No Way Home

Peter was now in the hands of Department Of Damage Control. Agent Cleary was interrogating him at the federal agency. He showed her the photos of the Stark Industries drones used to attack London.

The federal agent persisted in getting the young man to confess his guilt in the death of Mysterio. But Peter wasn't discouraged.

"I didn't kill Quentin Beck. The drones did. He tried to use it to kill me, but he killed himself. I'd nothing to do with his death."

"The drones that are yours did it." replied Cleary determined to imprison the young man.

"No, you've got it wrong... he used drones to create the illusions of Elementals. He wanted to make it look like he was a superhero from another world to fool everyone. So he can acting around like an Avenger. This guy was a liar and a psychopath."

But Cleary didn't seem willing to listen to Peter.

"Yeah, yeah, that's a really nice story you're telling me, Parker. But the facts tell a very different story. You claim that Mysterio was in possession of the drones to launch an attack on London, yet we have proof that the drones from Stark Industries are yours. We know that Tony Stark left you a huge technological legacy. You still deny it?"

"I don't." admitted Peter calmly. "That's right, Mr. Stark left me things, but not to attack anyone. My class had come to London. My friends were there too. Quentin Beck wanted to kill them. That's why he launched the drones on London."

"Oh yeah?" replied the skeptical agent. "You just said that Mysterio was trying to get attention on him, not kill anyone."

"He knew I had told MJ and Ned about his plan." Peter replied firmly. "That's why he wanted to kill them and make it look like a monster attack. They didn't help me to harm others. Mysterio tried to kill them! And I didn't want to kill him, but to stop him from killing my friends!"

But Cleary pretended to be amused and kept his seriousness.

"Again, it's a very nice story. You would make a good writer of science fiction novels... the thing is that nothing proves your claims. We have gathered the testimonies of people who were attacked by your drones. They only saw you with the drones. They've never seen Quentin Beck do anything to hurt anyone."

"I never wanted to attack anyone!" exclaimed Peter who began to get agitated.

But the furious agent gave him a hostile look.

"Don't make it worse, kid!"

Peter finally calmed down and then spoke again.

"Well, look... Nick Fury was there the entire time. Just ask him and he can explain everything."

Cleary laughed and replied:

"Nice try, kid! But Nick Fury hasn't been seen in a while. The rumor is that he has been off-planet for a long time."

The hero of Queens was puzzled. So Nick Fury wasn't with him when he faced Mysterio? Did the Multiverse Crisis upset the attack on London? Was he really going to be able to get away with it?

That was when Alex Danvers entered the interrogation room and came to position herself near the young man.

"Alex?" he exclaimed, stunned.

"Peter, don't say another word." says Alex before turning to the federal agent. "Peter Parker or Spider-Man, whatever you call him, has no reason to be detained here."

Cleary stared at the woman with a frown.

"And you are...?"

Hesitant, Supergirl's sister revealed her identity.

"Alex Danvers, I worked at the DEO alongside Supergirl and Lex Luthor. I even fought with Spider-Man during the Crisis."

"Right." admitted Cleary not impressed by the young woman. "It is my understanding that you have resigned from an agency fighting against alien threats. Why?"

"Personal reasons." replied Alex firmly.

"That doesn't explain your presence here, Ex-director of the DEO. Explain to me why I should let go of this criminal and murderer?"

"Peter is neither a criminal. Nor a murderer. The charges against him are based on circumstantial evidence only."

"Circumstantial evidence?" said Cleary, astonished. "I've enough evidence to charge this kid for the murder of Mysterio!"

Alex was not intimidated by the officer's arrogance and replied firmly.

"Your evidence is based on the false testimony of Quentin Beck. This video presented to the media that denounces Peter was created from scratch in order to incriminate this young man. Peter is not a murderer. And he didn't kill anyone. That's what they're trying to make you believe. I have information on Quentin Beck aka Mysterio, the... In the words of this moron Jameson, an interdimensional warrior who gave his life to protect our planet and the greatest superhero of all time. This guy was no more Avenger than you and me."

"All right." said Agent Cleary, still unimpressed. "What's your evidence, Ms. Danvers?"

Alex took out a heavy file which she quickly threw on the table and opened it revealing the case of Mysterio.

