Ethan sat cross-legged on the floor of his small apartment, scrolling through videos on his laptop. His mask rested on the table beside him, the events of last night's encounter with Hammerhead replaying in his mind. Hammerhead's raw strength had caught him off guard, and while Ethan's agility had kept him alive, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd barely scraped through the fight.
He clicked on a video titled "Top 10 Martial Arts for Self-Defense." The screen lit up with footage of practitioners executing precise strikes and fluid movements. Ethan leaned forward, absorbing every detail. Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and even Krav Maga—all of them offered something he lacked: discipline, efficiency, and raw combat ability.
"Dodging bullets and swinging webs only gets you so far," Ethan muttered. "I need to hit harder. Smarter."
He closed the laptop and stood, stretching out his sore muscles. His enhanced physique gave him an edge, but it wasn't enough. If he was going to take on the city's biggest threats, he needed more than just spider powers. He needed to push himself further.
Ethan grabbed his hoodie and stepped outside. The early morning air was crisp, and the streets were quiet. Perfect conditions for what he had planned. He swung out toward the industrial district, scanning for a secluded area.
After a few minutes, he found an abandoned construction site. Rusting containers and broken-down vehicles littered the space, providing exactly the kind of impromptu gym he needed.
Ethan approached an old, overturned sedan, the paint faded and chipped. He crouched low, gripping the car's frame. With a deep breath, he pushed with all his might. The car groaned in protest, but slowly, it began to lift.
His muscles burned as he strained against the weight, his enhanced strength kicking in. Finally, he managed to lift the car a few inches off the ground before setting it back down.
"Okay," Ethan said, panting. "That's... a start."
Over the next few hours, he pushed himself to his limits. He flipped over rusted containers, practiced punching dents into steel beams, and even carried an old truck tire across the lot. Sweat poured down his face, but he felt the difference with every movement.
Ethan incorporated what he'd learned from the videos, focusing on form and control. He mimicked Muay Thai strikes against a metal pole, the sharp clang of his fists echoing through the air. When exhaustion threatened to take over, he reminded himself of why he was doing this.
Hammerhead was just the beginning, he thought. The city needs someone strong enough to handle what's coming.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ethan swung back home, muscles aching but spirits high. He collapsed onto his couch, pulling his laptop back out. If he kept this up, he'd need a better routine, maybe even a real mentor.
The next day at school, Ethan found himself in Dr. Connors' lab class. He'd always liked the subject—science was practical, logical, and it gave him an edge in understanding his own abilities.
"Alright, class," Dr. Connors said, standing at the front. "Today, we're starting our semester projects. I'll be pairing you up, so listen carefully."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, half-listening as Dr. Connors read off names.
"Parker and Daniels."
Ethan blinked, sitting up straight. Peter Parker? He glanced across the room, where Peter looked equally surprised.
As everyone moved to find their partners, Ethan made his way over to Peter.
"Hey," Ethan said, offering a hand. "Looks like we're partners."
Peter shook his hand, his grip firm but slightly excited. "Yeah, guess so. It's been a while, since we partnered last time. Any idea what project we should tackle?"
"I think the last time we partnered was for chemistry lab, last year", Ethan smirked, already forming a plan. "How about something with polymers? I've been reading about their applications in tensile strength. Could be fun to experiment."
Peter's face lit up. "Polymers? Yeah, that could work! I've actually been working on a formula in my spare time—something flexible but incredibly strong."
"Really?" Ethan asked, feigning mild curiosity. "That sounds awesome. Maybe we could incorporate that into our project."
The two spent the next hour brainstorming, Peter jotting down notes while Ethan carefully guided the conversation. He didn't push too hard, not wanting to raise suspicion, but partnering with Peter was a golden opportunity. If he played his cards right, he could learn more about Peter's formula—and maybe even his own secrets.
By the end of class, they'd agreed to meet after school to start working. Peter seemed more at ease, even excited to collaborate.
As Ethan walked home, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The partnership wasn't just about the project—it was a chance to get closer to Peter, both as a friend and as a potential ally.
Back at the construction site that evening, Ethan resumed his training. This time, he incorporated more agility drills, leaping between the rusting containers and flipping through the air. His Spider-Sense guided him, allowing him to push the limits of his reflexes.
He ended the session by lifting the sedan again, this time managing to flip it onto its side. The achievement left him grinning, despite the ache in his muscles.
"Spider-Venom," he said to himself, testing the name out loud. It still felt a little odd, but it was growing on him.
Over the next few days, Ethan balanced school, training, and his nighttime patrols. His partnership with Peter in the lab class became a surprising highlight. Peter was brilliant, and while Ethan had to downplay his own knowledge to avoid suspicion, he learned a lot just by watching him work.
Their project slowly took shape, incorporating Peter's polymer formula into a practical demonstration. Ethan couldn't help but admire Peter's dedication—it reminded him of his own relentless drive.
During one of their sessions, Peter paused, looking thoughtful.
"You know, Ethan," he said, "you're pretty good at this. Have you ever thought about pursuing science seriously?"
Ethan shrugged, playing it cool. "I've thought about it. Guess I'm still figuring things out."
Peter smiled. "Well, you've got talent. I mean, working with you on this has been great."
Ethan nodded, genuinely appreciating the compliment. "Thanks, Peter. Same to you."
As he walked home that evening, Ethan couldn't help but feel a sense of progress. His strength and combat skills were improving, his partnership with Peter was opening doors, and his nightly patrols were becoming more effective.
But he knew the road ahead was long. Hammerhead was still out there, and the city's dangers weren't going to wait.
Ethan looked up at the skyline, the lights of Queens stretching out before him.
This is just the beginning, he thought. Spider-Venom's got a lot of work to do.