Peter Parker sits on the ledge of his best friend's patio wall, overlooking the cityscape, his mask off and fisted in his left hand. The morning sun is just barely rising over the horizon.
His friend, Harry Osborn leans on the wall, his arms holding his weight.
"Ben had a saying, he had a bunch of sayings, philosophies really, but his favorite one was with great power there must come great responsibility." The boy starts, as he brings his left leg up and holds it close to his chest, "When you can do good things for people you have a moral obligation to do those things."
The teen didn't say anything, he just listened.
"And boy did Ben live up to that; he was seventeen when my grandma died and he had to take care of my dad. He joined the marines just so his little brother could be admitted into the New York Military Academy. And when two little kids were dropped on his doorstep he retired from a lifetime of service to take care of them, to love them like the…y were his own." He wiped his eyes roughly before tears could fall, "He gave and he gave and he gave, that's all he ever did. I… should have followed his example but I was selfish, I didn't think it was my responsibility. I mean I'm not a police officer or a soldier, right? I don't have any type of training, I would just make things worse." He looks towards the older boy who looks back.
No words are exchanged but an understanding is shared.
"I can help people in ways no one else can and maybe I'll mess up but I'll learn, I'll give it everything I've got."
Harry stands straight and smiles, "And I'll be with you, every step of the way." He offers a hand and Peter shakes it. "You're going to change the world Peter and I want to change it with you."
The boy smiles, "Thanks Harry."
"So, what now?"
"Now, I need to go home." He looks back out.
The rich kid nods, "Be careful, you just took down a serial killer a few hours after he killed your uncle, you're going to be prime suspect number one. You need an explanation when the police start asking questions."
"Well, Spider-Man is a friend, isn't he? He came by to congratulate me and I told him what happened, what he did next was out of my hands."
"Sounds plausible, especially when I corroborate but what about your family? Are you going to tell them?"
Peter shakes his head, "Dude I'm twelve."
Snorting, the teen shakes his head, "I mean your aunt can't really stop you, right?"
The preteen gives him side eyes, "One day but not right now." He stands up and stretches. "Mind if I take a shower and borrow some clothes, I need to get to May and Teresa and I don't want to smell like a brewery."
"You got it."
~Spider-Man Evolution~
Mary Jane Watson sits on the couch watching t.v feeling listless and useless.
She knew Ben Parker, knew how good of a man he was, and in a world where there were so little good people left it felt like a montomentual loss.
"Knock! Knock!"
The girl turns towards the entrance to her house and stands up, walking over. Looking through the peephole her eyes widen when she sees Peter standing outside.
She didn't get a good look at him last night but he looked almost nothing like the boy she knew in middle school.
For one he's much taller, standing at her height with bright scarlet hair and, 'Wow, his eyes are yellow.'
If she didn't hear Liz talking about his condition she would have thought he was wearing color contacts.
He looked almost otherworldly with his perfect blemish free skin, eyes that were glowing in the sunlight, and unbelievably bright hair that she's sure no dye could accomplish.
Opening the door, the two looked at one another awkwardly.
She sees him briefly look her up and down before snapping to stare at the top of her head, his cheeks burning brightly.
She looks down at herself and has to swallow her own embarrassment when she realizes what she's wearing; a black spaghetti noodle crop top and pale blue yoga shorts.
"Hi." She raises a hand to give a wave before changing her mind and pressing it against her side.
Peter smiles and it's exactly the same as she remembers, small and unsure but genuine.
How could she ever think he was a creep?
"Hey, are May and Teresa up?"
M.J shrugs, "Um, I don't know? They haven't come down stairs."
He nods, "Alright, do you mind if I wait for them?"
She looks at him like he's stupid, "Of course, Peter. I wouldn't just not let you in." She says and the genius sighs in relief and walks in.
"Thanks."
Walking past he takes a look around, it's a bit smaller and has an older, more feminine aesthetic with flowery wallpaper and soft colors.
"Would um… would you like anything to drink?" M.J asks.
"Uh, sure some water would be great."