"There your so-called superhero Mysterio from another world. Aka Quentin Beck. A resident of our Earth. Once talented and gifted designer and inventor. He was an employee at Stark Industries, working as an engineer for Tony Stark. Within the company, he was developing a holographic technology that he believed would change the world. But Mr. Stark declared him emotionally unstable with his inventions and therefore fired him from his company. The testimony of employees working at Stark Industries confirms this. He was a crazy person who believed that he could change the world with his creations. And Tony Stark fired him for instability. And following the death of Mr. Stark, our hero who sacrificed himself to save the world from Thanos, so Beck used his holographic technology to create these things he called the Elementals in order to attract the attention and recognition he thought his inventions deserved. And he has shaped himself the identity of Mysterio and invented this story of heroes from another universe to save the world. But in order to maintain the illusion of his Elementals, he needed to get the drones from Stark Industries, that's why he used Peter to access this technology and who used it to attack London in order to kill a group of high school students who came there on a sightseeing tour. All the evidence is here."

Cleary took a skeptical look at the file, before looking coldly at Alex.

"Where did you get this?"

"The testimony of Mr. Stark's former colleagues." Alex replied in a neutral tone. "And with the help of Supergirl and Dreamer, some of Mysterio's minions were arrested. They were involved in the attack on London. When we interrogated them after their arrests, they told us everything about the video that they created and rigged and that they anonymously sent to DailyBugle.net. in order to discriminate against Spider-Man. They told us all about Quentin Beck and his delusion of grandeur, ready to kill innocent high school students to keep his secret. Become a famous superhero in the eyes of all and get unearned recognition. This guy was a psychotic lunatic. And without the intervention of Spider-Man, he would have succeeded in his move. No human loss was suffered during the attack thanks to the courage of this young hero you arrested. Then who will you believe? Do you want to question the word of a demented psychopath or that of a high school student who didn't hesitate to rescue his entourage and who fought to save the universe? Because I remind you that Spider-Man fought against Thanos and the Anti-Monitor."

Agent Cleary seemed to be out of words, as if he didn't know what to say anymore. Then he gave Peter a hostile look.

"Even if Parker isn't guilty of the drone attack in London... it remains that his vigilante activities are illegal. Washington Monument. Venice Grand Canal. Tower Bridge. Oh, and a ferry to Staten Island, which was cut in half."

"I was trying to stop the Vulture." Peter justified. "And with Mr. Stark, we saved the ferry. "

"But you put these people in danger." persisted the Federal Agent. "With that, I have enough to send you to prison for many years."

"Agent Cleary." involved Alex with a calm but very firm voice. "I would point out, once again, that no one was killed during the events you just mentioned. No loss to be regretted. And it's not because of you. You really want to lock up the hero who saved all these people?"

"Danvers!" Cleary roared, giving the young woman a contemptuous look. "You don't want to have me as an enemy. Keep on provoking me and I will make your life a living hell!"

Alex pretended to be shocked and resumed with a calm tone.

"Whoa, take it easy! I'm not your enemy, Agent Cleary! Although I am no longer with the DEO, we share the same goal, you and I. Protect the world. I didn't come here to put a spanner in the works. I'm just here to help you solve your investigation and save you a terrible miscarriage of justice. You want to incriminate Spider-Man. Fine. But if he is really guilty of any crime, it's the facts that will tell us and nothing else. And Peter Parker committed no crimes, except that he trusted Mysterio, as many have. This young man is innocent until proven guilty."

Suddenly, someone else entered the interrogation room. Peter was stunned to recognize Lex Luthor, the evil genius he had been forced to work with during the Multiverse Crisis. He glanced at Alex, who was as stunned by his presence as she was.

Lex looked at the federal agent and Peter with a distressed look.

"All of this… Enough! Agent Cleary, how dare you?"

"Mr. Luthor, what are you doing here?" Cleary exclaimed in amazement.

"You know I'm used to working with superheroes." said Lex acting as if he was worried. "I know Peter Parker very well. He's Spider-Man. The hero who protects the Queens neighborhood in New York. This boy is a science genius and also a superhero. You can't arrest a hero like him... your evidence is insufficient to incriminate him."

Cleary tried to resume his interrogation.

"Mr. Luthor, it's not for you to tell me how to do my job..."

