The Rematch

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***

When I got up to my room, the first thing I did was pick up the phone I'd left behind and put a new number in my contact list, labelled 'Carrot'. I quickly wrote a quick text to check it out.

"Hey, it's Pete. Check. Check."

"Hey, Tiger. Confirmed. Communication's good :)"

"Just wanted to wish you a good night."

"Same to you, Peter."

Putting the phone away, I lean back on the pillow and smile.

It's a start. A good start.

I even forgot to take off my suit, I need to change.

Putting on my home clothes, I start planning for tomorrow.

If I'm going on a date, I should be out early.

But is it a date? Either way, until it's confirmed otherwise, I'll consider it a date.

Now go to bed.

***

Secret training camp in the abandoned factories of New York City.

A fancy black limousine pulls into a rusted-out, dilapidated building.

The emerging vehicle distracts three soldiers from their training.

The pear-grinding thug stops and begins to remove his gloves. The knife-wielding man in the stylish suit turned to see the group leader sitting on the bench, adjusting his primary weapon.

A man of Italian appearance stepped into the centre of the planning room.

- 'Gentlemen, good evening,' Thunderbolt greeted the group.

- What brings you here, Sledgehammer? - Montana asks a question.

Silently, the Italian takes the briefcase from the hands of his assistant.

Walking over to the desk and typing in the password, the Hammerhead turns the briefcase towards the group.

- It is a pleasure to welcome you back Thunderheads.

Although there was a blurred dark silhouette on the screen and the voice was distorted by the modulator, Montana realised that the Big Boss was addressing them again.

- I understand you're back in uniform. That's good, so it's time to finish the old job, - suddenly the screen flashed images of a young New York hero gaining fame, and also a target that the Bosses had once missed - Spider-Man.

- Rest assured, we will close this contract.

- Good. The equipment will be delivered to you tomorrow. This time, you're just your own group. You're on in three days.

- So the insect is living out its last days.

***Next morning.

Peter.

I slept well, I haven't woken up in such a good mood in a long time.

Going to the window, I open it for airing.

Across the hall, I find MJ getting her make-up done.

I jump up to the ceiling. I don't want the girl to think I'm stalking her.

I crawl carefully to the door and jump down to the bathroom.

A good day should continue with a strong cup of coffee.

- Good morning!

No-one answered. Noticing the sticker on the fridge, I realise May and Ben have gone out to buy supplies to fix the garage.

Then I had time.

I have a quick breakfast and go upstairs. Okay, shirt, jeans, reagents, and now to the lab!

It's time to take inventory. Over the months, thanks to a nice and fairly steady paycheck from Bugle, I've built up a small and recouping resource production.

I've been experimenting with the web, different compounds, enzymes. I picked up cheaper reagents and looked at how much this or that element affected the qualities: strength, elasticity, stickiness.

Thanks to research, during these months I learnt to reproduce about seven kinds of web from the most suitable budget materials.

I have also improved the throwers, now you can adjust the strength of the release of the web under pressure. Switching modes takes no more than a few seconds, tested in training.

Actually these upgrades allowed me to create my pride - electric web.

It's all about the thickness of the thread and the energy source for the discharge. Of course, there was a threat to burn the throwers, but by trial and error the risk was minimised.

After taking inventory, I'm packing up my arsenal. The cartridges take their place in their pockets, as does the bug locator. The belt is still the thing I'm most proud of. It took me weeks to find the most powerful red diode in New York, but now the spider signal shines brighter than Sirius!

Okay, time to go to work. I lock up the lab, go inside and put on my uniform.

Getting a job at Bogle was a good decision after all.

I put on my mask and fly out the window.

Not only that, but over the months I've made progress in understanding how publishing works.

Pirouette.

I'm also making useful connections.

Bounce off the building.

Robbie gives me extra work, like photographing the opening of the new children's hospital.

The run-up.

A strong friendship develops with Betty. Maybe flirting with her is how I learnt how to compliment girls.

Acceleration.

But the best part.

Hanging in freefall at the height of the twentieth floor for a few seconds.

That's the time you can spend flying from Queens to midtown Manhattan.

Plus, the lovely caretaker's den I spotted a couple of weeks ago is the perfect room to land from the roof and change clothes without witnesses. Plus it's on the same floor as the newsroom.

Once on the roof of the Daily Bugle building, I descend through the fire exit to the caretaker's room. As I've established, this door opens a maximum of four times in a day: at five in the morning, when the caretaker comes in; twice for lunch and dinner; and a fourth time in the evening, as the end of the day.