"Alright, you can take a seat on the couch." She points to the sofa before walking away.
The boy walks over and moves the blanket over before plopping down, he absentmindedly watches what's on, "Didn't take you for a Doctor Who fan?"
Mary Jane snorts, "Why because I'm a girl?"
"No." He mumbles out, "Just, you seem too cool."
The teen walks over and hands him a glass of water before sitting on the opposite side of the couch, "Doctor Who is cool."
Humming he takes a sip, "Who's your favorite Doctor?"
"Hm, I really like the twelfth Doctor. He's harsh and more serious but is soft when he needs to be. You?"
"Tenth, he was funny and… purposeful. He reminded me of Ben." He says softly.
The teen looks down at his words, "I'm sorry about…" She couldn't find the words, she was sorry about so many things.
"Thank you."
The silence stretched for what feels like forever, "I… Gwen misses you?"
Peter gives her a side eye.
Blushing, she combs her hair over and tries to explain, "We… she… Flash told us everything."
The genius looks surprised, "Oh. That's good." He looks back to the t.v.
M.J looks away and bites her lip, "I'm sorry we didn't believe you, Gwen most of all."
Peter huffs and closes his eyes, "I… thanks but you don't need to be sorry."
"Of course we do." She whispers, "We all said some horrible things to you, about you, we were your friends an–"
"We weren't friends Mary Jane, I was friends with Gwen and you were friends with Gwen, at most we were actiquences." He tells her.
"That's no–"
"It's okay." He sighs, "Flash was her boyfriend, she loved him and we never want to believe the worst in the people we love. I get why she didn't take me at my word and I get why you nor Cindy believed me, frankly I probably wouldn't have believed anyone who said a bad word about Gwen. There were a million things I could have done to prove I was telling the truth but I panicked, couldn't think and as more time passed I panicked more. God Mary Jane," Shaking his head he can't help the chuckle bubbling out of his throat, "I screamed about Gwen's nudes in the middle of the hallway twice, not the best choice."
The girl pressed her lips together, "I… youth makes fools of us all?"
Peter looks at her and cracks a smile, "You know my uncle said the same thing."
M.J smiles back, "I… do you think we can be friends, for real?"
He looks hesitant, "You know I'm not the best with people."
"I can be kinda a bitch."
"I don't know when to shut up when I need to, I heard it's annoying."
"I'm totally obsessed with my music." She retorts, "I've been told it's kinda a turn off."
He laughs, "It's really not, you're passionate and your music is awesome."
She giggles in surprise, "You listen to my music?"
He nods, "Jackpot right? I found your guy's YouTube channel and If I'm being honest I watched that shit on repeat."
The other's giggles turn into a gleeful laugh, "You know it was kinda amazing hearing you talk about science, you sound just like the Doctor."
Grinning, he says, "I think that's the best compliment I've ever gotten."
She snorts out, "You must not get a lot of compliments."
Shrugging, Peter looks at the girl and can't help but feel butterflies in his stomach, "I would love to be your friend Mary Jane."
"My friends call me M.J, Peter."
"My friends call me Pete, Petey if I'm feeling cute."
Mary Jane huffs out a laugh, "I don't remember you being funny."
Rolling his eyes, he leans back on the couch and watches the show.
"Hey, Petey?"
He turns and raises an eyebrow.
"You think you and Gwen can be friends again? She really does miss you."
Peter smiles at the thought of seeing Gwen again, "I miss her too."
She grins and hops over to sit closer beside him, "Good, than maybe yo–"
But," He continues and her smile dims, "It still hurts thinking about her and frankly, I'm in enough pain right now."
The teen closes her eyes but nods, "I understand."
"Maybe one day."
"Okay." She can't stop the sad frown that marks her face.
Peter knocks her shoulder with his own, "Do you think I can get a live performance?" He asks.
M.J brightens, "Yeah, let's head over to the garage." She stands and the other follows, they walk past the kitchen into the hallway towards the closest door on the left.
The girl turns the knob open and the two walk through, she flicks the light switch on the right up, brightening the place.
