Peter Parker

I didn't want to leave Peter Pan. It felt great being back in there – mostly because there was some sense of normalcy back in my life. The whole day was normal… or rather, next to normal. I was able to go back to work at The Daily Bugle, though it felt weird to see Jameson showing quite a bit of worry about me.

I was slowly starting to accept the idea that Jonah, deep down inside, actually has some amount of decency.

Anyway, I was back in school. I wasn't far behind – it kind of helped that Scott gave me a detailed list and guide of the lessons and homework I missed, and I knew it wouldn't take long for me to get through it. And being in Peter Pan almost made me forget about how screwed up things were at the moment.

Almost.

Still, I had a good time, especially when MJ told Cessily about how I fixed the TV set with a penny, gum wrapper, and a roach clip. While I left reluctantly, I still had a smile on my face as I made my way back to David's apartment.

Once I was home, I was still smiling, still in a chipper mood.

"Hey David, are you in a mood for Pizza?" I asked. "I'd like to order some. My –" I stopped speaking when my eyes landed on the living room. David was there, along with Scott, Craig, Kitty, and Joanna. "– treat."

"I mean, if you're ordering for all of us, I don't mind chipping in," Craig offered.

"This isn't a social call," Scott pointed.

Craig scoffed. "Who says it can't be afterwards?"

"What's going on?" I asked as I walked into the living room.

Scott stood up from his seat. "I believe Craig told you about the next phase of the plan we have once everyone is 100 percent, correct?" Scott inquired.

I nodded. "I do."

"Well, we're going to put Phase 2 into motion tomorrow night. Or, at least, I'd like to."

I raised an eyebrow. "…Okay… what's stopping you?"

"…Right now, you are."

I tilted my head in confusion. "Me? What do you mean by that?"

"It's not so much about what you're doing as it is making sure that you know what you're getting yourself into," Joanna said. I looked at her, seeing her leaning up against the wall. "We'd be going after the criminal underground hard every night. Part of it is to be a distraction while Kitty and Kaine do their thing. But it's also to send a message that the X-Men are still strong. That said, that's going to put a target on our backs, and it's just going to be a matter of time before Firestar starts gunning for us again. We need to make sure you're ready for this."

I nodded. "I am."

"Are you sure, homie?" Craig asked. "We need to be sure. Because after what happened to us…"

I nodded. "I get it." I really did. Collectively, Craig and I were 0-3 against Firestar, and had it not been for some medical intervention, she would have been the end of us. "We can't hide forever. MJ and I repaired and upgraded The Black Dahlia for a reason. So I'll wear it at all times when I'm in the field."

I looked at Scott, who stared at me for some seconds. He then nodded slowly.

"Okay," he finally said. He then moved in front of me before he faced everyone. "We'll be divided into two teams. Craig, Peter, you'll be working with Carmilla and David. I'll be working with Joanna and Buford. Every night, we'll have a different target, depending on how the previous night goes."

I looked at David. "Does that mean…?"

"Yup, I'm an X-Man now," David confirmed with a tone that was far from cheerful. He sneered. "This is the happiest day of my life."

"Does that mean we can go after Marcel tomorrow night?" Craig chimed in with a voice full of hope. "Please tell me he's going to be first one on our list."

"Yes, Craig, he's going to be the first one your team goes after," Scott replied, sounding like a parent who decided to let his kid have the cereal they were begging for at the grocery store. Craig clapped his hands as he turned away, nodding his head. "Just be mindful. We're still operating in Misty Knight's jurisdiction."

Craig turned back to Scott and gave him a glare. "I got too much respect for her, Luke Cage, Claire, and the neighborhood to do anything too drastic. I won't do anything beyond the pale. You know this."

"I'm just reminding you, that's all."

"So it's settled," Joanna stated. She then looked at me and Craig. "Now about that pizza…"

The next night, I was in the bunker with Craig, Carmilla, and David. We were all getting ready to kick off what might be a long series of nights. That meant going over equipment and suits. It was a bit jarring to see David in a hero suit – it was basically a tactical suit similar to Scott's. The difference was that the X logo was on a yellow background, which went well with the yellow trench coat he had over it and the yellow visor that he wore over his eyes. The visor was clear and there was an earpiece connected to it, complete with a microphone. Something told me that there was quite a bit of tech in that piece of eyewear.

