Author's Note: Greetings, my readers! Chapter 4 is here, and I apologize for the relatively long wait. Thank you for all the favorites, follows, and reviews. With that being said, let's go over the voting results.
Peter/Emma - 42
Peter/Jean - 40
Peter/Kitty - 39
Peter/X-23 - 25
Peter/Rogue - 23
Peter/Storm - 22
Peter/Wanda - 15
Peter/Psylocke - 12
Peter/Firestar - 6
Peter/Jubilee - 5
Peter/Domino - 5
Peter/Dazzler - 5
Peter/Magik - 5
Peter/Polaris - 4
Rachel Grey - 3
So, I know I said that voting would end in the last chapter, but… I HAVE HAD A CHANGE OF HEART! VOTING IS STILL OPEN, AND THE SHOW GOES ON! However, I really mean it this time guys, this is the LAST time you guys will be able to vote. And now, to make it even more interesting, you guys can now vote for six girls instead of four. Will I actually be using six girls as love interests in the story? No, because I'm still trying to replicate what Spectacular Spider-Man did with the four love interests. Still… it should make the voting process a bit more fun, and since this is the last time, why not go all out?
Also, if you've already voted in the past, you are free to VOTE AGAIN! WOOOOOOO! Alright, sorry. I'm a bit hyped up. Still… I emphasize that all of you guys vote in the reviews.
But BEFORE y'all do that, how about reading this chapter first, yeah? Haha.
Broken Hearts
Intro Music: Spectacular Spider-Man Theme Song
Chapter 4: Aftermath
Queens
The cool night breeze brushed gently against Peter's face as he walked the dimly lit streets of Queens. The hush of the neighborhood contrasted sharply with the whirlwind of thoughts spinning in his head. Each footstep echoed the events of his first day at Midtown High—a new school, new faces, and a secret bigger than anything he ever imagined.
Miles Morales. Wanda Maximoff. Laura Kinney.
Their names rang in his thoughts like chimes, clanging louder with every memory. The encounter with Laura still felt surreal, her feral instincts and haunted eyes etched into his mind. She needed help—real help—and Peter knew they couldn't waste time. Exchanging numbers with Miles and Wanda was the first step. They had made a promise, one they all silently understood came with weight.
They were going to save her.
But for now, the night swallowed the city around him, and Peter finally reached the familiar stoop of the Parker residence. He climbed the steps, feeling the strain of the day settle into his legs. As he opened the door and stepped inside, a comforting warmth greeted him, along with the faint scent of chamomile tea and old wood polish.
The door clicked shut behind him.
"Peter?" came a voice from the living room.
BGM: Spider-Man 2002 OST - Alone
Aunt May's voice was gentle, warm, and unmistakably laced with concern.
Peter stepped in, and there she was, curled up on the couch with a blanket draped over her lap, the glow of a small lamp casting a soft light over her tired but relieved face. Her workday at F.E.A.S.T. had just ended not too long ago, and even though she was exhausted, the moment she saw him, her features lit up with a breath of relief.
"There you are," she said, standing up and walking toward him. "You had me worried, sweetheart. It's pretty late. I tried calling you."
Peter smiled sheepishly, running a hand through his messy hair. "Yeah, I know. Sorry, Aunt May. I, uh… got caught up in something."
May gave him a pointed look, the kind that said I know there's more to the story, but I'll let it go for now. She reached out and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"You should've called," she said, softly. "Just to let me know you were okay."
He looked down, guilt creeping in. "Yeah… you're right. I should have. I'm really sorry."
There was a moment of silence between them, the quiet of the house wrapping around them like a shared memory. After Uncle Ben… things were different. Every absence, every late night, every unknown, it all came with a deeper weight now.
Peter stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. The hug was tight, honest. A silent reassurance that he was here, that he was safe.
"I love you, Aunt May," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
She closed her eyes, embracing him back just as tightly. "I love you too, Peter."
The night settled around them again, quiet and calm. And for a brief moment, despite everything else going on—Laura's pain, Miles and Wanda's worry, and the mounting questions—Peter felt something he hadn't all day.
Peace.
Peter lingered in the embrace for just a moment longer, grounding himself before the two of them eventually let go of each other. Aunt May was his anchor, the one person in his life who made things feel… normal. And after the chaos of the day, he needed that.
"I'll head to bed soon," he said softly.
Aunt May nodded, brushing a hand along his cheek. "Alright, sweetheart. But don't stay up too late, okay? School again tomorrow."