In the middle of the space is a deep purple electric guitar on a stand next to two medium sized amps and a microphone.
The older of the two walks to the guitar and hangs it on her shoulder, she plugs it into the amp and quickly adjusts the volume so she doesn't walk up the whole house, "Alright, so have any requests?"
Peter taps his lip in thought, "Face It Tiger?"
Mary Jane nods, she takes a breath and starts strumming; it's fast and upbeat, already full of energy.
~"Looking for a ticket out of this life,
Searching for a way I can feel alive,
Who knew my answer was just next door?"~
The genius can't help his grin, her voice is smooth and full of energy.
~"I'll admit that you weren't,
What I expected at first,
But now you're what I'm living for."~
Mary Jane taps her foot and pumps her shoulders, really getting into the song.
~"With you life is amazing and spectacular,
Even in this not-so-friendly neighborhood,
It keeps getting better."~
~"This love is radioactive,
Nothing else can describe it, no, oh,
It's super-charged, explosive,
Rocket fuelled and out of control,
Face it tiger, we hit the jackpot!"~
~"Sometimes it feels like we get stuck with bad luck,
If a Black Cat crosses your path,
Remember luck's something we've never had,
And we've never failed before."~
~"With you I feel amazing and spectacular,
Even on the bad days you remind me,
Things'll get better."~
~"This love is radioactive,
Nothing else can describe it, no, oh,
It's super-charged, explosive,
Rocket fuelled and out of control…"~
~"This love's a rollercoaster,
I don't wanna slow down, no, oh,
Baby could you hold me closer
Swinging past the bright lights below,
Face it tiger, we hit the jackpot!"~
~"Now I'm tangled up in your secrets,
What seemed perfect's got me in a mess,
I'm not a True Believer of fairy tales or magic,
But since you I find it hard to be so skeptical."~
~"I know we'll make it through, (will make it through)
Together, me and you, (just me and you)
There's no way we can lose, cos,"~
~"This love is radioactive,
Nothing else can describe it, no, oh,
It's super-charged, explosive,
Rocket fuelled and out of control"~
~"This love is a survivor,
Catching all that life can throw, oh,
Baby there could be no other,
That I'd keep coming back to,
Aren't you glad you gave it a shot (Ah - ah)
Took a chance now look what we've got, (Ah - ah)
Face it tiger, we hit the jackpot!"~
The boy claps, "That was amazing! You wrote that song, right?"
M.J takes a deep breath and nods with an easy smile, "Yeah! It's my first song. I've been trying to write more but…" Her face falls as she remembers the many failed attempts, "It's safe to say I do not have a career as a songwriter, Gwen is much better at it."
"Right, she wrote Cloud 9, Genie in a Bottle, and I'm Your Girl, those are great! All your songs are amazing! I'm really surprised you guys aren't more popular."
"Right?! I mean it's been six months and we only got like a thousand subscribers, what's up with that?"
Shaking his head, he shrugs in amusement, "I'm glad you're guys friendship is still going strong, writing songs about each other is top tier friendship goals."
M.J blushes brightly, "Wha… what? No, no! I… I didn't write…" Her words trail off when she sees the boy's knowing look. "How did you know?"
Peter scratches the back of his head, "Well, Gwen's hair looks like tiger stripes."
She looks disbelieving, "That's it?! Oh boo! Boo to you!"
"What's the big deal?" He asks in confusion but as he notices her bright red cheeks his eyes widen, "Oh, so you didn't mean… oh."
M.J looks down, "I can't believe this."
"Hey, it's not a big deal–"
"Yes it is!" She snaps, "I haven't even come out to aunt Anna yet!" She feels her eyes watering.
Peter presses his lips tightly, "You're right, I'm sorry."
Sighing, the girl sits on her guitar amp, pressing her palms against her eyes, "I guess you're not so bad, I mean there's definitely worse people to come out to."
He doesn't say anything.
"Peter," She looks up and stares at the genius, "I'm Bisexual with a strong preference for women."
"I… um… wow I have no idea what to say."
Mary Jane snorts, "You're such a fucking dork."
