Chapter 1

Alone Again Naturally

"Go ahead, tell me what is truly special in your life. I bet I can beat you. How I spent my summer vacation. By Peter Benjamin Parker. I can sum it all up in one headache inducing hyphenated word. Spider-Man! After all, I am the one. The only. The Spectacular Spider-man! Now most of you may think that's great from what you read but as a multiversal acquaintance would say… Let's start this from the beginning in case you don't know who I am.

As stated, name Peter Benjamin Parker. My parents died when I was young and I was raised by my Aunt May and Uncle Ben. I was your stereotypical nerd and kinda still am. Then one day I was bit by a genetically altered spider at ESU on a field trip. Since that bite I got powers. The proportional strength of a spider, their agility, an ability to stick to any surface and additionally a weird sixth sense. Almost like I had microscopic webs reaching further than myself and could sense when they were triggered. I dubbed it my Spider-sense since it alerted me to danger. I like any teenager instantly thought to make money with my powers. Entering wrestling match with a big cash prize and won it quickly. However the promoter wouldn't give me my money because I wouldn't sign a contract. Before I left, a crook stole from him…and I let him run by me. I didn't care. I was wronged.

It took a tragedy to submit what my Uncle Ben told me. It took his death to knock me out of my gigantic self centered behind and learn his greatest lesson.

"With great power, there must also come great responsibility." I tracked down his killer and found out it was the very same man who stole the money from the promoter. I wanted to kill him. To take from him what he stole from a good innocent man. But then…Uncle Ben wouldn't want that. And I wouldn't be the man he said he knew I was going to become.

Since that day I've tried to live by his example. I've stopped crooks, murders, madmen, and more. From an aging man with wings to a man in an irremovable rhino looking suit, a crazed hunter to a literal alien symbiote that took over and twisted someone who was as close to me as a brother at one point. I had a mentor turn into a man sized lizard with an attitude problem and another become the most dangerous adversary I have ever faced.

It wasn't all down as I made it seem. I had good close friends. Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn. Harry…we were good friends and then his father died. He blames Spider-Man and in addition me for working close with the man. It is my fault I couldn't stop Green Goblin aka Normon Osborn from landing in that container of pumpkin bombs. I was just so angry and blind. I haven't spoken to him since…

Gwen. Ugh. That is the definition of complicated. For years we were simply close friends and it took an entire year for me to realize my feelings for her. And when we did. I was already in a relationship and so was she. With Harry. We agreed to break up with our currents and try us. I went through with it hurting Liz Allen, someone I had begun to consider showing my secret after everything we had been through and our relationship strained. But I did it. For Gwen. Unfortunately, where I did what I was supposed to do. She didn't. Harry threatened basically that if she wasn't with him he'd end up back on the Green formula that when vaporized turned Norman into Goblin and was a harmful steroid to Harry.

They weren't my only friends. There was also Mary Jane Watson. We went to a formal but that was it. She didn't want to go steady and in the end I was upset but understood.

Then there was Cat. The Black Cat….losing her friendship hit the hardest for some reason. I think it's because she couldn't understand my hate. Her father is the one that took Uncle Ben from me. She asked for my help breaking in to free him. When I found out who he was I instantly turned my tune…but I still helped because I gave her my word. Funny enough it was Hardy's pick. He realized what he had done. And something tells me he knows who I am and what he took from me. She has hated me ever since. Her father chose to accept his guilt and stayed. And she doesn't have her father in her life. In a way you could consider what I've done the same as what he did.

Long story short. I am friendless and girlfriendless. But hey. At Least I still have my spider powers right? What do you think Bruce?" I looked at the gargoyle beside me. I had been using it to talk my problems out with. After all, Aunt May would think I'm nuts if I started speaking to myself at home. Plus this high up I can look at the city without a mask on and enjoy the sight. Not to mention I'm saving plenty of money on therapy bills which with today's economy HEEEEEW WHEEEEE! I'll take the cut out. Now. I got one more day before school and I'd love to finish my depressing summer off on a better note. The beautiful city lights sparkled below me as I replaced my mask.

And I fall. The wind rushed past my body. Cutting into my clothing slightly but nothing too insane thanks to the summer heat. Funny. Last year at this time I was wrapping up Marco and O'hirn. Literally this year I am- the sound of an alarm grabs my attention causing a sigh. This year I am going after crooks right once again. Why can't my life be simple anymore?

With ease that only a sixth sense can give I adjust my swinging and head towards the noise. Ooooh who will it be this time? Criminals A, B, and C? Swing. Jump off smoke stack onto the edge of the building and boom I'm here. Now let's see. There's the store. And….yup there's Criminal A, B, and C. Can't tell who thanks to those masks. But hey, an easy night. A quick web and setting of the timer on my camera and…

Camera!

Lights! As I turn on the spider light on my tool built illuminating the three criminals.

"My oh my what do we got here three little pigs and not a house insight!"

And action!

"It's the spider!" Criminal A yells, funny the voice sounds familiar.

"Awww you memorize me. Thank you all." I launched at them, turning off my light mid air before shoulder checking Criminal C. Well I thought it would be shoulder checking…if my shoulder didn't go through his waist. Ow. For going through something we- wait wet? I glance back and notice the man's midsection reattaching itself.

"What's wrong Spider-dork? Can't grab me?" Criminal C's body turned almost translucently in the form of water before blasting me back into the wall.

Ribs.

Ow…..

"Bench, come on! We ain't got time for this!" Criminal B snapped at his compatriot now known as Bench….really Bench? I mean O'hirn wasn't special but at least I had fun saying the name.