"Scott owes me big time for this," David grumbled as he adjusted his trench coat.

"I mean, you look good in that getup," I offered as I stepped into the Black Dahlia suit.

"I mean, I guess."

"I'm just glad I don't have to make any alterations to my suit because of my tail," Carmilla spoke up. David and I looked at her. She was waving her tail slowly back and forth. "I'd hate to have a new one made."

"I agree," Craig quipped. He was standing a few feet away, adjusting his mask. "Me personally, it's my favorite field suit of yours."

Carmilla scoffed as she turned towards Craig. "You're only saying that because you love looking at my figure." As she said this, she walked up to him and playfully jabbed her finger to his chest.

Craig tilted his head. "Sweetheart, when it comes to that, I'm admitting guilt to all the charges with no plea bargain." Even with his mask on, I knew that he was grinning from ear to ear.

"Well in that case, I just might sentence you later."

"As long as you're the warden, I'll gladly serve time."

"And if you be a good prisoner, I'll make that time worth your while."

"Oh get a room, you two!" David called out. "No need to rub your relationship in my face."

Craig looked in David's direction. "There're two single people in the room right now, and you're the only one complaining," he pointed out. "You sound like a hater right now."

David grumbled, but said nothing in response. I almost wanted to laugh at David's reaction, but on some level, I understood how he felt. So, I just stayed quiet.

Once everyone was ready, we piled into Craig's Scion and drove out of The Bunker. It was at that point forward that we were using our codenames. Frictor was in the driver's seat with Scorpion riding shotgun. I was in the backseat with Prodigy, who was sitting behind Scorpion. Frictor drove us into Harlem. Once he was there, he slowly drove around the neighborhood.

"Are we sure it's not a trap this time?" Scorpion asked.

"I made sure of it," Frictor replied. "I got my information from Spurlock."

"Okay, but, wasn't Spurlock the one who set me and you up to get ambushed by the fake Scorpion that one night?" I pointed out.

"Oh, trust me, I remember. And I made sure he knows I do, too. He may be a snake, but he's still about his money and he knows full well that I have no problem following through on my threat."

We eventually arrived at the spot – an abandoned liquor store. We parked across the street from it.

"This Marcel, he's here?" Prodigy asked.

"He is," Frictor confirmed. "One of the people told me. Fortunately for him, he's on a 'bodega run'." He took in a breath. "So how are we going to play this?"

I saw Prodigy lean forward out of the corner of my eye. "I'm sorry, but do you not have a plan?"

"I do have a plan. My plan is to go in there guns blazing. But I also like to get other people's input whenever I'm leading a mission."

"Well, I really appreciate that, because I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not?" I asked as I looked at Prodigy. "We got the element of surprise."

Prodigy looked at me with a glare. "Do we, though? Word is getting around town that you're back on the scene, and Marcel has to be one huge idiot to not at least suspect the possibility of the X-Men being back in action. So he has to be expecting company."

"You got a point," Scorpion said in agreement. "…Dang, I wish brought my rifle with me."

"So what do we do?" I asked.

Scorpion looked at Frictor. "What do we know about Marcel?"

"The man's about his status," Frictor replied. "And he wants everything that comes with it – money, power, cars, women…"

"…Women you say?"

Every guy in the car looked at her.

"…What are you thinking?" Frictor asked with worry in his tone.

"Just trust me," Scorpion replied with a dismissive wave. "But for now, Spider-Man, Prodigy, I need you two to cover your eyes and bow your heads."

Some minutes later, I was on the roof of the building. I looked down at who I assumed was a watchman. He was struggling to break out of the web, his words being muffled from being webbed down from mouth to toe.

"Yeah, keep on struggling," I deadpanned. "It's really going to help your situation." I then turned around and walked up to the edge of the roof. "You know, I don't really like this plan."

"Neither do I," Frictor replied over the comm. He was busy at the back entrance with Prodigy. "I'm not exactly thrilled with my girl being naked underneath my jacket."

"Relax Sweetie," Scorpion whispered. I looked over to see her walking up to the front door. "I'm not naked – I still have my underwear and shoes on."

"Oh, that changes everything!"

"Just stick to the plan and everything will be alright. Are you in position, Spidey?"

"Yeah," I confirmed. "Just be careful."