But Lex interrupted him by approaching Peter and laying his hands on both shoulders of the young man, as if they were both friends.

"If you're looking to charge Spider-Man with murder, you'll hear from my lawyers who will have something to exonerate him from. And you know I have the means to hire the best in the world."

Peter was stunned by the sudden arrival of the bald billionaire, not knowing what to say. Alex was stunned, wondering what Lex was up to.

Cleary was furious and took his way out of the room.

"I have to go interrogate Parker's friends, but I'm not done with you, Parker or Spider-Man! You may have powerful friends, but they won't always be able to save you!"

"I didn't ask for anything..." Peter's stunned.

But Lex spoke in a threatening tone.

"Instead of making threats against this young man, you should do your job, Agent Cleary! As you just said, it's not my place to tell you what to do!"

The Federal Agent gave Peter a hostile look and left the interrogation room with a furious slamming of the door.

Then Lex gave the young man a friendly look.

"Hey kid, I'm glad to see you again, despite these circumstances..."

Peter, not sharing the enthusiasm of the bald man, stared at him with a frown.

"Mr. Luthor, what are you doing here?"

"Come on, Peter, after what we've been through together, you don't have to call Mr. Luthor. Call me Lex!" said the bald billionaire as a kind friend.

"Why are you here?" asked Alex, giving a furious look to her bald enemy.

"I come as a friend." declared Lex with an innocent look. "We're supposed to be friends, Peter. Even more. Teammates. We know saved the universe together during the Crisis. After all we've been through, it's only right that I help you."

"You and I have a different recollection of the Crisis." Peter says firmly. "We were never friends. I don't want your help, and I don't want anything to do with you. Supergirl and J'onn told me who you are. You pretend to be a philanthropist who wants to protect the world, but you are a manipulative narcissistic psychopath. I know you tried to kill Supergirl before the Crisis. You're no better than Mysterio."

Lex acted offended and took a sad tone.

"You're breaking my heart, Spidey! My intentions have always been to protect the universe. I am an altruist even richer than Iron Man or Reed Richards!"

"Right, sure." said Peter sarcastically. "And it is through altruism that you have taken the Superman of Earth – 96 and replaced him?"

"I did what I had to do." Lex replied simply shrugging. "Without me, you'd all be dead at the dawn of time with this super-clone of Ray Palmer."

"Well, we'll never know. You killed him!" replied firmly Peter.

"Peter! Peter! Peter!" said Lex condescending, addressing the young man as if he were talking to a five-year-old. "You have no idea what kind of trouble you're in. Mysterio was only the tip of the iceberg. He's dead, but Spider-Man has even more enemies than Supergirl. It would be tragic if the pretty Aunt May, or your little geek Ned or your precious and beautiful Michelle Jones became the unfortunate victims of those who swore to kill Spider-Man. And did you think about your friend Happy, your only connection to Iron Man? Your friends heroes will not always be able to protect them. Sooner or later, they'll all come to your home to go after your aunt, and then it's gonna be your little girlfriend and your geek buddy. You think you can protect them with your web?"

Alex came to stand next to Peter, hugging the billionaire with coldness. Peter remained concerned about his current situation, but kept his seriousness in front of Lex who continued more beautiful:

"Spider-Man isn't indestructible. Supergirl and her team won't be able to help you and protect you all the time. Only I have the means to protect them all. I have the money and resources to do it. Even more than Stark. The world is ours, Peter. Join me in the game. You can continue to be Spider-Man, playing the defender of your little neighborhood and your loved ones will be safe under my generous protection. Even better. You have no idea what we could accomplish together, you and I. I know you're a little genius in science, I saw it myself when we were at the Vanishing Point. I have a lot of scientific knowledge. Join me and you will never be disappointed. Why not? Partner?"

Peter gave Lex a grim look and replied coldly:

"If I am in this situation, it is because I trusted a man who said he wanted to help me. Kind of like you. And because of that man, my life went to hell. So I will not make the same mistake again. You tried to kill Supergirl. I have no trust in you. And the world is not yours, Mr. Luthor!"

Grumpy, Lex resumed as if he was talking to a small child.

"Like it or not, we created this universe together. So he needs us to work as a team."

