A barely conscious Peter drifts through the water, soon landing outside of the sewers in the rain. He tries to contact Ben, but only gets static. Peter struggles to his feet, still not fully healed from his injuries. He webs his side, covering his stab wound, and slowly walks through the streets of New York, staying in the shadows and out of sight. Peter soon collapses in a dark alley, unable to keep walking. Soon three teenagers(one of them being the same girl Peter saved weeks ago) walk past the alley and sees the hero on the ground.
"Oh shit, it's him. It's Spider-Bat yo." She says.
"He doesn't look too good. Should we call someone?" One of the other teenagers asks.
"No way, then they'd take off his mask and find out who he is." The teenage girl says.
"Then what do we do?" The other teenager asks.
At that moment, Catwoman drops down infront of them.
"Alright kiddos, I'll take it from here." Felicia says.
"Hold on, how we know we can trust you?" One of the teenagers asks.
Felicia hisses at them, causing two of them to run away. The girl who Peter saved stays for a moment, staring at Spider-Bat on the ground behind Felicia.
"He's going to be ok, right?" She asks.
Felicia stares at the worried girl for a moment.
"Yeah he'll be fine, don't worry." Felicia says.
"He saved my life." The girl says.
Felicia smirks.
"Yeah, mine too. Now get out of here already."
The girl smiles and walks away. Felicia turns to Peter, surprised to see him in this condition. She kneels down to him, putting her hand on his back.
"Jesus, Peter. What the hell happened to you?"
Later on, Felicia carries the barely conscious Peter into her apartment and lays him down on her couch. As Peter passes out fully she takes off the upper part of his suit to treat his injuries, but is surprised to see most of them are slowly healing. She then looks at the unconscious hero, running her fingers through his hair and putting her hand on the side of his face. She then pulls away after a few minutes then walks into another room, letting Peter rest. Days later Peter jumps up, out breath and in a cold sweat, getting flashes of the Labyrinth. As he is confused about where he is, Felicia quickly comes into the room, trying to calm him down.
"Easy Spider, relax. You're safe." Felicia says, putting her hand on his chest.
Peter stares at Felicia for a moment, slowly catching his breath and sitting back down.
"Where am I?" Peter asks.
"My apartment. You've been out on my couch for two days." Felicia says.
Peter looks at her surprised.
"I've been out for two days? You've been taking care of me for two days?"
Felicia smirks and sits down next to Peter.
"Yeah, a little bit. Luckily you didn't have to use the bathroom." Felicia says.
Peter smiles.
"Thank you." Peter says.
Felicia tries to hide her smile.
"Like I said, I'm allergic to owing people. You saved my life at the debate. The least I could do is give you a half decent couch to rest."
The two share a chuckle.
"So- what happened to you anyway? You disappear for two weeks, then show back up half dead in a dark alley."
Peter stays silent for a moment.
"The court of owls... I went to go investigate in the sewers. One of the Talons took me by surprise and trapped me in a labyrinth. I was... stuck wandering. No food. No water. No sleep. Just hallucinations and ominous messages." Peter says.
"Jesus. Sounds like it was rough." Felicia says.
Peter stares off into the distance, remembering everything he went through in the Labyrinth.
"Yeah... it was." He says.
Felicia stares at Peter, realizing that he's been through a lot both physically and mentally.
"I don't get you, Spider. You suffer willingly when you don't have to. You give your sweat, blood, and skin... even your sanity, without so much as a complaint. I've asked you this before, but why do it? Harry's one thing, he's your friend, but why risk your life for people who wouldn't do the same?"
Peter doesn't answer for a moment.
"When my parents were killed... I made a promise. A vow. To protect this city and every innocent person who lives here. To go out there every night so no kid looses their parents the way I did. No killing. No guns. Just me, and my own two hands. Because with great power, comes great responsibility." Peter says, looking at Felicia in her eyes.
Felicia stares at Peter for a moment, then smiles.
"Well... You're better than most."
"So are you. Even if you don't want to admit it." Peter says.
Felicia chuckles.
"You're a good man, Peter. But good men don't lie with thieves. I know what I am. No noble intentions... just the thrill of breaking what they say can't be broken. Just to prove I can." Felicia says, moving closer to Peter.
