New life and new me
'I don't want to cause anymore pain here... I can't live with that burden any longer... So, it's time for me to say... Goodbye, Spider-Man...' - Peter finished his thought as he threw the suitcase into the sea.
The screen got dark.
"Wait! But what happened next?" - Gwen was the one to speak up.
"I would've shown you but it can wait till tomorrow. It will be all for today." - Croakus calmly replied as he teleported everyone back to their world.
The next morning Peter woke up and felt refreshed for the first time in a few months. He came downstairs to see Aunt May already up and making breakfast.
"Good morning, Aunt May" - Peter said as he kissed her cheek.
"Good morning, Peter. You seem to be in a good mood today." - Aunt May smiled at her nephew.
"I just had a good day yesterday." - the teen said shrugging his shoulders.
After breakfast Peter gave a goodbye kiss to his aunt and went to Horizon.
"Hey, Peter!" - came a voice from behind.
A latina girl with brown hair tied in a ponytail ran up to Parker and hugged him from behind. Peter was a bit startled but then remembered Miles's words that Aña was like that with all of her friends.
"Hey, Aña. What's up?" - Peter smiled at girls antics. - "Is Miles here as well?"
"Not sure. I didn't see him on the way here. Maybe he's already inside."
"Talking about me?" - Miles said as he approached Peter and Aña.
Aña.went to hug Miles as Peter and Miles bumped their fists. After they greeted each other they went straight to Horizon. They parted ways since they had to take some things from their respective labs for their next class. The biology class has started as Max Modell entered the auditorium
"I'm sorry for interrupting you from the lecture, bright minds. I'm here just to make an announcement. Horizon High is starting an inventions contest between the students. The most impressive invention will win 10000 dollars. You can work by yourself or in a group. Only you can decide. That will be all, please continue the class."
After classes ended Peter, Aña and Miles decided to team up and went to Silver Spoon to discuss what they're going to do. Parker didn't see the popular clique of Midtown High plus MJ and Sha Shan resting here as well. Once MJ spotted Pete she went up to him.
"Hey, Tiger."
Peter immediately looked up to see the hot redhead smiling down at him.
"Hey, MJ. Didn't know you were here too. Oh, let me introduce to you my friends, Aña Corazón and Miles Morales. Miles, Aña, this is Mary Jane Watson, my friend from Midtown High."
"Can I call you MJ too?" - Aña asked excited.
"Sure thing. I like that girl already, Tiger." - MJ smiled back at the girl before turning back to Peter. - "Actually, Tiger, don't you have anything to tell me?" - Redhead looked at Parker with a sweet smile but that kind of smile made ex-superhero shiver in fear.
"U-uhm..." - Peter gulped nervously.
"Well, let me enlighten you then. How about a 'sorry' for not telling me that you transfered to another school?" - MJ said before she turned away. - "You left me all alone in this cruel world and didn't even tell me where you went." - MJ faked sobs using her acting skill to it's fullest.
"You're getting better in acting, MJ." - Peter replied after a chuckle.
"What can I say, I know my thing."
"Are you sure you two aren't dating? You two would look cute together." - Aña grinned making Peter blush a little.
"Sadly for me his heart is stolen by someone else." - MJ faked being sad again.
"You mean Gwen Stacy? I've moved on from her."
"Wow, Tiger, you continue to surprise me more and more."
"Well, considering all of the things happened, I've decided to start anew in Horizon. And it seems that everything is working."
"Good for you..." - MJ wanted to say more but Liz's voice stopped her.
"H-hey, Petey... C-can we please talk? Alone..." - Liz said rubbing her hand.
"U-uh, s-sure, Liz."
This evening the viewing continued. Everyone was thrilled by the prospect of seeing Spider-Man's adventures. For them it became like going to the cinema to watch new thrilling film.
"Well, since everyone is here, let's continue from where we left off." - Croakus said as the screen turned on.
'I don't want to cause anymore pain here... I can't live' with that burden any longer... So, it's time for me to say... Goodbye, Spider-Man...' - Peter finished his thought as he threw the suitcase into the sea.
The scene switched to show Peter the next morning going to the Bugle. The teen went straight to Jonah's office.
"Parker! Where've you been?!" - Jonah said in his usual manner.