Scorpion walked up to the front door. She banged on it before she took a step back. A few seconds later, the door opened up, revealing some guy with dreads.

"Whoa, who the fuck are you?"

"I'm Cherry," Scorpion replied in a sultry voice. "I'm here to see Marcel."

The man looked her up and down. "What business you have with him?"

It was at this point that Scorpion unzipped the jacket and held it wide open with her hands. It took me all the effort in the world not to look away as my face heated up. "Let's just say I'm here to deliver pie from his favorite bakery."

"The packaging does look nice." He then nodded towards her. "I'll let you see the boss but um… what about letting me have a slice on your way out?"

"I would, but there's a problem."

"What's that?"

"You'll be tied up by the time I'm done."

Getting the hint, I aimed my arms downward and shot two strands of webbing. Once it hit him, I pulled him up. As his body went horizontal, I quickly webbed him up as he ascended before he could scream. By the time I caught him, he was completely cocooned. I turned and tossed him to the ground next to the other guy I webbed up. I then jumped off of the roof and landed in front of Scorpion.

"Ugh, I feel dirty," Scorpion said as she quickly zipped up her jacket. She then pulled out her balaclava and pulled it over her head until it was covering the bottom half of her face.

"It was your plan," I pointed out.

"And I already regret it." She reached behind her back and pulled out her two Berettas. I didn't even bother asking how she managed to carry those two pistols. "Let's get this over with. Frictor, Prodigy, are you two ready?"

"I am," Prodigy replied over the comm.

"Yup," Frictor added. "I've been waiting to crash out."

"Then let's do this."

I quickly turned around, brought my foot up and kicked the door in. Scorpion and I rushed in. Four men behind the counter looked at us with wide eyes. They then drew their weapons. Scorpion and I were ready to fire, though. I hit the two on the left with bursts of webbing while Scorpion shot the other two. I quickly looked at Scorpion.

"Rubber bullets, Little Arachnid," Scorpion assured before I could call her out on it. "You might want to…"

I nodded. "Yeah." I looked at the counter before I jumped forward and landed on it. I then webbed down the would-be shooters. From the distance, I heard the sound of a door being kicked in, followed by two shotgun blasts.

"Oh shit, it's the X-Men!" someone yelled.

"You damn right!" Frictor yelled back. Then there were more gunshots.

"Let's go," I said as I hopped off of the counter. After Scorpion hopped over the counter and landed on her feet, I stepped up to the back door and kicked it open. Scorpion and I went through the door, just in time to see Prodigy knock out someone with a right hook that would have made Ali proud. I looked to my right to see Frictor standing over a man with a shotgun. Around them were four other men, who were already dealt with.

"Come on, man!" the man that Frictor had his gun trained on sputtered out as he held his hands up. "I-I-I-I-I –"

"Ay, bruh-bruh, do me and the rest of my people a favor and bring that stuttering to a standstill," Frictor growled out, shutting the guy up. Frictor shook his head. "I only want to know one thing, and one thing only – where's your boss at?" The guy didn't say anything.

"I… I… He'd kill me, man!"

"And you think we can't do you a lot worse? You know what? Since you're playing games, how about I let Spider-Man talk to you?!"

"I'll gladly have this conversation," I replied as I stepped up.

"No, no, anything but him!" the man pleaded. "I'll talk, I'll talk!"

"Then I'm going to ask you one last time," Frictor warned. "Where, the fuck is Marcel?!"

"He's upstairs! He's upstairs!"

"Thank you. Now goodnight."

"What?!"

Much to my surprise, Frictor shot the man in abdomen. As the man lay limp, Frictor pumped the rifle once. I almost thought he killed him. But the heartbeat gave me some relief.

"If it makes you feel any better," Frictor said to the incapacitated man, "Marcel is going to get it a lot worse."

"Don't you think you were a little harsh?" Prodigy said.

"Had it been anyone else, I might have said yes. But when it comes to Marcel and his crew, they should be lucky that they ain't getting a visit from The Punisher. So, shall we?"

Frictor looked around before he walked off in a direction. Prodigy, Scorpion, and I looked at each other with concern. After a moment, Scorpion sighed before she walked after Frictor. A second later, Prodigy and I trailed after him. As we did, I webbed the men on the ground up along the way.