So I can use the premises without hesitation. At least no one has caught it yet. I quickly throw on my casual clothes over my suit and leave the technical room.

The place is as busy as ever. People are bustling about, punching out articles, with the latest and most pressing news at the tip of their pen. It's a beautiful place. Honestly, I like the energy here a hell of a lot. I'm glad I came here.

- Hi, Betty.

- Pete, it's a pleasure! Are you here for the cheque or the new job?

- Both, beautiful.

- Oh, that's great. Honestly, I'm surprised. You've been here five minutes and the boss hasn't--

- PARKER!!!?

-.... And here we go - rolling her eyes, Brant pulled back.

- Mr Jameson! I was just, um.

- TO MY OFFICE NOW!

Without wasting a second, the young photographer ran into the glass room.

- There's a couple of negatives.

- Later, Parker. Let's get to the point.

- I'm the rumour.

- In a couple of months Wilson Fisk, I hope you don't need to explain who he is, together with Osborne Industries will initiate the opening of several diagnostic paediatric medical centres.

- Wow, even thugs have a heart.

-DON'T BREATHE! - Jonah instantly flared up, but after a few seconds, adjusting his tie, he regained his composure. - Now, there's a journalist. The best in crime reporting, by a long shot. He decided to use this event as a springboard for his investigation into Ambala's criminal activities.

- Is he likely to be familiar to me?

- Probably," answered the mustachioed man who came through the door, wrapped in a mackintosh like a detective from the twenties. - Hello, Peter.

- Ben! Nice to meet you," I shake the man's hand with a smile.

Ben Urich. Nice bloke. If you open Ben Urich's list of articles, you'll be surprised at the number of facts that match the NYPD's criminal database. In fact, this man is so professional that his investigative files are even used by cops.

My first thought was, "If this man has accumulated so much dirt against the entire underworld, why the hell is he still alive?". The answer came immediately. It's all about Ben not being an idiot. He hides most of his activities behind the masks of newspaper aliases. John Milton, Henry Adams. Even Juan Ramirez.

Genius, what can I say? I even borrowed this pragmatic device.

- You're a very talented guy, Pete. So I'd love it if you'd keep me company at that opening. Your photography skills would be useful," Uhrich offered this unique opportunity.

- Really?! - I stare at Jonah in disbelief.

- Sad to say, you're our youngest, most promising and talented photographer. But don't get cocky, kid. This case is your only chance. If you miss it, you're out of the big boy world, understand?

- Of course, Mr Jameson, I won't let you down.

- Good. Now get out!

- Yeah," I'm heading for the door, but I turn round for a second, "will these photos be signed as we agreed?

- Yes, yes, Mr Ben Reilly. Now get out of my way.

- We'll discuss the details later, Pete," Uhrich waves goodbye to me

Walking out, I approach Robbie, who has stopped by Betty's desk.

- Hi boss, here are the negatives, the latest adventures of our wall climber.

- Great, Peter. Take these to the illustration department," Robertson hands them to one of his interns. - And Pete, I told you not to call me boss," the man says kindly.

- True, but over the months you've become almost a mentor to me, in all things editorial. Really, if you don't like it at all, I'll stop.

- I'm just teasing. It's actually very flattering. Okay, have a good day, "apprentice," I have to get back to work.

- Good luck, sensei," I bow jokingly to Robbie's waving.

- Betty, listen, can I ask you a question?

- Sure," the girl finishes typing, "I'm all ears.

- Listen," I rub the back of my head uncomfortably, "can you advise me, if I don't know what kind of flowers a girl likes, or if she's allergic, and I don't want to get into trouble, can you advise me?

- Do I look like a florist? - Brant frowns and asks in a serious tone?

- Erm...

A second later, my hovering state is interrupted by a resounding laugh.

- Geez, Parker, you're just as bad as ever, you're just as good at being a jerk!

- You girls never know, God, Betty, my heart almost stopped.

- Well, seriously, who's the lucky girl who's in our photographer's mind," Miss Brant whispers conspiratorially.

I don't know why, but I'm sure her question made me blush to the tips of my ears.

- Her name is Mary Jane.

- That's a pretty name. As for flowers, I'd recommend something like tulips. You'd be surprised, but roses are a good option too, their pollen is very heavy, so they rarely cause allergies, and the smell is strong. Orchids are not a bad option.

- Turns out I was talking to a florist after all.

- Get out of here, smart-ass!