Peter smiles, wrapping his arm around her. Felicia grins, snuggling up against him almost like a cat. He then kisses her on the forehead and she looks up at him.
"I was hoping for something more than that." Felicia says.
The two stare into each others eyes, the two share a kiss. As they get more passionate, Peter picks her up and takes her in the other room, for the rest of the night. The next morning, Peter wakes up next to a sleeping Felicia and smiles at how beautiful she is.
"Rise and shine." Peter says in a gentle voice.
Felicia smiles.
"Not yet. I'm starving." She replies, slowly opening her eyes.
Peter leans in and kisses her again.
"Not quite what I was looking for, but..."
Felicia kisses him back and he gets up from bed.
"I'll make us some breakfast." Peter says.
"You sure you can do that without your butler?" Felicia jokingly says.
Peter chuckles.
"Hey, if I can learn one hundred and twenty seven fighting styles, I think I can learn how to scramble eggs." Peter says.
"Well you might wanna check expiration dates, before you put anything in your mouth." Felicia adds.
When Peter leaves the room, he hears beeping in the room.
"Well I haven't started cooking yet, so that's not the smoke detector."
He searches through the apartment, soon finding his ear piece in his mask.
"Huh, I guess this thing wasn't busted afterall."
Peter takes it out of his mask and puts it in his ear.
"Peter!" Ben's worried voice says.
"Ben, man it's good to hear your voice."
"Same to you, my dear boy. Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine now. The Court grabbed me while I was in the sewers. I escaped but... I was in bad shape."
"Well thank goodness you're alright now. I was so worried. I didn't know what had happened. Didn't know if you were-"
"I'm sorry Uncle Ben, I didn't mean to worry you."
"I'm just glad you're ok. Where are you now, sir?"
Peter hesitates for a moment.
"I'm uh..at Felicia's."
Ben is surprised.
"Oh? Master Peter, I hope you realize that when I suggested for you to move on with Ms. Kyle, I was only joking." Ben says.
Peter chuckles and smiles.
"I really like her." Peter says.
Ben smiles, feeling joy for him
"Well, I'm happy for you, Peter." Ben says.
At that moment, Peter hears a knock on the door.
"Ben, I gotta go. Talk to you later."
Felicia steps out and signals for Peter to get his suit out of the living room. Peter quickly grabs it and runs to the other room where he sees Felicia's cat.
"Hi." Peter says, waving at the cat.
"Harry?" Felicia says.
When Peter hears this he drops his suit out of shock and peaks outside of the door to see Harry holding flowers.
"Hey. Can I come in?" Harry asks.
"I- don't know if that's such a good idea."
"Just for a minute. I've been... going through a lot, and you're the only one I feel like I can talk to."
At that moment Felicia's cat jumps on Peter's leg. He swipes the cat away and she runs out of the room, opening the door and revealing Peter standing there. Harry is shocked to see a shirtless Peter.
"Pete?"
Felicia face palms herself.
"Seriously?" She asks herself.
Harry then barges into the apartment, anger slowly filling up inside of him.
"What are you doing here? It's been weeks, I haven't heard anything from you?"
"Harry, have a seat." Felicia says.
"No! I don't need to sit down, Peter tell me what is going on." Harry demands.
Peter thinks for a moment.
"I spent the night here, that's it." Peter says, trying to calm down his friend.
Harry gets even more angry and throws the flowers to the ground.
"You... you... I can't believe this! I've been worried about you, worried that something happened to you but you've just been fooling around with Felicia!" Harry yells.
Felicia reaches out to calm Harry down.
"Just calm down." Felicia says.
Harry quickly pulls away.
"Don't touch me! I thought I would come here and- so stupid! God I should have known! I should have known you would do this to me! First Gwen, now Felicia!"
Peter's eyes widen when he hears Gwen's name as Felicia turns to him.
"Gwen?" Felicia asks.
Peter doesn't respond and focuses on his bestfriend.
"Harry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen."
Harry slams his fist against the table.
"Shut the hell up! Stop talking like you're my friend, we're not! In highschool I felt bad for you. Flash Thompson kept giving you crap and I felt sorry for you."
Harry's voice changes and gets into Peter's face.