"And I should team up with you because you are the savior of humanity?" Peter sarcastically continued. "No way. You're just like Mysterio. You are no different."

Lex sighed, pretending to be disappointed, and put a business card on the table near Peter.

"If you ever change your mind, Peter, you'll know where to find me." (He chuckled at Alex.) "My best regards to your sister."

Alex gave him a furious look. She wished to grab him by the body and strangle him. But she was in the Department Of Damage Control. She couldn't afford to attack Lex, especially with Peter being a suspect at their agency.

Lex quietly left the room humming a song.

"I'm coming back." said Alex leaving in the footsteps of the bald billionaire.

She followed him into a corridor outside the building.

"Lex!"

The latter turned and seemed surprised to see Alex join him.

"Can I do something for you? Do you wish me to reinstate you? There will always be a place for you at the DEO if you decide to come back."

"This isn't about the DEO." Alex tells him in a neutral tone. "I wanted to thank you for helping me clear Peter Parker. I have thought about your peace proposal. And I promise to do so."

She extended her hand to him in friendship. At first suspicious, Lex ends up shaking her hand. Until her grip was very strong for him. Lex remained neutral, but ended up moaning in pain, and Alex gently approached her face towards him with a cold look in her eyes, whispering in his ear with a threatening tone.

"I don't know what you're gonna do with Peter or my sister, but if you try anything against them, I'll kill you myself. Stay away from them. Or you'll regret that the Monitor brought you back to life."

And she let go of Lex's hand and left him like that. The billionaire left DODC by rubbing his sore hand. Then he made contact with one of his spy lackeys.

"I need you to keep an eye on Parker! Watch him!"

Agent Cleary was interrogated MJ in another interrogation room. But the young woman was not impressed by the Agent and was content to stare at him with indifference.

"I want a lawyer." she says categorically.

"Ms. Jones-Watson..." began Cleary.

"Jones. I don't go by Watson." she replied in a neutral tone.

Cleary tried to remain calm and began his interrogation.

"Miss Jones... Why do you want a lawyer if..."

"…I have nothing to hide?" MJ always finished with a neutral tone.

"Exactly. Unless..." said Cleary.

'...I'm actually guilty of something?' I'm very aware of your tactics and my rights." the young woman said.

Agent Cleary kept his calm and resumed abruptly, while MJ greeted the camera above her.

"Just answer my questions. I've seen your file. You're a smart, young woman with a bright future ahead of her. Why would you risk it all by getting involved with a vigilante like Peter Parker?"

MJ remained neutral, not wanting to answer him.

Later, it was Ned's turn to be interrogated.

The poor boy was anxious and had trouble keeping calm. A moment passed before Cleary returned to the interrogation room with a sad look with another agent behind him.

"So sorry to keep you waiting. Can we get Ned a snack, please? He's been waiting. "

His colleague left the room, then Cleary addressed Ned.

"Dude, I'm so sorry about that."

Ned seemed increasingly uncomfortable in replying.

"I'm not supposed to say anything to you."

"No. Not even a thing." said Cleary pretending to be sympathetic. "I just have one question... When MJ told you that Peter was Spider-Man..."

"I knew way before MJ did." Ned replied relaxed. "I was Spider-Man's 'Guy In The Chair'."

Rejoicing, the Agent continued his interrogation.

"Oh, I know about those. I mean, half the guys have Guys in the Chair."

"Exactly! You wouldn't know..." replied the excited friend of Peter. "I literally helped him find the Vulture."

"I didn't know that."

"And I helped him hack his suit once, and kinda helped him get to space."

"I didn't know either." said Cleary more and more rejoicing.

While Ned continued with ecstasy.

"And a few days ago, I helped him find Supergirl when she needed him to fight against a Mad Superman from another Earth... They needed him for their battle in another world."

Satisfied, Cleary concludes:

"So, in Spider-Man's illegal vigilantism you were his main accomplice."

At that moment, Ned appeared ashamed, realizing the blunder he had just made and muttered to the Fed:

"I would like to have my words stricken from the record."

And it was May Parker's turn to be interrogated. Cleary stood before her, impassive. But May was content to speak casually.

"Here's the funny thing about the law. It's usually not open to random self-interest interpretation. Though you and I both know that hasn't stopped people like you from trying. With all due respect, and I mean that very insincerely… unless you have some real specific charges to throw at us, legally, you can't hold us here. I know your evidence is circumstantial."