Peter chuckled lightly. "I'll try not to."
Afterward, he made his way up the stairs to his room, closing the door gently behind him. He leaned his back against it, exhaling a long, tired breath. The room was quiet, and the silence could only be interrupted by an occasional car passing by outside.
He sat on his bed, getting ready to call it a day, until his phone buzzed.
BUZZ!
Peter pulled it from his pocket and saw a message in the group chat that he and the others had made after escaping the base. It was from Miles:
Miles: Just checking in. Everyone okay? Still can't get Laura outta my head.
Peter typed back, fingers moving slower than usual.
Peter: Yeah. I'm okay. Wanda?
A few seconds passed. Then Wanda responded.
Wanda: I'm alright. Still tired, but okay. Just… wish we could've saved her today.
There was a shared silence, the kind that didn't need words. Peter stared at the screen for a moment before finally replying.
Peter: We'll figure it out. We have to.
Peter would end on that message, now lying down in his bed and trying his best to get some sleep.
The X-Mansion
The sun peeked through the clouds over Westchester, casting golden beams onto the sprawling grounds of the X-Mansion. Birds chirped. Trees swayed in a gentle breeze. A peaceful, almost cinematic stillness settled over the estate.
Inside, the mansion remained quiet. Most of the resident mutants were still deep in sleep, nestled in the comfort of their rooms.
All except one.
In his old room, a room that hadn't changed much since he originally left, Logan stood shirtless in front of the mirror, his rough hands adjusting a faded black bandana across his forehead. His expression was focused, intense. Today was about routine. Discipline. Rage therapy.
He reached over to the nightstand and grabbed a relic from another era: a Sony Walkman, scratched, dented, and still ticking. He clicked it open, slid in a mixtape labeled "SNIKT MODE VOL. 1," then slapped the headphones on his ears and hit play.
BGM: Survivor - Burning Heart (A/N: You guys are required to play this song, lol.)
Logan bolted out of his room, barefoot, jogging through the hallways with all the silent intensity of a man on a mission. He passed paintings, old relics, and a snoring Beast slumped over a pile of lab notes in the library. No time for science. Just sweat.
He was the living embodiment of pure, unadulterated testosterone.
Outside, the pace picked up. Logan's jog turned into a run. Then a sprint. Then something that could only be described as a feral blur. His shirt began soaking in sweat, clinging to him like battle armor. Squirrels scrambled up trees to avoid the oncoming Canadian bullet.
Next stop: The Danger Room.
Inside, all hell broke loose. Robots dropped from ceilings, energy blasts lit the space up like a rave, but Logan was on another level. He tore through mechanical enemies with brutal grace, claws gleaming, face wild. He didn't grunt. He roared. This wasn't just a training session. It was a therapy appointment, and the only prescription was destruction.
Metallic limbs flew, scorched walls hissed with smoke, and when the session ended, the room looked like a warzone. One of the robot heads lay smoldering in the corner, its glowing red eye still twitching.
But Logan wasn't done.
Outside again, the pool shimmered in the morning light… until Logan ran straight at it. With a primal scream, he started slashing at the water. Then kicking it. Then screaming at it like it owed him money.
What purpose did this serve? Who was the enemy here? Chlorine? Gravity?
Nobody knew. Nobody ever knew.
Except Logan.
As he stood, panting and dripping, he whispered to himself like a sensei at the end of an 80's karate movie, "Strike first… strike hard… no mercy."
Then, as if nothing had happened, he stormed back into the mansion, flinging open the front doors like a wild west outlaw.
"WAKE UP, YA LAZY MUTANTS!" Logan bellowed through the halls, his voice echoing off the walls. "TRAINING STARTS NOW!"
The doors didn't open. Not a single one. But a chorus of groans rang out from all directions.
"Ugh, Logan… it's like six AM!"
"When did he come back?!"
"Boy, ain't no way, boy!"
Then, from down the hall, a familiar voice rolled in with the calm confidence of a man used to chaos.
"Logan," said Professor Xavier, gliding out of his office in his sleek wheelchair, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips, "As... energizing as your routine has been this morning, I do have to remind you, it's a school day. The younger students need to be at Midtown High in an hour."
After hearing this, Logan cleared his throat, trying to regain some sense of composure after having just screamed at the top of his lungs in full berserker mode… at 6:00 a.m. Professor Xavier, still smiling slightly, gave him a long, knowing look before raising a brow and asking, "By the way, I must ask… did the pool offend you somehow?"