"Yeah, can't really deny that." He looks around awkwardly. "I'm straight by the way."
She closes her eyes and tries to keep herself from laughing, "Really? Couldn't have guessed." Opening her eyes she stretches out her legs before crossing them, her bare thighs pressing together and her eyes become sly.
Peter swallows thickly as he watches, his eyes flicker back to her and he can see the amusement, "That… proves nothing."
"Hmm…" She hums in doubt.
"I could be Bi!"
"Are you?" M.J asks with a raised eyebrow.
He hangs his head, "No."
"Ha! It's okay, Petey. I'm hot and I know it."
"You're not that hot."
She smirks, "So you admit I'm a little bit hot."
Peter opens his mouth before closing it, "I have a girlfriend."
Mary Jane huffs in amusement, "What does that have to do with anything?"
"I'm contractually obligated not to say anybody, except my girlfriend, is hot."
Her whole body shakes in giggles, "Can I see this contract?"
The boy pats his pants pockets, "Must have left it in my other pants." He winces and shrugs.
"Pfft, how convenient."
"Isn't it just?"
The teen stands and unplug her guitar before taking it off her shoulders and placing it back on the stand, "Come on." She waves the boy towards the door and the two walk back inside the house.
The duo pace through the hallway and as they step into the living area they see Peter's family along with Anna Watson sitting at the rectangular dining table next to the entrance that looks out the window.
They look surprised at his appearance, Teresa Parker jumps to her feet, she rushes over and hugs Peter tightly, tears immediately springing from her eyes.
"Pe…petey!" She cries, "I… I'm so glad to see you!"
The boy wraps his arms around her, "Hey, Te." He rests his cheek on top of her head. "I'm sorry for leaving, I shouldn't ha–"
"I und…understand. " His sister sobs out, "It was a lot."
May Parker stands up and shuffles over to the siblings bringing her own arms around them, "I wish you didn't run off, I was so worried b...but you were in pain." She stutters, her voice turning watery.
"So were you." He says and closes his eyes, "You needed me, the both of you did and I ran from you and that wasn't okay. Ben would have been as…hamed." His voice breaks.
The woman sobs at her husband's name, "He would be the first one to tell you not to be so hard on yourself."
"Yeah, Petey." Teresa pulls away and looks sternly at the older boy, "Li…like uncle Ben always said, it's always better to separate yourself from a situation if it becomes too much than to hurt yourself trying to be strong."
"Still–"
"Peter please." His aunt pleads, "Just… just…" She can't find the words but her voice is enough to pull the boy out of his depreciation.
"Okay." He nods, "Okay."
The three Parker's went to the table and sat down, May at the head with Teresa at her left side and Peter at her right.
M.J took the seat next to the boy's and opposite to her aunts, she briefly rubs his shoulder in comfort.
"Where did you go anyway Petey?" His sister asks.
"I went back to Harry's, I didn't really know where else to go."
May gives a soft nod, "I'm so glad you made such a good friend, remind me to bake him something."
Peter gives a nod of his own, "Harry's the best. I couldn't ask for a better friend."
M.J has to hold back a frown, not was definitely not the time to let her feelings about the older teen out.
"I… Spider-Man actually swung by." He says and everybody looks at him in surprise.
"Really?" Teresa perks up, "That's so cool."
"Yeah, though imagine his surprise when there was no party." Peter shakes his head.
"He… he didn't do anything bad, right?"
Teresa rolls her eyes, "Aunt May Spider-Man wouldn't do anything like you're thinking, he's awesome."
"He's a clown, swinging around and making a spectacle of himself. No manners." Anna retorts, getting a nod of agreement from her friend.
Peter blinks at the harsh opinions from the two older ladies and feels a flash of hurt that his aunt didn't like his alter ego but quickly pushes past it, "He was actually really… helpful." He struggles to find the words. "He put some things in perspective, made me realize what Ben would have wanted from me… though when he left he seemed intense."