In the theatre Mrs. Jameson bonked her husband on the head making him wince in pain.
"What was that for?!""
"In the hospital... Here's the photos from Spider-Man's last fight... And my resignation letter... I'm quitting this job." - Peter said calmly as his collegues looked between each other in surprise.
"That really got us shocked at the time." - Robbie said getting a nod from other Bugle workers.
Peter managed to take photos from his fights with Rhino, Electro, Shoker, Vulture and Dr. Octopus. He didn't get any from fight with Carnage and Molten Man since the symbiote was a much tougher opponent.
"Ok, I'm willing to give you... 1000 bucks."
"1500..." - Peter replied.
"Deal! Now get out of my office!"
And that got Jonah to recieve another hit on the head from his wife.
"Ouch!"
As Peter was out of the building he took his phone and dialed a number.
"Hey, Mj, it's Peter. I've finished with my business. Let's meet up at the Central Park."
"Sure, Tiger. I'm on my way."
In an hour Peter and Mary Jane met in the park.
"Hey, MJ, you ready?"
"Was born ready."
For the whole day teens were taking photos for MJ's portfolio and now they were walking home.
Peter looked to his right at the building's windows to see a Spider-Man in reflection. Memories of that day were brought back as Parked fell to his knees gasping for air and clutching his chest as his heart rate started to accelerate.
"Hey, Pete! Are you ok? - MJ asked worried.
"What's happening with my nephew?" - Aunt May worriedly asked for an answer.
"Peter's got a PTSD after what happened with Carnage."
"D-does he still have it?" - this time it was Gwen who asked.
"He's better now but it's better not to show him Spider-Man's photos.
After a few minutes as Pete calmed down a bit and got better. After getting a word from MJ that she will not tell about it to anyone they continued to walk home.
"Well, I'll just need to edit the photos a little. They should be ready by tomorrow morning. Sorry for not being able to help you sooner."
"It's no big, Tiger. It's not like you could help it at the moment." - MJ smiled before speaking again. - "Actually, how are things going with Gwen?"
Peter's face became dark immediately as he spoke. - "They don't go at all. She stayed with Harry and I didn't hear from her nor Harry a thing from the moment summer break started."
"S-sorry... I didn't know about that." - Mary Jane said feeling guilty.
"Don't worry about it."
Gwen and Harry looked down at the floor in shame.
"Maybe it just wasn't meant to be." - Peter sighed as he and MJ walked home in silence.
Once they reached their respective houses, Peter and MJ said their goodbyes to each other with the boy promising to bring flash drive in the morning. As he reached the door, Peter got a call from an unknown number.
"Hello?" - Parker said answering the call.
"Is that Peter Parker I'm talking with right now?"
"Y-yes, it's me. Who am I talking with?"
"Oh, sorry. It's Max Modell from Horizon High. I wondered if we could meet up tomorrow in the afternoon."
"U-uh, sure, Mr. Modell."
"Oh, call me Max. How about we meet at Silver Spoon? I heard it's a popular place among students."
"Sure, it'll be a pleasure to meet you."
"Pleasure is all mine, Peter. Till tomorrow then." - Max said as he hung up the phone.
The next morning after breakfast, Peter gave MJ her photos before going to the Silver Spoon to meet Mr. Modell.
"Oh, Peter. Glad that you came." - Max stood up and shook the teen's hand.
"Hello, Mr. Modell... I meant M-max." - Peter said. - "What did you want to talk about with me?"
"I wanted to offer you a place in Horizon High. I see a potential in you and I want to be the one to help it manifest."
"But the studying there is quite expensive... I don't think I'll be able to pay..."
"No need to worry about that, my boy. The place is free. There're few students with that privellege and I'm sure you'll get along with them quite well."
"I..." - Peter hesitated but remembering what happened throughout the year in Midtown High he made up his mind. - "I'll be honored to join Horizon."
As Max and Pete shook their hands last time, Pete got a message from MJ saying that she got the job. The teen smiled and sent her a reply congratulating the girl.
"Uhm, Mr. Croakus? Is Pete happy in Horizon?" - Gwen raised her hand.
"How about I show you? Then, you can decide it for yourself.
The next morning Peter woke up and felt refreshed for the first time in a few months. He came downstairs to see Aunt May already up and making breakfast.