Logan grunted, crossing his arms. "It was lookin' at me funny."
Charles chuckled softly. "Of course it was."
Before Logan could fire back a snarky reply, a voice echoed from upstairs. It was Scott's voice, muffled but clearly irritated. "Logan! You're a menace!"
Another voice followed: Kurt's, with a heavy German accent, "Mein Gott, I was having such a nice dream!"
Even Kitty chimed in, sleepily yelling, "We get it, Wolverine! You're buff and broody! Now let me sleep!"
"I ain't ask for nobody to be yellin' at me this early in the morning! All of y'all better take that somewhere else!" Rogue shouted, her tone being annoyed.
"This is certainly a way to start off the day…" Ororo added, trailing off with a deep sigh.
Logan rolled his eyes, already regretting nothing. "Buncha softies," he muttered, walking toward the kitchen.
Charles trailed beside him in his wheelchair, still calm and thoughtful. "You know, there are gentler ways to reintegrate yourself into the daily routine."
Logan smirked, opening the fridge. "Gentle ain't in my vocabulary, Chuck."
Charles chuckled once again. "That's what I was afraid of."
Then, Logan grabbed some cold, leftover steak, and started chomping into it without a plate, the sounds of sleepy feet dragging against the floors began to fill the mansion. One by one, students started emerging from their rooms—some with bedheads, some with cereal bowls in hand, and others still rubbing their eyes.
Kurt bamfed into the room, yawning mid-teleport. "Could we at least get a warning next time, ja?"
Kitty followed close behind, her hair in a lopsided ponytail. "I'm putting in a formal petition for 'No Wolverine Wakeups' past six a.m."
Logan just grunted, sipping from a cup of black coffee that had somehow appeared in his hand. "You'll thank me when you're still alive at thirty."
Meanwhile, with Emma…
BGM: Madonna - Material Girl
The sudden chaos of the early morning was enough to stir even the most composed mutants from their sleep. And among them, Emma Frost, who had been trying to enjoy a quiet morning for once, let out an exasperated sigh loud enough to echo through her elegantly decorated bedroom.
She leaned back against the velvet headboard, eyes narrowing toward the ceiling as Logan's primal yelling reverberated through the mansion's halls. "Of course he's back," she muttered to herself. "And of course, he hasn't changed one bit."
It had been a long time since she'd heard that gruff voice shaking the walls of the mansion, but now that it was back, she suspected that the training drills were about to go from brutal to downright traumatic. Still, there was no avoiding it. School awaited.
With her usual graceful poise, Emma began her morning routine. She dressed in a sleek white outfit with touches of blue and silver, her look as pristine as always. After applying a subtle shade of lipstick and brushing a strand of platinum blonde hair behind her ear, she gave herself one final glance in the mirror. Unflinching. Perfect. Untouchable.
She made her way to the kitchen, where the air still held the scent of burnt toast and black coffee, remnants of Logan's whirlwind reentry. Most students were dragging themselves through breakfast with puffy eyes and barely concealed grumbling, but Emma remained unaffected. She took only a single bite of a croissant and a few sips of tea before standing up, her heels clicking crisply against the floor as she exited the mansion.
Outside, the early morning sun bathed the estate grounds in golden light. Emma walked across the gravel path, her white coat catching the breeze like a cape, and made her way toward the garage. As the doors slid open, they revealed a dazzling sight: her classic 1985 white Lamborghini Countach 5000QV, gleaming under the morning rays like a supercar pulled from a dream.
Emma's expression finally shifted, just slightly, into something resembling contentment. She approached the car with admiration and opened the scissor door with an elegant motion. But just as she was about to slide into the driver's seat…
"Emma."
The voice stopped her. Clear. Familiar. And not particularly welcome.
Emma froze for half a second, her jaw clenching slightly before she turned around. Standing near the garage doors was Jean, arms crossed, the redhead's usually warm expression clouded with tension. There was a look in her eyes that wasn't anger… but wasn't peace either.
Emma rolled her eyes with a sigh. "Of course."
Jean took a few steps forward, her voice trying to stay even. "Are we ever gonna talk about it?"
Emma's reply came sharp and cold. "There's nothing to talk about."
She turned back around, pulled the door down with a swift flick of her wrist, and dropped into the luxurious leather interior. With a flick of her manicured fingers, she turned the ignition. The engine roared to life with the ferocity of a sleeping beast awakened, and the garage echoed with its thunder.