"Intense?" M.J raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, unusually focused. He's usually, well, a bit of a clown." He gestured to Anna, "Likes to show off his powers, but… I don't really know how to explain it. "
"Enough about that hooligan." Mary Jane's aunt huffs, "Why don't I cook us all something to eat." She stands up.
"Oh, let me–"
"No." The older woman waggles her finger, "Don't you dare May, just relax."
The Parker woman sighs but nods.
Time slowly passes and before long Anna serves them up some hash browns with scrambled eggs. They all make small talk, mostly M.J and Anna.
Eventually though someone knocks on the door.
The woman of the house stands and walks over, looking through the peephole, "May, it's George."
Peter's aunt blinks and stands, she ambles over. When she stands beside the other her friend opens the entrance.
George Stacy is an older man at fifty six years old and stands at an impressive six foot-four. He has a stocky build with a beige skin tone, icy blue eyes, and silver hair.
"May. Anna." He greets them with a soft tone, "It's… good to see you two despite the circumstances."
Anna smiles warmly while May frowns.
"Captain Stacy." The younger woman coldly addresses.
Peter cringes at the tone and his eyes meet M.J's whose own face is twists in discomfort.
Teresa herself closes her eyes, ignoring the unease that seems to fill the room.
"May… I…"
"Why are you here Captain?" May asks.
The man sighs, "I… feel like you deserve to hear the news in person and from a familiar face. I know we parted on rough terms but Ben was my commanding officer and you and I grew up together, I will always consider the three of us as family."
She closes her eyes and turns away, desperately trying to keep her tears at bay.
The police captain begins explaining, "We had come to suspect a serial killer known as Carnage to be responsible for Ben's death but before we could locate the assailant we received a call late last night claiming they had identified and captured him. After investigating we have concluded they indeed had and that our suspicions were correct, he did murder your husband."
May heaves out a sob and covers her mouth.
"We have him, May." George smiles, "And he'll rot."
Her legs completely lose strength and she falls on her knees, Anna crouches down wrapping her arms around her friend.
Peter and Teresa quickly rush over to their aunt with M.J not far behind, worry is clear in all their expressions.
The man stares at the boy who tries to comfort his aunt, an unreadable look in his eyes, "We believe that the person who captured Carnage is Spider-Man." He watches everyone still.
"Wh… what?" Peter stutters out, "Spider-Man captured Ben's… why?" He asks softly, confusion clear for all to hear.
Gwen's father narrows his eyes as he spots sweat on the kid's brow, his shifty eyes going from person to person, as if trying to gauge their reaction.
Teresa can't help the smile that eclipses her face, "You said he seemed different last night, Petey! You… you must have inspired him!"
George watches as May's nephew heaves his chest.
"Yo…you think?"
"Where were you last night, Peter?" The man asks.
The genius blinks at the sudden question, "I wa…was with my friend, Harry OsbOrn." His voice cracks.
"All nig–"
"Get out." May forces herself to her feet with the help of Anna and M.J.
"May–" He tries to talk but is immediately cut off.
"Thank you for telling me, you have no idea the weight you lifted off my chest but I won't let you interrogate my Peter, Captain."
The officer gives a small nod and turns around, walking away.
The woman's friend closes the door and the house is left in silence.
"Peter," May turns to look at Peter, "Thank Spider-Man f…for me and t…te…tell him if he ever needs anything our door is always o…open."
"I knew it, I knew he was going to become a superhero." Teresa wipes her eyes roughly, "I told you."
"You did." He mutters and takes the girl in his arms as she shutters in his chest, "You told me."
~Spider-Man Evolution~
Gwendolyn Stacy sits with her father in The Reform Temple of Forest Hills.
The house of worship was filled with people, some she recognized but most she didn't, she tries listening as the rabbi prays but can't help when her mind wanders.
She still couldn't believe Ben was dead, she saw him a few weeks ago and now the man was gone… just gone.
Just like her mom.
Ben was like a second father to her, until she ruined it and now she'll never make up with him.
Never see him again.
"And now the hesped from Benjamin's nephew, Peter Parker." The rabbi says and steps to the side as the boy stands up from his seat and walks to the front, looking out to the crowd.