"None of it was real. How could you ever think it was?" He says.
Felicia steps infront of Harry.
"You done? You want something, you gotta say something. Nobody's responsible for your hurt feelings. We got one drink and I never called, deal with it."
Harry glares at Peter.
"He- He won't be able to protect you. Just ask Gwen." Harry says.
"And I don't need him to. Just- get out of here, Harry."
Harry clenches his fists.
"You'll die alongside of him." Harry says.
"She'll be fine." Peter says.
Harry's voice changes again as he laughs.
"Funny. Thinking you have a choice. Thinking you can save the people around you. Thinking you could do what Harry couldn't!"
Harry is then shocked by his own words.
"I'm sorry." Harry says.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Felicia asks.
"Too much! Up until now, Harry has been weak. He's been afraid."
Harry takes off his mask, revealing the burnt half of his face, horrifying Felicia.
"Oh my God." She says.
"This... this is the monster they all know what you are. Embrace it!" Harry says, punching a mirror.
Peter and Felicia are stunned while tears drip down Harry's face and blood drips down his hand.
"No. No! God, this is what you wanted to see isn't it? The freak!?" Harry yells.
"Harry..." Peter says with compassion.
Harry then throws his mask at Peter, who dodges easily.
"Alright, get out or-" Felicia starts to say.
"Or what? Harry won't be pushed around anymore. No, he's going to make them all pay! Everyone who thought they could hurt him and get away with it! Starting with you. Both of you!"
"Harry, you are our friend. We don't want to fight you." Peter says.
"But I do!"
Harry then pulls out his coin.
"Gotta be fair about this. Can't play favorites. They both deserve it. One way or another."
He flips the coin and glares at them.
"Felicia... you're first."
Harry then charges at Felicia, but Peter quickly steps infront of him and pins him on the table.
"Harry, you don't wanna do this." Peter says.
"Always getting in the middle of things, ever since we were kids." Harry says, pushing Peter out of the way.
Harry then turns his attention to Felicia.
"Stay the hell away from me." Felicia demands.
"The calls already been made!"
Peter grabs Harry by the arm but Harry hits him in the face, yet again horrifying himself.
"Pete... I don't want to hurt you... this isn't... they turned their backs on you!" Harry says to himself.
Harry turns to Peter with sorrow in his eyes.
"Please, I don't want to be alone Peter. Please not with him." Harry says.
Peter and Felicia look at each other is shock. Peter then walks over to Harry, putting his hand on his shoulder.
"You're not alone, Harry." Peter says.
Harry looks at Peter for a moment.
"Yes... I am." Harry says, walking towards the door.
Peter tries to go after him but Felicia stops him.
"Peter- I don't think we can help him." Felicia says.
"I can't abandon him, he's my friend."
"I know, but he needs- professional help." Felicia says.
Peter thinks for a moment, soon deciding to let him go. When Harry leaves Peter sighs, feeling like he let his friend down. Felicia puts her hand on Peter's chest, comforting him as he holds it.
Later that night, Harry is sitting alone in his house, drinking a glass of bourbon. He then starts to hear familiar laughing that sends a chill down his spine.
"Who's there?!" He yells.
He keeps hearing laughter through the house, causing him clenching his glass tighter.
"Who's that?" Harry asks.
"Son." He hears behind him.
Harry quickly turns around and sees his father, his father before the Goblin, standing in the mirror.
"I'm home." Norman says.
"Dad?"
"That's right Harry. I'll always be here, in you. To tell you what needs to be done... The Court of Owls, Peter, they are your enemy that need to be taught a lesson." Norman says.
Fear and worry starts to fill up inside Harry.
"But Pete's my bestfriend."
"And I'm your father. And I am telling you to make him pay, to make everyone pay."
"Dad."
"You're weak. You were always weak, you'll always be weak until you take control. Now you know the truth about Peter. Who he truly is. Be strong Harry. Make him pay."
Tears start falling down his face as he shakes his head no.
"MAKE HIM PAY!" Norman yells.
"NO!" Harry yells back, throwing his glass at the mirror, shattering it.
Harry slowly walks towards the mirror and looks at his reflection through the shattered glass.
"Yes..." Harry says with a different voice.