"Sounds like someone who's been through the system before." remarked the federal agent.

"I've been arrested at a couple of protests. I'm a real career criminal." May replied sarcastically.

"You should definitely lawyer up." replied Cleary impassively. "Child endangerment's a nasty rap."

"Excuse me?"

Cleary took a sad tone to make Peter's aunt feel guilty.

"The boy was entrusted to you, and as his legal guardian, essentially his mother, you not only allowed him to endanger himself, but you actually encouraged it. Who does that?"

"I wanna see Peter right now!" demanded May severely.

Alex had returned to Peter, who sighed exhausted.

"I'm really sorry that you have to go through this." she says with sympathy, wanting to bring him some comfort.

"Thank you for coming." Peter says to her with gratitude.

"Kara and I promised to help you." he said Alex with sympathy.

"I don't trust Luthor either. Nevertheless, he's not wrong on one thing. Even if we can prove that I didn't kill Mysterio, the problem's still the same. Everyone knows I'm Spider-Man. Nothing can change that."

Alex seemed disaffected, knowing that Peter was right. She had considered the idea that J'onn would take the appearance of Spider-Man to deceive everyone. But would it work? With the known shape-changing aliens, would people be fooled by that? The young woman doubted it.

"Right now, it's matter that you are cleared of murdering this bastard." she replied wanting to be comforting. "We'll see about later."

Stark Industries was now under investigation since it had been proven that the drones causing the attack in London came from the company of the late Tony Stark. Following the evidence provided by Alex and Supergirl, Peter and his family were released from the Feds.

Peter was following the information regarding the federal investigation into Stark Industries, while his lawyer was in communication. Matt Murdock, famous blind lawyer from Hell's Kitchen in a neighborhood of New York.

Matt hung up his phone while leaning on his cane in front of the table where Peter, his aunt, Happy and Alex were sitting.

"Well, I have some good news, Peter." he announced with a cheerful look in his dark glasses. "I don't believe any of the charges against you are gonna stick."

"Wait, seriously?" cried Peter who was smiling for the first time since his arrest.

"The evidence we got was enough to clear him?" asked Alex radiantly.

Matt nodded.

"Supergirl and you did a great job. As for the murder of Mysterio, the charges against Peter have been discontinued."

May sighed with triumph.

"Oh, I knew it!"

Happy raised his fist, satisfied with the verdict.

"Oh, my God. Mr. Murdock, thank you. That's..." Peter says to his lawyer.

"Thank you, Matt." added May.

"Well done, Matt." added Alex smiling. "Nia told me you're the best."

"It was a pleasure to meet Ms. Nal." approved Matt with a smile.

Then the lawyer turned to Happy.

"However... Mr. Hogan? The feds are actively investigating the missing technology. I understand you're loyal to Mr. Stark and his legacy, but if you were involved..."

Happy suddenly appeared confused and nervous.

"If I was involved?"

"...I might secure a lawyer." said Matt, as if Happy had not said anything.

Stunned, Happy looked at the others before babbling.

"I need a lawyer, because I'm un... I'm under inves... I thought… you said, there's no charge?"

"DODC's still investigating the drones of Stark Industries." explained Alex. "And since you've been in charge of this technology since the death of Tony Stark, they're looking at you as a prime suspect. We have not yet been able to determine the drone hacking by Quentin Beck."

Happy resumed with casualness.

"I could say under advisement of counsel, I refuse to answer the question respectfully because I... the answer could incriminate me." (Then he seemed confused, not knowing what to say anymore) "There's a saying in 'Goodfellas'. What did they say in 'Goodfellas'?"

But May gently laid her hand on hers.

"I know that's what you think. Calm down. Let's hear what he has to say. Matt?"

"You're gonna need a really good lawyer." Matt replied with assurance.

Then the Hell's Kitchen's lawyer turned again to the young hero of Queens.

"Peter. We may have dodged your legal troubles, but things will get much worse. There is still the court of public opinion."