"Good morning, Aunt May" - Peter said as he kissed her cheek.
"Good morning, Peter. You seem to be in a good mood today." - Aunt May smiled at her nephew.
"I just had a good day yesterday." - the teen said shrugging his shoulders.
After breakfast Peter gave a goodbye kiss to his aunt and went to Horizon.
"Hey, Peter!" - came a voice from behind.
A latina girl with brown hair tied in a ponytail ran up to Parker and hugged him from behind. Peter was a bit startled but then remembered Miles's words that Aña was like that with all of her friends.
A tick mark appeared on Felicia's forehead as she looked at the screen.
'Who does this Aña girl think she is hugging MY boyfriend? Wait! B-boyfriend? W-well, we have a h-history together and even k-kissed once...'
The whole time she thought about it, Felicia was blushing furiously as Walter looked at his daughter amused.
"Hey, Aña. What's up?" - Peter smiled at girls antics. - "Is Miles here as well?"
"Not sure. I didn't see him on the way here. Maybe he's already inside."
"Talking about me?" - Miles said as he approached Peter and Aña.
Aña.went to hug Miles as Peter and Miles bumped their fists. After they greeted each other they went straight to Horizon. They parted ways since they had to take some things from their respective labs for their next class. The biology class has started as Max Modell entered the auditorium
"I'm sorry for interrupting you from the lecture, bright minds. I'm here just to make an announcement. Horizon High is starting an inventions contest between the students. The most impressive invention will win 10000 dollars. You can work by yourself or in a group. Only you can decide. That will be all, please continue the class."
After classes ended Peter, Aña and Miles decided to team up and went to Silver Spoon to discuss what they're going to do. Parker didn't see the popular clique of Midtown High plus MJ and Sha Shan resting here as well. Once MJ spotted Pete she went up to him.
"Hey, Tiger."
Peter immediately looked up to see the hot redhead smiling down at him.
"Hey, MJ. Didn't know you were here too. Oh, let me introduce to you my friends, Aña Corazón and Miles Morales. Miles, Aña, this is Mary Jane Watson, my friend from Midtown High."
"Can I call you MJ too?" - Aña asked excited.
"Sure thing. I like that girl already, Tiger." - MJ smiled back at the girl before turning back to Peter. - "Actually, Tiger, don't you have anything to tell me?" - Redhead looked at Parker with a sweet smile but that kind of smile made ex-superhero shiver in fear.
Every man in theatre started sweating and shiver in fear knowing that kind of smile very well.
"U-uhm..." - Peter gulped nervously.
"Well, let me enlighten you then. How about a 'sorry' for not telling me that you transfered to another school?" - MJ said before she turned away. - "You left me all alone in this cruel world and didn't even tell me where you went." - MJ faked sobs using her acting skill to it's fullest.
"You're getting better in acting, MJ." - Peter replied after a chuckle.
"What can I say, I know my thing."
"Are you sure you two aren't dating? You two would look cute together." - Aña grinned making Peter blush a little.
"Sadly for me his heart is stolen by someone else." - MJ faked being sad again.
"You mean Gwen Stacy? I've moved on from her."
That really stung as Gwen looked at the floor. She knew she messed up really bad since Pete now called her by full name.
"Wow, Tiger, you continue to surprise me more and more."
"Well, considering all of the things happened, I've decided to start anew in Horizon. And it seems that everything is working."
"Good for you..." - MJ wanted to say more but Liz's voice stopped her.
"H-hey, Petey... C-can we please talk? Alone..." - Liz said rubbing her hand.
"U-uh, s-sure, Liz."
Both Liz and Peter went ouside while MJ stayed to talk with Miles and Aña
"Liz/Petey" - Liz and Peter said at the same time. - "S-sorry! You first!"
Both teens stood in silence for a minute before looking at each other. Peter motioned with his hand that Liz can say what she wanted first.
"P-petey... I'm sorry..." - Liz said making the boy feel confused.
"F-for what?" - Peter asked genuinely surprised.
"Look, I-I'm sorry for how I acted when you wanted to break up... I shouldn't have made a scene."
"Well, I think I totally deserved that." - Peter interrupted Liz before she continued apologizing. - "I'm sorry too... I shouldn't have lead you on about my feelings... I'm sorry for playing with your heart like that."
