Ethan was crouched on the edge of a rooftop, his sharp gaze sweeping over the city below. He had spent the past week carving out his identity as Spider-Venom, working tirelessly to ensure the name stuck. Criminals whispered it in fear now, and the name was spreading like wildfire—though Jameson's smear campaigns weren't helping his reputation.
"Menace," Ethan muttered under his breath, annoyed as he watched a massive screen display Jameson's latest rant on the Daily Bugle Network.
"First, there was WebWarden," Jameson bellowed, his voice full of disdain. "Now, the so-called Spider-Venom has taken the stage, another masked lunatic terrorizing our streets. But, folks, it doesn't stop there! Reports of yet another spider-themed figure have surfaced—one dressed in white, appearing like a ghost! Who are these 'spider-menaces'? And how long before they turn on us?"
Ethan scoffed, shaking his head. "Ghost Spider?" He'd heard rumors of the white-clad figure prowling the city, but whoever it was kept a low profile. At least, compared to him.
He was about to leap off the rooftop when something caught his attention—a flash of red and blue swinging across the skyline.
"What the…" Ethan whispered, standing upright.
The figure moved with agility and precision, its bright colors standing out against the gray buildings. "That's new," he muttered, launching himself into the air to follow.
---
The chase was exhilarating. Ethan kept his distance, watching the red-and-blue figure as it darted through the city. The way they swung, how they handled their webbing—it was all too familiar.
"Spider-Parker," Ethan murmured to himself. Peter becoming Spider-Man was expected and just a matter of time. But seeing it in action was something else entirely. A few days ago this was fictional and now this was happening, right before his eyes.
Ethan finally caught up when the figure landed on a rooftop. He perched on a nearby ledge, watching as Peter—now unmistakably dressed in a homemade Spider-Man suit—was in the middle of a scuffle with a group of thugs in an alleyway, his movements quick but unrefined.
"Not bad," Ethan muttered, watching from the shadows.
Peter managed to take down two of the thugs before one of them blindsided him with a metal pipe. Ethan winced as Peter stumbled, barely dodging the next swing.
"Alright, kid. Time for a lesson," Ethan said, dropping into the fray.
The remaining thugs turned, startled by his sudden appearance.
"Who the hell are you?" one of them demanded.
"Spider-Venom," Ethan said, his tone casual as he webbed the man's weapon away. "You know, the menace your boss probably warned you about."
Peter looked up, surprised to see him. "You didn't have to—"
"Save it, Spider-Boy," Ethan said, cutting him off. "We'll talk later."
The fight was over in seconds. Ethan moved with precision, taking the thugs down effortlessly. When the alley was clear, he turned to Peter, who was still catching his breath.
"You're lucky I was nearby," Ethan said, crossing his arms. "You've got the potential, but you're not ready for this yet."
Peter frowned, pulling off his mask to reveal a bruised cheek. "I can handle it. I just… I got distracted. And it's Spider-Man, not Spider-Boy!"
Ethan sighed, shaking his head. "Bold choice for a first timer. You've got to stay focused, Spider-Man. And maybe take a few combat lessons while you're at it."
Peter looked at him, his expression a mix of frustration and gratitude. "Why are you helping me?"
Ethan hesitated, then shrugged. "Let's just say I've got a soft spot for fellow spider-menaces. But don't make me regret it, Parker."
Peter's eyes widened. "How do you—"
"Doesn't matter," Ethan said, cutting him off again. "Just get better, Spider-Man. The city needs you."
With that, he swung off into the night, leaving Peter alone to process everything that had just happened.
---
By the next morning, Jameson's latest article had already gone viral.
"Spider-Venom and Spider-Man: Partners in Crime or Rivals in Chaos?"
Ethan shook his head, tossing the paper aside. "This guy never quits."
But despite the negativity, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Spider-Man was here, the Ghost Spider was out there somewhere, and the name Spider-Venom was finally starting to stick.
The city might see them as a menace now, but Ethan knew the truth. Together, they were going to make a difference—whether Jameson liked it or not.