Peter and Alex's enthusiasm had suddenly disappeared. Although Spider-Man is no longer charged with the murder of Mysterio in the eyes of the authorities, citizens, having taken seriously the campaign to denigrate him, still considered him a savage murderer. And Jameson's lies didn't make things better. Especially since he had blabbered about an accomplice between Spider-Man and the Anti-Monitor. Which had spawned multiple potential plotters developing false theories about the assassination of Mysterio by Spider-Man. Peter was shocked that people would believe such nonsense.

Suddenly, a projectile came through the window, hitting right on the four people gathered in the living room, until... Despite being completely blind, Murdock deftly caught it in mid-air with a single hand.

"Murderer! Mysterio forever!" shouted someone outside, probably a supporter of Quentin Beck.

Calm, Matt had frozen, holding what seemed to be a brick in his hand without saying a word. The others looked at him, slightly shocked.

Unbelieving, Peter took the brick from him, his eyes fixed on the avocado.

"How did you just do that?"

"I'm a really good lawyer." Matt simply replied in a very calm tone.

Peter then looked at the projectile which turned out to be a brick wrapped in newspaper. On this one, someone wrote a misspelled phrase with a red marker: 'WE BELEIVE MYSTERIO!'

An attack by a conspirator against Spider-Man who knew where to find him.

"Peter, May." said Alex. "I'm afraid you're going to have to move and find a safer place. This will not be the only attack of a conspirator you will suffer."

"I know where we can go." Happy said confidently.

Peter and his aunt had left their apartment in Queens to move into the building where Happy lived on Long Island. As soon as Peter and May walked through the front door, a loud alarm sounded throughout the loft. Grunting and stuffing her ears, May hastened to put it out.

Then she looked around her and admired the place.

"It looks nice and... safe."

They were greeted by DUM – E, Tony Stark's robotic arm, who waved at them. Happy returned with a large plant and some luggage.

"Welcome to the Spiritual Oasis." he announced joyfully with exhaustion. "You like Donkey Kong Jr.?"

In New York, in the city-based L-Corps office of Lex Luthor, was Matt Murdock, although he had no desire to be here. But he had been contacted by the billionaire of L-Corps, and couldn't refuse. He didn't know how Luthor had learned that he had defended Peter, and Lex was charming with him by offering him a job as a lawyer in his company.

"Mr. Murdock, you've done a very good job in getting Peter Parker acquitted of the death of Mysterio. I consider this young man my closest friend. And to thank you for your support of my friend, I offer you a magnificent law firm subsidized by L-Corps. You will be paid a fair wage for your services. Great assets at your disposal, Matt. It's an offer that can't be refused."

But Matt wasn't impressed. He stood on his white cane and answered in a neutral tone.

"I appreciate your offer, Mr. Luthor. But I'm not interested in your firm. I have always enjoyed working in my own law firm that I founded with my friend Foggy Nelson and for nothing in the world, I will not exchange it for another. And I'm not interested in your money either, Lex. What I already have is fine with me."

"So, how can I thank you?" insisted Lex.

"I just did my job. I defended Mr. Parker as I would anyone."

Lex rose from his desk and walked slowly towards him with a file in hand.

"I know all about you, Matt Murdock. You were born and raised in New York. Absent mother, post-partum depression and father boxer deceased. You lost your sight when you were nine years old. You studied law at Columbia University. And one day, with your... your friend... Franklin Nelson, you had founded your law firm of Nelson and Murdock. Together, you fought to bring down Wilson Fisk, a former crime lord."

"And I'm proud of it." Matt replied always neutral.

"Your career is very impressive and you refuse a grant from Lex Luthor? I am very surprised."

Although blind, Matt wanted to be firm with the bald billionaire.

"Mr. Luthor, I didn't choose to do this job for money. But to see justice done. It's a vow I've made for myself for a long time. And I don't want anything coming from you. I've learned a lot about you too, Lex Luthor. Nothing concrete at the moment, but you are quite involved in illegal activities that have attracted my attention. Although I am blind, I am not deaf to the rumors that resonate about you."

"Coming from someone who defends Spider-Man against the campaign of denigration against him, I expected you not to take these lies about me seriously." Lex replied with a smile.

"There are many ways to get the truth." said Matt. "Anyway, I'm not interested in your offer. And I won't change my mind. I refuse any grant from you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to return to Hell's Kitchen. I have work to do."