- Anyway, I owe you one, Betty. Thank you.

Leaping out of the room, dodging a stapler thrown by Brant.

***

Okay, I got the flowers. I'm wearing a pressed suit. I combed my hair, spritzed on some cologne. All right, the tiger's ready to hunt!

I gather my thoughts, get some air and knock on the door of the Watson house.

Aunt Mary opens the door.

- Good evening, Mrs Watson, and I'm here for Mary Jane.

- Hello, Peter, Mary's upstairs getting dressed. Come in.

Closing the door behind me, I move into the drawing room and sit down in the armchair. Anna sits down opposite, taking a seat on the sofa.

- Peter, I'm going to be blunt.

This woman always gave the impression of a nice lady, but now, even knowing that I can bend steel with my bare hands, my whole gut clenched into a lump.

- Mary's going through a very difficult time. I know she may look cheerful and carefree on the outside, but deep down inside, she's having a hard time. But I can see that your intentions are serious, you really like my niece, don't you?

- Very much," I say confidently, without a trace of deceit.

- Good. That's why I'm warning you. Don't be very insistent, but be a man she can lean on.

- Very.... unexpectedly wise and strong advice, Mrs Watson.

- Are you in any way surprised?

My reply was interrupted by a noise on the stairs.

Turning round, I simply froze. MJ was wearing a gorgeous green evening gown. Her hair was beautifully styled. She even had some costume jewellery on.

- Peter, shut your mouth, a fly will fly in," the redhead said cheerfully.

- I just, wow - I can't find the words. - These are for you," I hand the girl the flowers. - Orchids. I didn't know which ones you like, or maybe you're allergic, but they're beautiful and hypoallergenic, and also....

- Easy, Tiger," the girl interrupts my incoherent stream of speech by placing her small palm on my hand. - They're beautiful. Aunt Anna, will you put them in a vase?

- Of course, children, have fun.

With our shoes on, Mary and I left the house.

- Where are we going? - The girl inquires, interlacing our fingers in one easy movement.

Trying not to get hung up on this action, I answer.

- There is a very nice small and cosy restaurant on Grand Avenue, we'll get there quickly. By the way, what kind of music do you like?

- Actually, I'm a music lover, I listen to almost everything, but mostly rock of different directions, a little pop, why? - Surprised by such a sharp transition, the girl specifies.

Silently I take out my headphones, plug them into the player and give one ear to MJ.

We got to the restaurant, discussing different music, the meanings of songs, or just listening to songs with interlocked hands. It was fun, or just cosy.

- Hello, table for six o'clock, Peter Parker.

- Sure, we'll check right away, says the cute little hostess. - Yeah, sure, come on in, Mr Parker.

- Peter, how did you get a table here, this place is amazing! - M.J.'s shocked.

- It wasn't really that difficult. Very few people know about this place. Well, maybe a lot of people know about it, but only a few go.

- Why?

- It's all about scale. New York. Everyone wants glamour, prestige. Nice, quiet places like this are considered beneath their status. I thought I'd share a little bit of something real with you.

- I'm touched, Tiger.

- I'm very pleased. Now, let's order something, I'm starving.

One very pleasant summer dinner later.

Mary and I left the restaurant, incredibly cheerful.

And no, we hadn't been drinking. Just spent the evening in a warm atmosphere.

- To be honest, Peter, I needed this," Mary began in a soft voice. - When I moved away, I thought it would be hard to start over in a new place, especially New York. And then you showed up," the redhead turned to me.

I also turn to the girl.

- Did I mention that I haven't really been completely honest?

- What do you mean?

- When Aunt Anna decided to take me in, she needed me to come and see the house.

- So you were in town before you moved in?

- That's right.

- And why do you say you weren't completely honest? I just don't see it that way.

- That day, I saw you coming back from school.

- Did you?

- Yeah, no offence, tiger, but you looked like a real bookworm: heavy brown trousers, shirt and waistcoat, tie, thick-rimmed glasses. But you know what my first thought was?

- What?

- He's still got that exorbitant spirit.

We stop at a stone bridge.

Mary takes my hand

- And also, the light he's willing to share with others. Maybe that's why I fell in love with you.

I don't have time to answer as MJ takes my face in his hands and kisses me.

Without a second thought, I responded, kissing her with all the passion I could muster.

We pull away from each other just as we start to run out of oxygen.

- If we're going to talk openly, I fell in love with you as soon as I saw you. I'm not sure, but maybe it started much earlier, back when I was a kid.