The left side of his suit jacket is torn, from what she knows of Jewish culture it is supposed to represent a torn heart.
Gwen can't help the awe she feels seeing him. The last time she laid eyes on him he was barely four feet with thin hair and amber eyes dulled behind the thickest glasses she ever saw.
Now he stood tall, well tall for his age, and definitely taller than her. He clearly dyed his hair and if she didn't hear Liz talking about his eye condition she would have thought the boy was wearing color contacts.
Peter… he didn't look entirely human. He looked like, like, 'an angel.' She blushes at the thought and clenches her eyes for a moment, taking a deep calming breath.
She could see hints of her old friend; the way he stood with his shoulder slightly hunched into themselves, his habit of picking at his fingernails, and the way he avoided looking at anyone right in the eyes, focusing just above them.
His eyes briefly slid over Gwen and her heart pounds when they slid down briefly to meet them before looking out to everyone else.
'He still cares?' She could cry in relief.
Peter tried so hard to not make direct eye contact with anyone, only the illusion of it. He only made the effort for people he cared about because he knew how much it meant to them and the fact he did it for her… even now, she can't help but smile.
"Benjamin Parker was a good man, unlike any other, and he believed that if you had the power to do something for the betterment of another then it was your responsibility to do so. He lived his life by that philosophy; He joined the marines at seventeen because his country and more importantly, his brother, needed him to. He took in two orphan children and gave them a life full of laughter, kindness, and most of all, love. He helped create a shelter for those with less means than himself, helping them gain back the lives they lost." Peter takes a breath, "Ben Parker would have told each and everyone of us to rise above our grief, to open up our eyes to the love that still surrounds us and let go of our sadness. We must honor him and rise above."
He walks back to his seat and Gwen sees what must be Harry wrapping his arm around the boy and bringing him in a side hug. Her chest felt tight, 'That should be me.'
She shakes the thought off and feels disgust at herself because how dare she? 'This isn't about me! Just be glad he has someone, even if that someone isn't you.'
As the ceremony ends, multiple men stand up from their seats towards the small stage and lift the wooden casket onto their shoulders before carrying it down the middle aisle with everyone following them.
As they enter him into the waiting black hearse, everyone goes to their cars and follows them to the cemetery.
~Spider-Man Evolution~
Peter sits at his dining table, surrounded by family, what little he had left, and friends. Though he didn't know any of them for that long Harry and Sally were amazing friends not to mention Liz who had called him every day since he ran out of the party and refused to let him ignore her.
She had been as much of a rock as Harry and Mary Jane had been, keeping him from drowning in regret and rage.
He had no idea what he would have done without any of them by his side.
He wished Mary Jane was with the four of them but he understood why she sat with Gwen on the other side of the room.
No matter his hurt feelings or anger at his first friend Ben was her family too. That was an undeniable fact, his aunt and uncle had helped Mr. And Mrs. Stacy with Gwen.
Then he came along, his parents dropping him off periodically and then having to spend long weeks or months with Ben and May, she became like a sister to him.
He knew many people assumed he didn't remember his parents but he did, he remembers his mom's smile and his father's laugh. The salt in his father's hair, the mole under his mother's right eye that Teresa shared.
Most of all he remembered how much they loved him… but not enough to stay with him. Always going off and leaving him behind, he loved his parents but he doesn't think he liked them very much.
They had a responsibility to him and Teresa, one they shucked off to Ben and May. In the end he saw his aunt and uncle as his parents long before Richard Mary died.
Closing his eyes, he rubs the bridge of his nose and tries to keep the tears at bay.
God, he's such a bad son isn't he?
"You okay, Petey?" Elizabeth Allan asks with worried eyes as she takes a hold of his hand and rubs the back of it with her thumb.
"Yeah, I'm just… I'm just thinking about my parents. You would think after nine years it wouldn't hurt as much but it does. The wound never really closes."
His best friend hums, "It doesn't, does it? I have good days when the thought of my mom gives me… peace I guess but I also have bad days where even thinking of her name makes me so angry I want to punch something. We say time heals all wounds but I can still feel it and it still hurts."