He turned to leave the office leaning on his cane. Then, without looking back, he answered Lex.

"No need to accompany me, I know the way."

Lex sits in his office. Shortly after the lawyer left, he contacted one of his lackeys.

"Did you locate Parker and her aunt? At that dumb Happy Hogan? Perfect."

He finished his telephone conversation and rejoiced.

"Now I know where you live, Spider-Man."

In the streets of New York, a Dominator appeared from nowhere and came straight on to passers-by who fled, panicked. The hideous creature roars. Then Dreamer appeared behind the alien.

"I've got you, now!" she said, throwing an energy lasso.

She turned her lasso on the Dominator, but the creature dodged it. Then it was Spider-Man's turn to intervene. He swung from canvas to canvas and came to hit the alien with his two legs, causing it to fall to the ground. Dreamer took the opportunity to tie up the Dominator with his lasso.

Once the creature was stopped, the National City's superheroine turned to him.

"Hi, Spider-Man. Thanks for the help!"

Spider-Man landed next to her.

"Hi Dreamer! What is that thing? An alien?"

"Yup, a Dominator." replied Dreamer. "He escaped from National City and I've been tracking him ever since. Thank you for helping me. I'm glad there's no charge against you."

"I should thank you for that." added Spider-Man. "I know you helped."

"Supergirl and Alex did the biggest." said the young woman in blue.

Close to them, a thief escaped from a shop. Spider-Man took off.

"A job for the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!"

The thief ran away from the shop, but Spider-Man caught him in the air. He used his web which clung to the foot of the thief, hanging him in the air. Then the hero of Queens recovered the bag he had stolen. Dreamer joined him, impressed.

"Well done, Spidey!"

Unfortunately, a woman coming out of the same shop as the thief headed for Spider-Man looking at him with contempt.

"Whoa, what are you doing? You can't do this anymore." She exclaimed, pointing to the canvas that hung the thief in the air.

"He's a thief." Spider-Man justified with confusion.

"You're a child." said the angry woman.

Then a passerby who passed by added nonchalantly:

"Show some respect. He's not a child. He's fourteen years old."

"No, I'm not fourteen!" exclaimed Spider-Man in outrage.

"I had a child when I was fourteen." added a man who stood close to them.

"My son is fourteen. He's a moron!" joined a security guard who was chasing the thief.

"I'm not… I'm not fourteen years old." insisted Spider-Man.

"Regardless of his age, Spider-Man's a hero." Dreamer said in a categorical tone. "He has arrested this thief and you should cheer him on. He doesn't deserve this hatred."

But the Female Shopgoer resumed, more and more contemptuous as if Dreamer had said nothing.

"It doesn't matter if he's fourteen or if he's fifteen, he's not equipped to make these kinds of decisions."

"It's true; teenagers' brains aren't fully developed yet." says another woman from her car parked on the sidewalk where they were.

"He can't even rent a car." said the lady at the shop.

"He doesn't need a car, he's been to space!" said the man who claimed to have worked at fourteen.

"Thank you." finally relieved Spider-Man.

"And he also fought the Anti-Monitor." added Dreamer in a firm voice.

"Thank you, Dreamer!"

"Well, how do you know these two people aren't working together?" Female Shopgoer said. "He's probably in cahoots with this guy. All three had to work together. And we don't know what's in that bag!"

"In cahoots with the Anti-Monitor and this guy?" exclaimed Spider-Man pointing to the thief still hanging in the air. "Are you kidding me? I never worked as a team with the Anti-Monitor and even less with this guy!"

"Cahoots!" said the thief who swung in the air. "We've been in cahoots the whole time! And we even worked with the Anti-Thing..."

Dreamer came to catch the thief by his face and spoke to him in a threatening tone.

"Don't make it worse. Shut your mouth!"

Then a man in a hood came to splash the Spider-Man costume with a green spray paint and fled screaming in rage.

"MURDERER! MYSTERIO FOREVER!"

Spider-Man, whose suit was covered with green paint, looked at himself from head to toe. Dreamer stared at him with embarrassment and compassion.

"I'm sorry for you, Spidey! Chin up, okay? Doing what you do and don't pay attention to these ignorant morons who believe anything!"

"If only it were that easy." replied Spider-Man with a defeatist voice.