Mary just smiles at my sudden confession and kisses me again.

We didn't get home until two hours later. Before that, there was only a conversation about the past, present and future, a discussion of two young people, worries, hopes, promises. And a long walk under the moon.

- It was a wonderful evening, Peter," MJ says as we hold hands.

- I totally agree. Mary, I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I can't help asking.

Miss Watson just stares at me.

- Well.... Are we... sort of together?

- Ask it properly, Mr Parker," the redhead says with a chuckle.

- Will you be my girlfriend?

- Of course I will, Tiger," Mary Jane said, throwing herself around my neck.

I hold the girl close to me and kiss her.

***

- WHOO-HOO! - As I fly over the rooftops of New York City at night, I scream at the top of my lungs.

I don't just feel good. I feel fucking great!

The girl of my dreams told me she's in love with me and now we're dating!

Fucking hell, I'm thinking like a fucking teenager, but I can't help it.

- I'M HAPPY!

- SHUT UP!

- You too, good citizen!

Landing on the wall of a block of flats.

Okay, one more go round and.....

Spider sense.

I start looking around sharply.

The tingling in the back of my head was intense. A clear sign that the danger is serious.

I quickly check my equipment. The inspection is interrupted by a distant rumble.

A helicopter blade?

A large aircraft of apparent military origin appeared on the horizon.

The moment when it started firing at me was not a surprise.

I jump off the roof, dodging bullets, and begin to plan over the city.

I need to get him off the streets so that passersby don't get hurt.

I manoeuvre between New York high-rises and remember that the picture is painfully familiar. Memories loom in my periphery, but nothing concrete. After all, how many media scenes involving me and a helicopter can I recall? That's just it.

Running along the wall of a high-rise with forty-five calibre bullets gurgling at my feet, romantic.

I shoot two strings and launch my body like a slingshot, turning in the air, I stick the blade with a spider's web.

The car starts to slow down, a few more skeins and the crash is inevitable. Now, that's one thing I didn't think of. I quickly shoot a lot of threads and try to cling the helicopter to the walls of the building. There's no way to completely rule out a crash.

Having broken a shallow furrow on the wall of the high-rise, the flying machine carelessly spiked on the nearest roof.

Now let's see who's so clever.

Sense!

Jumping up in a somersault, I dodge the debris flying at me.

- Long time no see, insect," says the guy in the business suit.

On the other side of the building are two very familiar criminal faces.

- Wow, Bull and Handsome Dan, long time no see guys, didn't miss you, to be honest. Where's your criminal mastermind? I'm missing the spirit of the good old cowboy West in your group.

Just a quick glance at the broken chopper.

- Don't tell me he was flying the bird? He got off easier on any of you last time than he did this time. History is cyclical, right?

- If memory serves, the Thunderbirds almost put you in a coffin last time. Tonight, we're gonna put a stop to that annoying "almost".

The bull throws another piece of debris at me. No problem dodging. Dan attacks from the other side, and I can barely swim under the path of the blow. Damn gymnast.

- Look, Dan, maybe you should have gone with the nickname Ricochet. Whichever way I move, you'll always attack from the opposite direction.

Of course, he didn't respond to my barb, and Bull moved towards the chopper.

I shoot a web at Dan, and while he's dealing with the webbing, I pick up a large fragment of thread and launch it at the tough guy.

- Not so fast, Jimbo!

A chunk of concrete slams into Bull's back, causing him to plough his nose into the roof deck.

- Are you out of your mind?! The chopper could catch fire at any moment, let me get Montana out!

- Thanks, handyman, I'll do it myself.

I jump up to the mechanism and rip the door off the pilot's side.

Right after that, I get hit with two electric whips. I fly off the chopper and smash my back into the air conditioning on the roof.

- This is your greatest weakness, Spider-Man. See, we've been watching the whole time. Of course, you've managed to hide from the cameras, it's been a risk to make sure you didn't notice anything, so we didn't learn anything about your life without the mask, which is a shame. But we did get one important thing. Since the warehouse, you've been on the decline. Flying around town picking cats out of trees or helping old ladies cross the road, really?! At that warehouse, I thought we were hired to take out a really serious threat. And that day, you were. God, you hurt at least 30 kids! My boys, you broke my arm! Even killed one of ours.

- I didn't kill.

- Oh, come on! You shielded his body from bullets or shot him yourself, it's no big deal. And now you're trying to hide behind the mask of a good oaf? It won't work, mate, we've seen your true colours, so stop being a pussy cunt and start fighting like a real man. Let your instincts run wild before you die.