Peter and Liz were in silence again but this time it was a comfortable one as they smiled a little since they finally managed to mend things between them.
"So/Well" - They both started at the same time again as they chuckled.
"Well, since we have this out of the way... What do you say about being friends, Petey? Maybe you weren't a good boyfriend, but as a tutor you were great. And I'll probably need some help preparing for exams." - Liz smirked.
The last thing made Peter chuckle as Liz smiled seeing this.
"Friends?"
"Yes, Liz. Friends."
Liz and Peter hugged each other before walking back while discussing what they were up to during the summer break. Once they were inside Liz kissed Peter on the cheek.
"I'll see you around, Petey." - Liz said as she started walking back to her friends.
"Sure." - Peter replied smiling getting an amused smirk from MJ.
"Well, Tiger. I suppose I can congratulate you with getting back together with Liz?" - The redhead said in an amused tone.
"Hm? We decided to stay as friends." - Parker smiled. - "But I'm glad we've patched things between us." - Peter said his smile getting brighter as he got MJ and Aña blushing a little. - "Seems like Parker's luck has started to release it's hold on me." - Peter finished his thought getting confused looks from Miles and Aña.
"Well. what do you think? Do you think Mr. Parker is happy?" - Croakus asked as Gwen nodded.
"I didn't see him smiling that much after Ben's death. I'm glad Peter is happy." - May said as she looked at the screen with the fond smile.
"Before I'll have to send you all back to your world, let's watch another adventure from the past."
"All right, grab all the cash from the register and safe, but don't eat nothing. Mrs. M's my great auntie". - One of the thugs told to his band.
Suddenly a red light in the shape of Spiderman's mask lite up all three thugs.
"So, you'll rob the piggy bank, but won't touch the cookie jar? You must qualify for Nephew of the Year. Twisted division". - Spider-Man appeared.
"Another fight and another stupid joke". - Sally rolled her eyes.
"Spider-Man. Get him!" - Their leader told to other thugs as they rushed outside.
"Spider-Man. Get him." - mocked Peter as he dodged swings and punches from the thugs. - " Really? Is that the best you got? I go to all this trouble to turn you into famous Spider-perps. The least you could do is keep things interesting. I always do". - He webbed behind, getting three pies and kicked them into the thug's face. -" I'm really quite creative". - Peter finished dealing with bandits and webbed them to a lamp post for cops to arrest. - "Now, let's review that to-do list. Stopped the crime: Check. Took pictures of my web-slinging self to win the Daily Bugle's photo contest: Check, check. Hightail it home before curfew: Check, check, check. Yup, for once, I'm making all the right moves. All the smart choices".
Then scene changed to Connors home. Curt was in the bathroom, looking at injection he took from the lab.
"Curt?" - Martha called her husband.
"Yeah. Right there, hon". - Curt answered as he injected the formula into his shoulder as he bent over in pain.
The scene opens back up to the Parker house.
"All these bills". - May sighed, flipping through the bills.
"I'm home". - Peter walked into the kitchen. - " And before 10, thank you very much".
"Peter, making your curfew with only seconds to spare is hardly cause for celebration".
"Aunt May, don't stress, okay? I know you've been struggling to make ends meet. But that's all about to change. Believe me". - Peter went upstairs.
The scene changed back to the Connors home, into Billy's bedroom.
"Billy's reading about lizards?"
"He wanted to know about those new skinks at the lab. He's a Connors".
"Come on, let's go to bed".
The scene went back to the Parker home. Peter was standing at the computer with the top half of his spider suit on. The bottom half and the mask and gloves laid on the bed.
"Yup, Aunt May's troubles are over. That Bugle prize money is as good as... No. The window caught the flash. They're all useless". - Peter groaned as he slammed his head onto his desk.
The scene changed back to the Connors home. Curt laid groaning in pain on his bed. A yell of pain woke Martha from her slumber.
"Curt, what is it?" - Martha asked worriedly.
Curt was yelling out in pain as his right arm grew back. After the pain, Curt looked into the mirror shocked, before turning to his wife.
"I can't believe it". -Martha started crying, when she saw her husband's hand is back.
"It worked". - Curt said excited.
