Spiderman retires

Peter Parker, also known as Spider-Man, sat on a rooftop in the bustling city of New York.

He sat in place, reflecting on his life over the past 12 years-the time since the emergence of his alter ego, Spider-Man.

For 12 years, he had tried to do the right thing, guided by the words of his late Uncle Ben Parker: "With great power comes great responsibility."

For 12 years, these words had served as his moral compass.

He always thought those words made perfect sense. The first proof of that was when he gained his spider powers.

He had the strength and ability, but instead of using it to help people, he sought wealth and fame, driven by arrogance. Because of that, his uncle, the man who was like a father to him, was killed by a robber-the same robber he had let escape the first time he saw him.

For 12 years, he asked himself if stopping that robber would have changed his life. If he had used his powers responsibly, would things have been different?

For 12 years, he never found an answer to that question.

For 12 years, he tried to do the right thing, avoiding the same mistakes.

But after these 12 years, he finally began to feel tired.

12 years of abuse from the superhero community, where he was mocked, called a clown and a fool, accused of causing more harm than good.

12 years of the people of New York failing to appreciate what he did for them.

12 years of fighting crime to protect the city, only to receive criticism and ridicule in return.

12 years of sleeping only two hours a day, sometimes none at all, especially during the winter, to avoid repeating the mistake he made with the homeless people 

For 12 years, he fought many forms of evil, from small-time criminals to cosmic entities that made even groups of the strongest heroes retreat in fear.

12 years of sacrifices that cost him in the worst ways, when all he ever wanted was some support, some recognition.

His life as Spider-Man was a failure, and his life as Peter Parker was just as much of a failure.

So many failed relationships, so many fake friends.

His love life was the worst; it always ended with a broken heart. Peter sighed as he sat in the quiet of his solitude.

"Why do I always endure this emotional and physical pain? All I want is someone who loves me as much as I love them, someone who stands by me, someone who understands what it's like to be Spider-Man."

.

.

.

And there, in that moment, he understood. His eyes opened wide beneath his red mask, and he whispered, "Spider-Man."

In that moment of realization, the Spider Totem was interrupted as someone jumped beside him.

His spider sense didn't react, so he didn't feel the need to move.

"Hey, Spidey! Missed your soulmate? I missed you. Want some tacos?"

Peter looked at the person standing in front of him, eating tacos and offering him one. He pushed the hand away. "No thanks, Wade. I'm not hungry. What are you doing here anyway?"

Wade finished his taco and sat beside Peter. "Oh, just the usual. I figured you realized the source of your suffering and were about to enter an identity crisis, driving you mad and turning you into a version of the Batman Who Laughs."

Peter looked at Wade. "How do you know-wait, who's the Batman Who Laughs? You know what, I don't even want to know." Peter fell silent, trying to return to the inner monologue he had been having, but Wade didn't let him. He grabbed Peter by the shoulders and shook him wildly.

"Stop it, Spidey! The writer specifically warned me that you were slowly descending into madness, following the Green Goblin's words that the world loves to watch heroes fall. And bit by bit, you're going to start believing that. As your best friend, I won't let that happen... I am your best friend, aren't I?"

A bitter laugh escaped Peter's throat as he sighed in exhaustion, thinking over Wade's words. "You're like a brother, Wade. At least you didn't make out with my girlfriend."

Wade grabbed his own face, wriggling as if he were wearing a Japanese schoolgirl anime outfit. "Oh my God, Spidey admitted it!"

Peter sighed in exhaustion but smiled at Wade's antics. At first glance, Wade might seem like he's acting crazy, though Peter didn't know where Wade got that schoolgirl uniform from or how he wore it so fast. But Peter knew that this was Wade's way of cheering him up.

When Wade heard Spider-Man laugh, he quickly moved closer to him and, in an uncharacteristic moment of seriousness, said, "Listen, Spidey. You said I'm like a brother, right?"

Peter nodded. In reality, there was no one he could truly call a brother or a friend. Johnny was a hypocrite. Matt knew he was dating Felicia but still found him kissing her on a rooftop. And Wolverine seemed like he always wanted to slice him up whenever Peter tried talking to him.

Wade grabbed Spider-Man's shoulders. "Good. I know you're tired. 12 years of facing threats, from the smallest to the cosmic. You need a break, or else you'll become the Batman Who Laughs."

Peter ignored the last part, not knowing who the Batman Who Laughs was. "You mean take a vacation?"

Wade shook his head. "I don't mean a vacation; I mean retirement. You've done more than any major hero or street-level hero will do for the city, the world, and the universe in a million years. No one will ever match the sacrifices you've made."

Peter pushed Wade's hands off his shoulders. "I don't know, Wade. I can't retire."

Wade placed his hand on Spider-Man's mask and removed it, revealing Peter's red eyes and dark circles. Suddenly, Wade pulled out a large mirror-Peter didn't even know where the crazy mercenary got it from.

Wade held the mirror up to him. "Look at yourself. 12 years as Spider-Man. 12 years without ever being Peter Parker. When will you realize that you've lived as Spider-Man longer than you've lived as Peter Parker? Wake up, my friend. You were born Peter Parker, not Spider-Man. You're destroying yourself. You have to choose: Spider-Man or Peter Parker."

Peter looked at himself in the mirror and clenched his fists. He saw his deteriorating state. His only concern had always been to be Spider-Man. Now, he was torn-should he choose Spider-Man or Peter Parker?

If his aunt and uncle were alive, what would they say?

Peter sat down on the cold rooftop and gazed up at the stars while Wade munched on a hotdog nearby.

He thought to himself, "What would they say if they saw me like this? What about Uncle Ben's saying? They always wanted the best for me, and for 12 years, I've been destroying my life. I didn't even get to be there during Aunt May's last moments two years ago, just because I was being Spider-Man."

Peter closed his eyes for a moment, letting a few tears fall. "You're right, Wade. I'm destroying myself and my life. I wasn't born as Spider-Man-I was born as Peter Parker. It's time for me to be Peter Parker. New York has plenty of strong heroes."

Wade struck a dramatic pose and gave a thumbs up. "That's the spirit! Keep your youth burning!"

Wade placed Spider-Man's mask back on Peter's face and threw him off the building. "This will be your last swing. Enjoy it!"

As soon as he said that, Wade jumped off the rooftop, landing in a dumpster in the alley below. "Ah, home sweet home." He closed the lid of the dumpster behind him.

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