They want seriousness? Then they'll fucking get it!

I turn round to the metal block and, ripping the air conditioner from the roof, throw it at the approaching Thugs.

I'm closing in on Dan, who's moved away from his partners.

- You want to get serious?! Then we'll fight seriously!

I grab the pretty boy by the throat and smash his face into the roof with all my might.

- So you're not so "handsome" anymore, huh?

I don't give him a chance to break free of my grip, and I smack him a few more times until he stops moving completely.

The gymnast is interrupted by a furious Bull. And I mean it, he comes at me, roaring at the top of his lungs.

With the big guy, I need a different tactic. I methodically and smoothly dodge his hammer blows. Sooner or later he'll be exhausted, slow down, and then I'll strike.

I jump up sharply and, pushing off the Bull's shoulders, I find myself behind his back. In the same second, the bandit is pierced by several hundred volts from the whips of our familiar cowboy.

- Shit!

- That's what I got out of that meeting too, Montana. With you Thugs, it never hurts to watch your own back. And oh, boy! I learn from my mistakes, but your guys are already knocked out. If it's no secret, why the three of us? The budget didn't allow you to hire a couple of dozen sixes to back you up?

- Big Boss thought we were wasting resources. I don't agree. But the job will be done," Montana activated his whips and came at me.

Big Boss again. But how.... Sledgehammer! Of course! I didn't realise, you idiot. I thought it'd be so easy, I'd just nail a few tongues and take down the whole criminal network. You have to be smart. So I'll start with the nearest source of information.

I'm shooting webbing at the cowboy's weapon. I admit the man's strong, but he's no match for the power of a spider's abilities. I snatch the whips out of Montana's hands, pull them to me and break them.

- Again, we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way," the cowboy pulls several revolvers from behind his back.

I dodge the shots in a pirouette and, catching Dan's unconscious body, pull him to me.

Montana stops.

- You're saying I killed that mercenary? Then shoot him! You can blame your partner's death on me. Don't be a pussy. Come on, punk, shoot!

The cowboy fired.

I barely get Dan out of the way in time to duck and dodge myself.

Taping the webbed weapon with the shot.

- I can't believe it! You were actually willing to shoot your friend?

- In this business, friendship is a luxury. And a job must always be done. The thugs have worked too hard on their reputations for too long, and to blow it all over a bug testing your morals? Unprofessional.

Silently tying up Bull and Dan, approaching a ranting Montana.

- Well, I got another trick," the big man pulls out a penknife. - Come on, insect!

I calmly dodge the thug's lunge, grab his wrist, and twist. The knife falls out. I toss Montana aside.

- It's cyclical, isn't it, dickhead? All right, I give up. Let's see what you did with the little ones or those suckers: Trapper and Bonesaw? Arrest us.

I'm closing in on the big guy.

- Hey, I said surrender! Call the cops and an ambulance or whatever it is you're doing.

I grab Montana by the chest and lift him off the ground.

- Do I look like an EMT to you? - I'm kicking the thug in the gut. - Big Boss, where can I find him?

- Fuck you!

- All right, I'm twisting the cowboy's arm again. - What do you think's gonna break first, your stubborn desire to keep quiet or every bone in your body? You miss the cast? You tell me.

- Okay, wait, wait, wait a second.

We're just gonna freeze for a few moments.

- He's a very serious man. I give him up, I'm dead.

- The old fairy tale, I'm silently starting to move towards the edge of the roof.

- Listen to me! I'm gonna get killed!

- You haven't completed the task, you're dead," I pull Montana over the edge of the roof.

- Wait, wait, you're not gonna do it! - The boot falls off the bandit's foot and into the abyss.

And I freeze. I won't?

- Uncle Ben!

- What's wrong, Peter?

- Flash, back in school! He's bullying me, he's bullying me, I'm I'm I'm....

- What, Peter? How did you feel at that moment?

- I was angry. Very angry. I wanted to hit him, Uncle. More than that, I wanted him dead.

- But you didn't. And tell me honestly, could you have killed that guy, really?

- No..... I guess not.

- Why not?

- Because killing is wrong.

- That's right, Peter. I know you're going through a tough time right now, but you're a good man. And I know that

you're doing the right thing.

The memory fades away like a haze.

And I'm still up there on the roof. Threatening to throw the perp down.

I throw Montana at his partners and tie him up with a spider web.

I jump off the roof and fly away.