Jean stood there, unmoving, her arms still crossed as the Lamborghini peeled out of the driveway and began down the long road leading to Midtown High.
Her shoulders dropped with a heavy sigh. She brought two fingers to the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes.
Once, long ago, they were inseparable. They were two sides of the same brilliant, unbreakable coin. Friends. Best friends. But whatever had cracked that bond… it hadn't healed. And from the looks of things, it wasn't going to anytime soon.
The engine faded into the distance. The silence afterward was almost louder.
Jean finally turned around and walked back inside the mansion, the weight of the unspoken still sitting on her shoulders.
Midtown High School
BGM: Whodini - Five Minutes of Funk (A/N: I advise you guys to play this song as well.)
The morning air at Midtown High was filled with the typical hustle and bustle of students preparing for the day, but it was still a few minutes before classes officially started. With the first bell not ringing just yet, students had some time to socialize, catch up, or simply hang out in the hallway.
Among the crowd, Miles strolled through the hallway, his signature boombox resting comfortably on his shoulder. The classic hip-hop beats flowing from the speakers added an unmistakable vibe to the already lively atmosphere of the school. It was a gift from his dad, Jefferson Davis, and his Uncle Aaron, a symbol of their love and support for him.
The sound of the boombox echoed through the hallway, drawing some curious glances from a few students, but Miles didn't mind. As he walked, he let the rhythm of the music carry him, tapping his foot and nodding his head in time with the beat. This was his element, a sense of home in the chaos of school life.
Not long after, Peter appeared, his casual stride slowing when he saw the boombox. A smirk formed on his face as he approached his new friend.
"Where'd you get that?" Peter asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
Miles flashed him a grin. "Gift from my dad and uncle," he replied, clearly proud of it.
Peter nodded. "Cool. Solid taste."
The mood shifted slightly as Peter glanced at Miles, his smirk fading into something a bit more thoughtful.
"So," Peter began, his tone turning more serious, "how'd you sleep last night? After everything with Laura, I mean."
Miles hesitated, his expression softening. The battle with Laura still weighed on his mind, but he shrugged it off, trying to focus on the present. "I slept the best I could," he answered, looking at Peter for a moment. "What about you? You get any sleep?"
Peter gave a small, half-hearted chuckle. "Yeah, slept fine," he said, but his voice didn't carry the usual lightness. He'd barely gotten a moment to process what had happened the day before. Laura's outburst, Wanda's power, the strange place they'd ended up... it had all left him feeling unsettled. But he didn't want to dwell on it now, not when things were starting to feel somewhat normal again.
As Peter continued walking, something caught his eye. A poster on the wall, bright and bold, advertising: BASKETBALL TRYOUTS COMING SOON!
"Basketball?" Peter muttered under his breath. The idea seemed random, but the poster caught his attention. He couldn't help but look closer.
Miles, noticing Peter's distraction, turned to see what he was looking at. His eyes lit up when he saw the poster too. He walked over to it with a grin.
"You hoop?" Miles asked, turning back to Peter, a playful look in his eyes.
Peter chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I played with my Uncle Ben back in the day," he explained, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips. "But I was never that great. And I definitely wasn't the best on the court." He paused for a moment, then shrugged. "I didn't have powers back then, though."
Miles grinned even wider. "Well, since you've got powers now, I'm sure you're better than you think. You should try out for the team."
Peter hesitated, looking at the poster again. "I dunno," he muttered, "I'm just worried about blowing my cover. I mean, if I end up really good, people will start asking questions."
Miles gave Peter a reassuring pat on the back. "Hey, as long as you're not swinging from the rafters or wall-crawling up the walls, you should be fine," he said, offering a supportive wink.
Peter couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, true. But still… it feels a little weird. I don't know if I want to draw too much attention."
But Miles wasn't backing down. "Come on, man," he said, eyes glinting with mischief. "What if we're on the same team? It'll be fun, trust me."
Peter raised an eyebrow, his amusement still lingering. "You sure you're good enough for that? I mean, are you even good at basketball?"
Miles puffed out his chest, a grin spreading across his face. "Man, I'm like Mike in his prime. You should see me out there on the court." he said, setting his boombox down. He then threw an exaggerated jump shot into the air for emphasis, making Peter laugh.
"You're crazy," Peter said, shaking his head.
But then Miles added something that shifted the tone of the conversation entirely. "And hey, if we make the team, we'll be surrounded by girls. You know they love athletes."
