbie know about this? More importantly, does Janice's dad know about you popping the question to her?" Peter's question was out of genuine concern. He was well aware of the past between Robbie and Tombstone. All of the bad blood there was between them.
Randy fidgetted at that. "Well to answer your first question, yeah. Dad knows. He was a bit nervous when I brought it up but he approved. Though…." Randy trailed off, not answering Peter's second question.
"You didn't tell Tombstone, did you?" Peter asked rhetorically. Not that he blamed his former roommate for that. Anyone else in Randy's shoes would've done the same if their girlfriend's father was a mob boss.
"No." Randy sighed. "That's why I came looking for you. I'm going to meet up with him tonight to ask for his blessing. Honestly, I'm scared of what's going to happen, given who her father is."
Peter raised a brow. "I take it you want me to come with?" He asked.
Randy shook his head. "No, I just need you to call my phone just to make sure I'm alive. Though if someone other than me answers, ask for proof of life."
"Randy, I think you're overthinking this. Tombstone may be a criminal-and a killer-but I don't think he'll risk hurting Janice by hurting you." Peter replied, doing his best to reassure his friend.
Randy sighed. "Maybe you're right, maybe I'm overreacting." He said. "Though, I would appreciate it if you checked up on me. Just to be on the safe side."
Peter hummed a bit before replying. "I promise."
Randy felt and looked relieved at those words. "You're a lifesaver Pete."
Peter looked a bit saddened by the remark. "Wish everyone else could say that."
Randy bit his cheek when Peter spoke those words. He didn't know the exact details, but he knew the past six months had been rough for Peter. He tried to find out what the problem was but Peter would always dodge the question and disappear for days on end.
"Listen Peter, if things go well with Janice's Dad, me and you could go out with the rest of the gang. Try to catch up. Lord knows you need social interaction." Randy offered while playfully gestured to Peter's appearance.
Peter chuckled at the dig at him. He then thought over Randy's offer. It had been a long time since he's been out with friends, both civilian and hero friends. Maybe it was time to rectify that.
"Sure, why not." Peter replied, much to the surprise of Randy. Peter then added, clarifying a few details. "Though it has been some time after Saturday. Saturday, I got dinner with my Aunt."
Randy nodded. "Hey man, just as long as you get out more then that's good enough for me." Randy said.
Peter let out a curt laugh at that and smiled.
Suddenly Randy said some that immediately made Peter's smile break.
"Ya know, you could bring MJ along. Try to settle with whatever is going on with the two of you." Randy said.
Peter said nothing, his face was neutral with no readable expression. His mind flashed to the aftermath of the events that occurred six months ago. The memory of a red headed woman that he was once close to, with a man and two kids. Said memory caused Peter to grow angry and depressed. His expression then got Randy worried.
"Um, Pete…you okay?" Randy asked.
Peter responded by going through his keys and unlocked the door to his apartment. He opened the door and quickly entered his apartment.
"Bye, Randy." He said before slamming the door in front of Randy's face. Leaving the young Robertson very perturbed by Peter's response.
"'Bye, Randy'." Randy repeated, confused by what just happened. He straightened himself up. "Well um ...take care man. I'll see you soon. Hopefully." He said loudly into the door before he left.
Inside of his apartment, Peter heard what Randy said before hearing him leave. Once Peter heard Randy's footsteps become more distant, he leaned himself against the door and let out a tired sigh.
"God damnit." Peter cursed at himself, berating himself for losing control of his emotions. He knew Randy meant well by saying that but right now…right now Peter doesn't want to do anything with her. However, that still didn't excuse him from being cold to his old roommate.
'What is wrong with me?' Peter thought to himself. 'Randy is one of my best friends and he's offering to help me get out of my funk, but I just threw it in his face.'
Peter ran a hand over his face, rubbing tiredly.
'These past six months haven't been easy for me. But…'
RING! RING!
Peter's thoughts came to an abrupt end as he noticed that his phone was going off in his jacket pocket. He reached into his jacket, pulling out his mobile phone. He looked at the caller ID to see who was trying to call him. Upon seeing the name, Peter immediately became stone faced again. A brief flash of anger burned in his eyes before fading. He then continues to stare intently at the name on his phone.
Mary Jane Watson
She had been attempting to call for the past six months after their last meeting, a meeting that ended abruptly and rudely. Not because of what he did, but what she did. More specifically, what she did to him. Since then, Peter actively made it part of his daily routine to avoid her at all times. However, MJ would always make an attempt to contact him, for some reason that Peter found confusing. After all, she made it absolutely clear of what she wanted.