Sally Avril looks at her boyfriend in astonishment, he never talked about his mother but soon a sadness enters her eyes, she takes his own hand in hers and squeezes.
To her relief he doesn't pull away, instead squeezes it back just as tight.
Peter sighs, "I guess all we can do is honor them, hope we become the people they wanted us to be."
"People they would be proud to call their children."
The two share a heartfelt smile.
Liz squeezes his hand tightly and kisses his cheek, "I know I didn't know you're uncle all that well but he seemed to be so proud of you, so in awe. I bet even now he's looking down beaming at how strong you're being."
The boy huffs a laugh and kisses her back, his lips lightly grazing the corner of her mouth, "God, I ho...hope so." His voice cracks slightly.
~Spider-Man Evolution~
Peter doesn't really know what to do. He had spent the last seven days performing Shiva in honor of his uncle and entered Sheloshim. Unlike his aunt or sister he decided his first act of reentering the world would be fulfilling the vow he made, his atonement.
He crouches on a ledge of an apartment building in his costume, feeling the rays of the sun beating on his leather jacket.
Scanning the area he stops focusing on his heartbeat and winces at the influx of information but slowly he shifts through it and snaps his head to the side. He leaps off and swings, it doesn't take him land on the side of a wall, he crawls into an alleyway and sees what's clearly a mugging.
It's two men, one pointing a gun at another who is shakily reaching into their pocket.
"Hurry the fuck up!" The mugger presses the gun to his victim's forehead who flinches and clenches his eyes closed.
"So…sorry! I'm sorry!"
The boy realizes he has no idea what to do. Should he pull the mugger away? Pull the victim away? Maybe he should pull the gun out of the mugger's hand?
But… the gun is trained on the whimpering man, if he doesn't do it perfectly then he's dead and it being his first time there's no way he can do it perfectly.
Same with pulling either man away. If he pulls the mugger, the mugger panics and pulls the trigger and the person he tried to save is dead.
If he pulls the victim, the mugger sees movement and pulls the trigger before he can get them out of the way and their dead.
So, what does he do?
What would Ben do?
Peter thinks of the man who never ever threw the first punch but always had a kind word and a joke ready; the friendly neighbor Ben Parker, "Hey buddy!" He calls out.
Both men jump, the mugger turns around but sees nobody, the victim looks up and his eyes widen.
"Sp…pider-Man?"
The mugger turns to the other with confusion and follows his eyes.
Peter twists his body and uses his legs to support himself , "I know the economy is bad but robbing someone in broad daylight isn't the smartest thing to do."
The mugger scowls, "What is it to you bug?!" He points the gun up at him.
"Bu…bug? Dude I'm a… an arachnid." The boy stutters as the gun is trained on him, pushing himself off the wall he flips onto the ground in a low crouch, "Wh…why don't you put the gun down, alright?" He can't help the fear coating his words. "You don't want to do something you'll regret."
The criminal scoffs, "Regret? I think I'll be doing the world a favor by getting rid of a freak like you!"
"BAnG!"
Peter's head rings and leaps up, the bullet missing him by a mile. He spins a web line that captures the gun and yanks, as he lands behind the other he turns around quickly and shoots out a web net that wraps around the criminal.
"Ah!" He screams and tries to bust out but can't, he turns towards the boy with fury, "Get me out of here! Before I– Mhm!"
Peter webs his mouth closed before aiming at his feet and coating them in a layer of his webs to make sure he doesn't escape. Taking a deep breath he feels his whole body shake.
He can't believe he actually got shot at.
Turning towards the victim he takes a step forward but they flinch away.
"Don… Don't come any closer, monster!" The man turns and runs out of the alleyway.
The genius is taken aback, he knew not everyone liked him, that some were scared of what he could do or what he is but… he guess it's different being face to face with it instead of behind a computer screen.
Shaking his head, he takes out the phone Ben gave him that he tricked out to corrupt his image, recently he encrypted it so when he called the police they wouldn't be able to track him.
He dials 9-1-1.