14 A Phone Call

{Initially, this chapter went through three or four versions where Peter gets angry and goes and takes Norman's head off which leads to a whole host of other problems but I realized that Spider-Man isn't a character that's all about big fights and revenge. Spider-Man at his core is a character that rises above hardships and moves forward as a pillar of love, compassion, and kindness but sometimes that kindness can be superseded by hate and sometimes you need the helping hand of a friend to pull you out of that shroud of all-consuming hatred and negativity that may eat away at you}

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"Don't bother, I'm ending this once and for all, that's a promise, James" The grieving hero's eyes held no uncertainty or hesitation only a burning flame of ever-growing hatred.

"And then what Pete? Do you just expect everyone to forget the death of a major public figure and move on? Do you think that you and your aunt will ever have a moment's peace when the Avengers or the fantastic four or someone figures out you used your superpowers to kill him? Pete, I want him to pay for the bad things he's done but we both know that the best option is to make smart moves to expose him for the shady stuff he's involved in".

The lines goes silent for a moment as Peter seemed to absorb what James had said.

"D-d-do you understand what it feels like to have a part of you ripped away by a man you looked up to like a father?" the frustration and hurt seeped into his voice as he continued to pressure his friend.

"You must've got your head stuck real far in a book if you think I don't know the feeling of wanting to make some sick bastard pay for taking something from me"

"Then you should understand how it feels to have someone you loved ripped from your grasp and taken from you by someone who may never face the consequences of his actions!"

James let out a bitter chuckle on the phone "My father used to tell me about these moments in our lives, he'd call them activation moments. Basically a turning point in your life where every other decision you make is a result of that one big decision, he said meeting my mother was his activation moment. My activation moment came when I was thirteen when..."

The line goes quiet

huff

Huff

HUFF!

James tries to catch his breath as the air drains rapidly from his lungs. Peter listens on the other line concerned for his friend's well-being.

"The night that I found out that they died was my activation moment because I will never forget the face of the man that killed them walking out of the courtroom a free man. For months the all-consuming urge to find him and bring him to justice kept me up at night.

I questioned every day why a loving and kind god would let a monster in human flesh like DON walk around free while my parents were left as victims.

The fantasy of finding him and making him my victim then maybe I could sleep easy, make the cloudy sky could part and I could enjoy the beauty of a sunny day. The thought stuck around until I had the floor plan of his house and I had tracked a path to the master bedroom where I'd drug him and take him away and torture him until he died an agonizing death and I hoped that maybe his death would give me the closure I've wanted for so long.

Then I had a dream where I and my father were fishing in his boat" James crack a smile at the memory of the boat "The boat was a piece of junk and I hated fishing with him but I didn't care even for a second about that I was happy to see him again but he wasn't happy to see me. As long as I live I'll never forget what he said "Son, you have some much to do and see before meeting with me and your mother again please don't waste your life getting petty revenge on someone whose life isn't worth spending the rest of your days in a cell or even worse. I know you'll make me proud son" was all he said before I woke up all alone in my bed.

At that time I wasn't sure magic and the supernatural existed but I know that night my father came back to save me from making the biggest mistake of my life. Pete don't let Norman Osborne take your life away from you".

Peter fell into another contemplative silence as he pondered. James hoped that hearing his story would make his friend reconsider but Peter hanging up didn't instill confidence nevertheless, he decided it'd be better to trust his friend than to go and try to force him into doing as he said.

Pete, please don't do something really stupid.