"You should listen to your friend." I am able to maneuver my arms enough to shoot webbing at the stone behind Bench,seriously need a new name, and yank it slamming into the man splattering him everywhere. Ew. But the reprief feels nice. "Ugh.…now I know how my laundry feels." I watched as the molecules of water started to reconnect. "Oh that is so not good." I slide across the wet roof and launch Criminal A and B up in the air before webbing them upside down. "Alright problems A and B are taken care of. Now where is C- agh." I grabbed at my ribs. Okay that water hit me hard but not this hard…Aaaagh it's like Rhino is stomping on my sides!

"The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout~" A voice started speaking and for a second I widened my eyes and glanced upward at the man above me. It was Bench. "Down came the rain and washed the spider out!" He slammed his fist down into my chest blasting me with the force of a fire truck. And no not the water but the full truck itself. Judging from the fact I can feel it hitting my chest he's torn my suit.

Sternum.

I need to figure out something. My chest is beginning to ache as much as my sides. Wait, my web cartridges are if I can throw them. Where he's blasting me from his arms and his shoulders then they should gunk him up enough. As if excess food in the sink drain. Luckily it's been a slow day. Snapping my arm back and forward the cartridges launched forward. Bench panics as they approach and adjusts to shoot them away but that just triggers them as they burst open filling him from the inside.

"What da heck is this?!" Bench looks down at himself. Now Spider-Man! I yell at myself and throw all my weight into a punch knocking Bench back into the wall. Expending the rest of the webbing to cocoon this guy I place a nice little note to not open till it was in a glass container ... .or a room sealed tight.

"Alright you boys sit here and wait for the cops." I groan and grip my sides again. " Remember though. These streets are protected by the Spider-man!" I launch myself away and web around to hide the fact I went to retrieve my camera. God what was that pain. It wasn't the water pressure dude. That I know for a fact. Especially because AGH! My sides! I….this pain…What the hell is going on?! Best to call it a night. Especially with school tomorrow. But with the pain in my ribs I can't web swing. Best to take the express. I slowly slide myself down the building to the alley where I change back into my normal clothes.

Subway is my ticket home as I contemplate what's going on. I've never felt that kind of pain before. Maybe it's growing pains? After all, I've had it pretty easy as Spider-Man and my body is changing. Best to do then is rest and see if that helps. Lucky Aunt May is with Anna Watson since Mj is out of state so she didn't feel lonely.

As I enter the house and lock up I hit the answering machine.

"Peter, it's me….Gwen. I was just seeing how you are…I-" I hit the delete button faster than I thought. I guess a part of me is actually upset with how she handled it all.

"Parker! Great job on the new pics from the menace's encounter with Shocker last week! I expect new photos tomorrow!" Delete is hit again as I hear enough of Jameson normally.

And finally. " Peter, don't forget the leftovers in the fridge. And get plenty of sleep. I love you." Now that's how to finish a day. Hearing those words is enough to make me smile and I head to the fridge. Aunt May has been here for me through my entire life. I don't know where I'd be without her. I'm about to open the fridge when I have to grit my teeth. If my pain doesn't drive me up a wall. I headed upstairs after closing the fridge. Sleep. That'll help my body heal. I sighed as I shed my clothes and my costume before falling onto the bed. Perhaps tomorrow will be better. After all, I caught the bad guys, got the photos, and my weekly therapy session with Bruce. I reach over and plug in my camera to my computer. In the morning it'll be ready to email…and I won't have to rush. For once.

At Least this new superpowered guy didn't get a name from whoever. Though the Bugle will probably do that anyway. Let's see….

Slosh? Too snowy.

The pump? Too inappropriate.

Squirtle? Taken. Also too inappropriate.

God who thought naming would be hard…heck I did it to Electro by accident surely I can give this dude who gives a Blastoise using Hydro pump a bad-Hey!

Hydro-man. Definitely better than Bench. Wait….That's how I know the guy! He was the Demo guy Normon hired back in new years. His bombs used water implosion technology to implode the building. But they were triggered by Toomes due to his vengeance on Normon. Guess with his employer gone he needed a new source of income…the others might be former Oscorp employees too. I better let Gwen's dad know in an anonymous tip via Spider-man. I reach over and tap my spare phone I use for these occasions.

"Police Captain Stacy, go ahead."

"Captain Stacy. It's Spider-Man."

"Spider-Man? What can I do for you?"

"Earlier tonight I was in an encounter with two crooks and a super powered individual. They're all webbed up but you should be careful. I cocooned the individual because he turns into water itself. Some kind of Hydro-Man by the name of Morris Bench."

"Morris Bench? I've been having teams dismantle bombs similar in design to his over the past several weeks when threats are called in." Stacy replied and I could almost taste the concern in his words. "Any idea what changed him?"

"I have no idea. Chances are it has something to do with his bombs. They are based on water implosion technology." I groan. "So when you read the note saying do not open until Christmas I mean it."

"Ha. Ha. Ha. You alright? That sounded bad."

"I'll be fine. Growing pains."

"Growing pains? What are you fifteen?"

"No, I'm five. All the villains say so, so it must be true."

"Spider-Man…"

"I'm fine Captain Stacy. Don't worry New York will never have to wonder about a world without Spider-Man."

He hummed through the phone and clicked his teeth. "Thank you again for everything you do."

"Goodnight Captain."

"Goodnight."

The phone goes dead and I slide it to the ground as I feel the ache subside a bit. Maybe I can sneak over to Doctor Conners' lab tomorrow night and ask him for some help. I don't like holding it over his head but I did save him from his Lizard issue. But that's a problem for another night…best to do first is sleep and see if this pain goes away. So yeah. Another headache inducing day. As the one. The only. The Spectacular Spider-man.