Peter's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as a serious tone took over. "I'm not doing this for the glory, Miles. I've been there, done that," he said, his voice dropping a notch. "I learned the hard way that chasing the spotlight doesn't always work out the way you expect. The last time I got caught up in that, well..." His voice trailed off, his thoughts going back to Uncle Ben. He didn't say it aloud, but the weight of those memories lingered in the air between them.
Miles watched him closely, sensing the deeper meaning behind Peter's words. He knew Peter wasn't ready to talk about what had happened, so he didn't push. Instead, he leaned in slightly, offering a lighthearted smile. "Forget I said anything about girls, alright? Just focus on whether it'll be fun for you."
Peter smiled faintly. "You're right. I'll think about it."
Just then, a familiar voice broke through the conversation. "Yo, Peter! Miles!"
Both turned to see Scott and Kurt approaching, their expressions amused as they saw the two standing by the poster.
Peter waved. "What's up, guys?"
Scott walked up to the poster, eyes scanning it thoughtfully. "Basketball tryouts, huh? I've never been much of a player, but I might give it a shot."
Kurt rubbed his chin, raising an eyebrow. "I'm considering it. Might be fun to show off some of my... unique moves."
Miles nudged Peter again, an impish grin on his face. "See? Even Kurt's thinking about it." He then looked at Peter with a playful gleam in his eye. "Come on, man. You can't let us down."
Peter let out a soft laugh, though he still looked a bit uncertain. "I don't know... I'm still not sure I'm cut out for it."
Scott threw an arm around Peter's shoulder with a friendly smirk. "Come on, Pete. You've gotta try out. It'll be fun."
Kurt grinned. "I agree. Nothing wrong with having some fun."
Miles shot Peter a look of encouragement, while Peter stood there, his mind running through the possibilities. Was he really going to do this? Could he pull it off? Finally, after a few moments of internal debate, he made up his mind.
"Alright, alright," Peter said, smiling reluctantly. "I'll try out. But only because you guys are gonna be there."
Miles, Scott, and Kurt cheered, all three of them high-fiving each other. Scott grinned and clapped Peter on the back. "Good call, man. You won't regret it."
Kurt nodded. "With the four of us? No one will stand a chance. We'll be a dream team."
Peter looked around at his friends, a smirk playing on his lips. Maybe it was the pressure of being part of a team. Or maybe it was the camaraderie of the moment.
Either way, the decision felt right.
END OF CHAPTER 4: AFTERMATH
BGM: Spectacular Spider-Man - End Credits
Flash: I just know for a FACT that the king of nerds isn't actually thinking about trying out for the basketball team!
Peter: Flash, can you like… I don't know… Go somewhere else? Please?
Hank: Now now, let's not fight in the hallways, you two.
Miles: WORLDSTARRR!
Jubilee: What in the world did I come back to?
Wanda: Pure chaos.
Psylocke: I understood that reference.
Liz: For the record, nobody uses Worldstar anymore, Miles.
Author's Note: And there ya have it, y'all. Chapter 4 is done. It was pretty fun for me to write, and I hope you guys enjoyed it. I'm sure some of the references are rather obvious, lol. Also, remember what I said in my earlier author's note. You guys can now choose six girls, and if you've already voted, you're free to vote again. Keep in mind that the plan is to still use four girls in the story, though, to kinda replicate what Spectacular Spider-Man did. But since people can vote for more girls, I expect the voting to get pretty crazy. So, if you haven't voted yet… NOW IS THE FREAKIN' TIME! I mean it when I say it, y'all. This is the last time you guys will be able to vote, so make it count. SIX girls, people. SIX.
Additionally, I do have… somewhat of an insurance plan if a girl you guys want isn't chosen. I made a SpideyXEmma story called Diamond In The Sky, a SpideyXJean story called Tangled in Flames, a SpideyXStorm story called Webs of Lightning, a SpideyXRogue story called Life is a Highway, and a SpideyXPsylocke story called Marvel Rivals: The Rise of Doom. Yes, I am essentially working overtime trying to update these stories, but I can handle it… I think, lol. And for all my Kitty fans, I'm working on a SpideyXKitty story. I just have to figure out what the actual plot would be.
Be sure to check out other fics of mine as well. I recently updated Distorted Justice, and I'm in the middle of updating my SpideyXElektra story called Webs and Daggers. Okay, that's all for now. If you guys enjoyed this chapter, then make sure to give this story a FOLLOW and a FAVORITE! Don't forget to READ and REVIEW! Stay safe out there, and I'll see y'all next time. Excelsior!