Nevertheless, every single time she tried to contact him, Peter ignored her calls, texts, emails, and so on. But if anything, Mary Jane Watson is persistent in achieving her goals. One of the many traits that Peter loved about her. Well used to.
With no hesitation, Peter swiped the "decline call" button on his phone. He was in no mood to talk to her, though he was surprised at himself for not blocking the number. He should get around to it.
After declining, a text message appeared from MJ.
MJ: "Peter, please call me back. We need to talk about what happened. You've been ignoring me for six months now. Please call me."
Peter exhaled frustratedly at this. Luckily, his frustrations were short lived as he got a text from Randy. He quickly scrolled through some of the previous texts, asking for Peter's whereabouts and the debt collector. He then looked at the most recent text.
Randy: "52 W 128th. 8 p.m., in case I disappear. You remember who my GF's dad is right? BTW, that beard does not look good on you. You need a serious shave."
Peter chuckled a bit before he texted a reply to Randy and put away his phone. He then rubbed his bearded face.
"I really do have to shave." Peter said to himself as he made his way to put his stuff away and then the bathroom.
ELSEWHERE
In an undisclosed location in New York, several of the City's notorious criminals and mobsters where gathered in a meeting. Things have changed drastically for them since Wilson Fisk's tenure as Mayor as well as the events that came with it. The law to make any acts of vigilantism illegal, the whole plot to use the purple children to control the citizens of New York, the Superior Four; a group composed of Doc Ock variants, and finally Kingpin's incraceration and his immediate disappearance. Leaving a large power vacuum behind, giving the criminal underworld the opportunity to move in. With the crime lords Tombstone managing to gain a majority of Fisk's territory.
The people in the meeting composed of various crime lords and thugs such as: Mister Negative, Rose, Crime Master, Tombstone, White Rabbit, Madame Masque, Hammerhead, and so on. The main discussion of this meeting was dealing with the Rose. The Rose being the son of Wilson Fisk.
"My answer is no." Tombstone spoke to the others. "He has no territory of his own, as such I won't be making any deals with him." He added as Tombstone gave a pointed look at the Rose.
"Lonnie-" Hammerhead spoke up before getting being cut off by Tombstone.
"I don't like saying things twice, Joseph."
"The Rose is the Kingpin's kid, Tombstone." Hammerhead retorted.
"Kingpin's gone." Tombstone emphasized and reminded everyone of the fact that Wilson Fisk was no longer around.
"Still, the Rose is a Fisk. The name will always mean something in this town." Hammerhead argued.
"Not without territory it don't." Tombstone replied. "It's the way things are. Lions don't deal with hyenas."
Rose, standing by as he watched the interaction, seethed silently. This was something that he always struggled with in this life. The lack of respect. Something that he have to rectify.
"I understand that you doubt my strength, Tombstone." The Rose spoke up. "But I can assure you, it is no concern." He added before he pressed his fingers to his ears, activating a hidden ear piece. "Send him in."
CRASH!
Suddenly the door bursted open, shocking everyone present as a large hulking man entered the room. He easily towered over almost everyone in the room. He had green crack skin, deformed face, large muscles, tattered clothes, and a glowing purple eye. This was Digger.
"Digger?!" One of the crime lords called out. All of them were shock as the last they heard of Digger, he had crumpled into pieces.
"The gamma-irradiated gangster. Back from the dead." The Rose confirmed their confusion.
"There was a green door…" Digger began to speak before he was interrupted.
"Enough with the green door!" The Rose shouted angrily at Digger before calming down and turning back to everyone. "As you can see, I've got plenty of strength. I think we could agree with that. Unless of course, someone here would like to disagre?" He taunted.
White Rabbit scoffed at the Rose's taunt as she stepped forward.
"Shit, and here I thought I just have to stand here and look pretty." She remarked as she rolled up her sleeves. She then spoke to Tombstone. "I got this boss."
However, before she could make a move, Tombstone placed an arm in front of her. Halting her advance.
"Be cool, Rabbit." He told his daughter's friend.
Hammerhead raised a brow at White Rabbit's actions. "Where'd you get the muscle, Tombstone?" He asked.
"A friend of my daughter. A bit insane but a good kid." Tombstone replied.
Rose then spoke up. "Enough, Gentlemen. I want the product and I'm offering a fair price. I won't ask again."
