Ethan wasn't sure what he expected, but the sight of the gang leader sneering at him with that gun in his hand felt strangely... familiar. It was almost as if he had expected this moment, in some way. The faceoff, the tension. It was a scene straight out of the comic books he used to read as a kid, only now he was the one in the mask, the one whose name was being whispered across the city.
The WebWarden.
He shook his head. It was a ridiculous name, sure, but it was his. And the city would have to get used to it.
The gang leader's finger twitched on the trigger, and Ethan's reflexes flared. In a split second, he ducked to the side, a web shooting out from his wrist and sticking to a nearby lamppost. The gang leader fired once, the shot splintering the pavement where Ethan had been standing. But Ethan was already in motion, swinging himself to the side and slinging another web around a nearby wall.
Before the leader could react, Ethan swung back toward him, landing on the hood of a car with an elegant thud that sent the vehicle rocking.
"You missed," Ethan said, his voice calm but with an edge of mockery. His heart was pounding in his chest, the adrenaline coursing through him as he surveyed the scene.
The gang members, clearly out of their depth, started to scatter. The leader, still clutching his gun, yelled for them to fall back. But Ethan had them cornered.
Without a second thought, he let out a series of rapid web blasts, each one hitting a gang member and pinning them to nearby walls and lampposts with a precision that surprised even him. They were immobilized in seconds, struggling but helpless against the sticky webbing that now covered their limbs.
He turned his attention back to the leader, who was still standing frozen in shock, the gun still aimed at Ethan but shaking in his hand.
"Drop it," Ethan ordered, his voice sharper now. His instincts told him not to waste time. If he let this situation drag out, it might get out of hand—he couldn't afford that. Not when he was still learning the ropes.
The leader didn't drop the gun.
Instead, he sneered again, his finger tightening on the trigger. "You think you can stop me, hero? You don't even know who you're dealing with."
Ethan's patience was already wearing thin. "Trust me, I'm not interested in finding out. Just put the gun down, and maybe you won't end up in a body bag tonight."
But the gang leader wasn't listening. With a sudden, wild movement, he raised the gun, preparing to fire.
Time seemed to slow.
Ethan's mind was already in overdrive. He didn't think, he just acted. In one fluid motion, he launched a web to the leader's hand, yanking it sharply to the side just as the shot was fired. The bullet ricocheted off the concrete, missing him by a hair.
With another swift motion, Ethan pounced. He dove forward, knocking the leader off balance and slamming him into the ground with enough force to knock the wind out of him. The gun skittered out of his hand and came to rest several feet away.
Ethan crouched over the gang leader, his breath coming in quick bursts, his heart still racing in his chest. The leader's face was pale now, his eyes wide with fear.
"Listen to me," Ethan said, his voice cold. "You're done. Your crew's done. And if you know what's good for you, you'll tell me who's behind this."
The gang leader let out a string of curses, his body trembling beneath Ethan's weight. For a moment, Ethan wondered if he was going to refuse to talk, but then the man's resolve seemed to crack.
"I—I don't know their real names," the leader stammered, his voice thick with fear. "They're— they're just using us to move stuff. Drugs, weapons, you name it. But I... I can tell you where they're meeting up tonight."
Ethan tilted his head. This was useful. This could lead to something bigger. He didn't have time to waste on criminals who were small potatoes—he needed the bigger picture.
"Good," he said, his voice softening, but still carrying an unmistakable authority. "Where?"
The leader hesitated, clearly thinking over his options, but when Ethan's hand tightened on his arm, his resolve cracked.
"There's a warehouse on Fifth and Pine," he said quickly. "It's a safe house. They'll be there tonight—waiting for the truck. I swear."
Ethan nodded. "Good. Now, you stay here and think about your choices. I'll take care of the rest."
The gang leader tried to speak, but Ethan was already gone, his webs shooting out once more and sending him soaring into the night.
The chase wasn't over. This was only the beginning.
---
The streets of Queens were darkening, the hum of the city taking on a heavier tone as the sun dipped below the horizon. Ethan knew he didn't have much time. The gang leader had given him the location of their meeting point, and Ethan had a feeling it was more than just a run-of-the-mill drug deal. This was part of something bigger.
He was already closing in on the warehouse. It loomed ahead, its silhouette a dark mass against the night sky. He could hear the muffled sound of voices inside, a mix of excitement and tension. But what made his gut twist wasn't just the sound of people talking—it was the sense of something off in the air. Something was wrong. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he could feel it.
Using the web-shooters to swing between buildings, Ethan quickly positioned himself above the warehouse, sticking to the shadows and waiting for the right moment. He could see figures moving around the building, unloading crates into the back.
This wasn't just a simple weapons deal. The number of men and the size of the crates suggested something far more dangerous—something Ethan wasn't sure he was ready to face.
But he wasn't going to back down.
He gritted his teeth, making his decision. The element of surprise would work in his favor. He wasn't just going to stop this deal—he was going to end it.
With a quick flick of his wrist, he shot a web to the nearest rooftop, launching himself into the air. As he soared through the night, he tightened his grip on the webbing and prepared for the landing.
When he hit the ground, he was already moving, his webs flying out in every direction to secure his surroundings. The criminals hadn't even seen him coming.
Ethan's first move was decisive. He webbed up the entrance to the warehouse, cutting off their escape route. There was no turning back now. He was going to make sure that no one got away.
The WebWarden had arrived.