Chapter 7

[Peter's POV]

"Ready, champ?"

"More than ever, Uncle Ben."

I descend the stairs with my backpack on and a focused look on my face.

"Peter, good luck with the project."

"Thanks, Aunt May. Trust me, I'll take everyone down."

"Alright, fighter, let's head to the car."

We got into Uncle Ben's old Ford and drove to the Forest Hills area.

"Are you sure you'll get home by yourself?"

Ben asked again with doubt.

"I'm sure, Uncle. I'll just finish my business and get home without any problems, I promise."

"Alright."

We reached the center and stopped in front of the library.

"Peter, one more thing."

Honestly, I appreciate Uncle Ben, but he sure loves to talk.

"Yeah?" 

I force a friendly smile.

"I just… wanted to say that I'm proud of you. And whatever happens in your life, know that you can always trust me and your Aunt May." 

Ben Parker said with sincerity.

"I know, Uncle."

I felt a chill run down my spine. 

What's this about?

I have a bad feeling…

"Alright, go ahead."

I wave at Uncle Ben as he drives off, waiting for the car to disappear around the corner, and then I run to the next block. 

There's still an hour before the fights start.

I reached the building without any incidents.

I see a huge crowd at the main entrance to the building, eager to watch the show. 

"Excuse me, where's the locker room?" 

I ask the security guard.

"Kid, you wanna participate or what?"

"No, my friend wants to try his luck, and I'm just bringing him his costume."

I play along.

"Alright then, the locker room's right there, third door to the right." 

The bouncer points behind him.

"Thanks."

I entered the room and luckily, no one is here. 

I quickly put on my "costume," stashing my civilian clothes in the backpack. Just in case, I put on the web-shooters and hid them in the sleeves. 

I pulled on the mask, and that's it.

Now, what about the backpack… ah, I'll leave it in the locker.

I left the locker room and started looking for one of the organizers. 

Whether it's luck or the whims of the canon, I ran into the main showman-commentator of the evening.

"Excuse me, where's the exit for the challengers against Hogan the Crusher?"

"Hogan the Crusher?! Kid, are you sure about your abilities? We don't provide medical insurance here." 

He looked at me skeptically, eyeing my "shiny costume."

"Oh, believe me, "The Miracle in the Mask" has some aces up his sleeve!"

I commented, striking a silly pose.

"The Miracle in the Mask?" That's ridiculous, but the audience will probably love it. Have you signed up with the commission?"

"Actually, I was planning to jump into the ring as soon as Crusher finishes off the next challenger." 

I scratch the back of my head.

"Oh, a show! Not bad, kid, you really know how to work the audience."

"You have no idea."

"Alright, then. This door leads to the ring. Wait on the right side."

"Got it."

The crowd was buzzing as Crusher Hogan defeated his latest opponent.

"What an energy, do you agree, folks?!" 

The commentator began his work, hyping up the crowd, "Our undefeated champion has already defeated the seventh challenger! Do you think there's a single brave soul here who can beat him?!"

"I'm sure I have every chance!" 

I shout, jumping onto the ring with a somersault.

"Seriously, shorty? I'll finish you off faster than anyone else!" 

Crusher boasts.

"Try it, donut. Maybe you'll succeed!"

As the gong rings and the countdown for the three minutes begins, Hogan charges at me. 

I leap over him, landing on the turnbuckle at the other side of the ring.

"By the way, nice outfit. Did your wife get it for you?"

"Come over here and let me finish you off!"

"No, sorry, I have another plan." 

I close the distance with Crusher and strike him in the torso, disorienting him. 

Then, with one hand, I lift him by the torso and slam him into the ring.

The referee rushes over and begins the count. 

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"Knockout."

The crowd goes wild.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our new champion, The Wonder in the Mask!" 

The commentator announces, and the crowd erupts in cheers.

...

"What a show, kid. How about signing up for our regular prime time?"

"Unfortunately, no. This was a one-time deal. Can I get my winnings?"

"Of course." 

The bookmaker pulls out a stack of bills and hands me four hundred bucks.

"Your prize."

He smirked.

"Is this a joke? The ad clearly stated five hundred for three minutes in the ring and TWO THOUSAND for winning."