Tombstone looked at the Rose as he pondered his offer. He then gave the son of Kingpin and amused smile as he spoke. Giving the Rose a time and place.
"Two hours. 143rd and Malcolm." He said.
The Rose looked preplexed and a bit appalled by Tombstone's offer.
"You want me to go to Harlem?" He asked. "It's customary to meet in the middle."
Tombstone stood up from his seat as he leaned on the table.
"The middle of what? Your territory doesn't exist!" Tombstone told the Rose. "You have to come to me. I have Harlem on lock. I guarantee the deal." He then looked at the other crime lords.
"Unless someone here has reason to doubt my word?" Tombstone askeid.
The crime lords said nothing to go against Tombstone. This made the mob boss smile in victory.
"That's what I thought." He said as he left the room, not before telling the Rose. "143rd and Malcolm. See you around. I've got a dinner to be at."
PETER'S APARTMENT
In his bathroom, Peter had finished shaving as he wiped his face clean with a towel. He mentally went over what he was going to do tonight.
"Okay. Out the door at 7:15 p.m., walk ten minutes to the F, switch to the D. I should be there at Randy's dinner by 8 p.m..' Peter thought to himself as he walked out of the bathroom. Grabbing his phone and putting it in his pocket. "I still think Randy might be overreacting about this, though his worries do have a valid point. So I got to do my duty as his friend and check up on him."
Peter glanced at his Spider-Man suit, sprawled over his bed. He picked up the mask and stared at the white lenses.
"Hmm, I'm honestly not sure if I should put it on again. After all, all I'm doing is just keeping an eye on Randy, making sure that he's safe. Even though I kinda doubt Tombstone would hurt him. Besides, I'm sure that the city would be fine if Spider-Man was gone only for one night. So might as well not bring it." Peter thought to himself. He placed the mask down and headed towards his bedroom window. He opened it up before stepping out of it. As Peter was starting to close the window, sweat started to pour down from his face.
"Jeez, why is it so hot?" Peter asked himself as he wiped his brow.
"Yo, Egghead!"
Peter froze as soon as he heard someone call out to him. He winced slightly and grew immediately frustrated as he recognized who the owner of the voice was. He turned to his right and groaned after his suspicions were confirmed. Right when he saw Johnny Storm, A.K.A. The Human Torch, in full "Flame on" mode, approaching him.
"Oh no." Peter muttered to himself as he wiped more sweat off his brow
"Got a sec?" Johnny asked as approached Peter, hovering a few inches away from the Web-Slinger. However, after a certain incident, his powers have been amplified to the point that Johnny's base form was radiating too much heat and light. Making Peter wince as he covered his eyes so they wouldn't hurt him.
"Jesus Johnny, could you turn down the heat? You're going to alert everyone around here." Peter said.
Johnny narrowed his eyes at Peter's statement.
"I can't. I told you, it's really traumatic for me!" Johnny replied before adding. "Of course, that's if you bothered to remember these little things if you weren't so completely checked out."
Now it was Peter's turn to scowl at Johnny for his retort. Almost offended by the Human Torch's dog at him.
"Really?" Peter asked as he let out a scoff. "Cause the way I remember it, is that Reed and Sue don't want me around the Baxter building anymore."
"You stole from us, man! How the hell did you think we were going to react?" Johnny exclaimed. Reminding Peter of what the Web-Slinger did six months ago.
Now Peter was pissed. He slammed his hands onto the railing, unintentionally breaking it in the process. His outburst even made Johnny float backwards a bit as he was caught off guard. The younger brother of Susan Richards had never seen the Web head this angry.
"I needed your help!" Peter yelled. "I've tried to explain to you, Reed, Ben, and Sue, but no! You four, as well as SHIELD and the Avengers, wanted to detain and interrogate me! Completely disregarding the fact that I told you that I was running out of time!"
Johnny frowned.
"You needed people to look the other way while you screwed your life up!" He shot back. "Were we supposed to let that happen?"
Peter was about to shout some more before barely restraining his anger. He didn't want to do this right now. He needed to go check on Randy. Peter opened the window to his apartment and webbed his suit towards him, closing the window again afterwards. He had a feeling that he needed to blow off some steam later.
"Whatever." Peter said, as he hopped off the railing. "I've got to check in on a friend."
Johnny watched as Peter walked away.
"What do you think I'm doing?" He muttered to himself. He then flew off back to the Baxter Building.
To Be Continued