"If you didn't notice, kid, you knocked out Crusher in TWO minutes. The terms weren't met. So, say thank you and get going before you get into trouble."

He snaps smugly.

'What a jerk! He's right. Technically, I did knock out Hogan and deserve my money, but legally, I didn't last three minutes in the ring… What should I do now?'

As I was contemplating my next move, the door to the office suddenly burst open.

The robber rushed in. 

The very reason for Spider-Man's eternal responsibility. 

Honestly, he didn't look too impressive, with his hands trembling and his eyes darting around. He didn't even bother with a mask.

"Hands up, this is a robbery!" 

He swung the gun from me, who was relatively calm, to the terrified bookmaker.

"All the cash, in the bag, now!"

"How do you think he's going to hand over the cash if you told him to put his hands up?"

"You think you're funny or something?!"

The robber moved up close, pressing the gun to my head, "Now what, smartass? You think this is funny? Go on, laugh!"

I quickly jerked my head to the side, shooting a web at the gun, yanking it out of the robber's hand, and then landing a punch on his jaw, knocking him out cold.

"Ha. Ha. Ha."

In fact, I wasn't really risking anything because I could feel my spider sense that it remained silent and didn't react to my actions. 

That meant either the guy had fragile eggs, and I'd just knocked his brains out from up close.

"Maybe I've actually earned my prize, saving your cash and your ass?" 

The adrenaline was coursing through me, and I couldn't help but ask.

"C-c-course, here. T-t-take it and get outta here."

The guy stammered, nervously tossing part of the money and the four hundred bucks toward me.

"Thanks a lot. By the way, I'd call the cops if I were you, just in case he wakes up." 

I give a little salute, grab the money, and head for the door. I toss the stolen gun in the trash as I leave. 

Hopefully, he wasn't being so cooperative just because of the weapon.

I dash to the locker room, pass by the fighters congratulating me, grab my stuff, and head out as fast as possible, not bothering to change. 

Who knows if that jerk might try to pin something on me?

I burst out of the building and sprinted down an alley, eager to hide from prying eyes. 

Reaching a quiet corner, I scramble up the nearest wall. 

Once I'm on the roof, I pull off my mask. Breathing in the cool night air, I can't help but start laughing uncontrollably after a few minutes.

It worked, it can't be. Everything went perfectly. My first public appearance, and I knocked out Hogan. 

I earned... a thousand and five hundred bucks! Most importantly, stopped a potential murderer of Uncle Ben. 

Perfect.

And the best part? There's still half an hour left until the promised time!

I step to the edge of the roof and look down. Then I look at the web-shooters. 

Then back down again. 

This is madness. A very, very bad idea.

I haven't tested it, and I could web up the bad guy, but no problem. But for those famous web-swinging flights?

Ah, screw it. What's done is done. Breathe in, breathe out. I run to the other end of the roof, take a leap of faith—and jump!

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Okay, aim, and shoot!

"WOOHOOOOOOO!!!"

I'm flying! 

I'm really flying! 

This rush is making my blood boil!

"WOOHOOOHOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

I could never get tired of this!

...

"I'm home!"

"Peter! You're almost late, and you didn't bring your phone! We couldn't get in touch with you!"

Aunt May started yelling at me, though it was more out of worry than anger.

I took a deep breath and dropped my bag by the door, trying to shake off the adrenaline rush still surging through me.

"Sorry, Aunt May. I got caught up in some... stuff. But I'm here now. Everything's fine."

She gave me a skeptical look but didn't press further, probably relieved to see me home safe.

"Well, next time, at least text us, okay? You scared us half to death."

"I promise, Aunt May. No more surprises."

"Sorry, Aunt May. The project turned out to be... quite fascinating, so I lost track of time. By the way, where's Uncle Ben?"

"At first, I asked him to go get you, but then he calmed me down and asked me to trust him. So, he's in his room."

Phew, I was starting to worry. Who knows, the canon might decide to make things interesting.

"Are you hungry?"

"I could eat an elephant." 

I say, feeling content.

After waiting for Uncle Ben, we all sat down for a late dinner. 

I really love these old folks.

Once dinner was done, I headed to bed. 

Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day.