"What worked? What did you... Curt, tell me you didn't use that lizard DNA formula". - Martha scolded.
"Some lizards regenerate lost limbs". - Mr. Connors tried to defend himself.
"And some lizards stick to walls and eat raw meat. That doesn't mean you risk your life..."
"Look at the results. Don't you see what this means? To me? To the world? We can literally heal millions".
"Mom? Dad?" - Billy said, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"Hey, partner".
"Whoa, Dad, your arm". - Billy said happily.
The scene changes to Midtown High. Students were walking out of school. but Flash and Kenny were still inside filling up water balloons to throw at Peter from the window.
"There's Parker". - Kenny told to Flash.
"This is perfect. By the time we're through, he'll be a shivering, wet rat. I mean, more than usual". - said Flash with a smirk.
Peter felt his spider-sense tingle in the back of his head and pretended to bend down and tie his show, making the water balloon bust on the ground behind him.
"Dude, you missed". - pointed Kenny.
"Dumb luck. Jerk's lousy with it. Hey, Puny Parker". - Flash yelled, throwing five water balloons at him.
Peter dodged all of the balloons with the grace of a dancer. The other students were asking questions and whispering to each other.
"What? Check out Parker".
'Oh, secret identities reek'. - Peter thought to himself. - " Come on, quarterback, can't you complete a single..." - Parker couldn't finish the sentence as he got hit in the face with the balloons.
All the students started laughing at Peter. Flash was about to throw another one. but Gwen stepped in front of Peter.
"Move, geekette, or you're next". - Flash said angrily.
"Please, you haven't got the game. If you could hit a target, would we have lost to Bronx Tech? You choked like a cat with a hairball". - Gwen mocked Thompson.
This time all of the students were laughing at Flash. Flash gritted his teeth and was about to hit the girl with a balloon. but Rand stepped in this time.
"Dude, you want some aloe vera for that burn? Come on, Einsteins". - said Rand, walking away with Peter and Gwen.
Flash squeezed the balloon out of anger, making it burst and spilling all the water on top of his head. Kenny could only laugh at his friend's predicament.
Flash blushed in embarrassment as he saw himself get humiliated and heard the others laugh around him.
Mrs. Thompson looked and saw her son blush and patted his back in a comforting manner. - "Don't worry, son. I am sure that you will appreciate Peter soon".
"I already do, mom". - Flash told to his mom, giving a little smile.
"Anything's better than just standing there and taking it". - said Gwen.
"Excuse me? Standing there and taking it is Nerd Survival 101. Besides, I got bigger problems". - retored Peter.
"Still no Spider-Man pictures, huh? Counting on winning that prize money for your aunt might not be..."
"What am I supposed to do? I never asked to be broke, or semi-grounded or smart enough to be Flash's drenching boy".
"You stop right there. I'm so not letting you wish away your big brain".
"If it's so big, how come it can't solve my problems?"
"Big, but unripe. Give it time, Cantaloupe Boy". - Gwen walked with Peter into the lab.
"About time. The Connors are due back any minute". - Eddie tossed the broom to Peter. - " Here, bro. We've still got cleaning..."
"Save it for later. First, we celebrate". - Curt walked into the room, with Martha and Billy following him.
"Oh, сake". - said Gwen.
"Chocolate". - Billy and Martha answered at the same time.
"What exactly are we celebrat..." - Eddie wanted to ask, before he saw Connors arm. - " Your hand. Your right hand".
After smiles and hugs, Eddie and Curt decide to arm-wrestle. Eddie was the victor and apologized with a sad look on his face.
"What, are you kidding? Do you know how thrilled I am to lose at arm-wrestling?"
"Doc, this is huge. Your lizard formula's the cure for, like, every lost limb and amputation in the world. We're talking guaranteed Nobel Prize".
"Slow down, Eddie. Bad enough my husband used himself as a guinea..." - Martha stopped as she noticed something. - " Billy, Eddie installed "Space Wackos ll" on the computer".
"Wackos? Wicked." - Billy said as he ran to the office.
"If you're gonna crank the volume, close the door, please". - Martha told her son as she turned to her husband. - " Take off your shirt, dear".
"What, are you kidding? It's freezing in here". - Curt saw Martha's glare and obliged. - "All right".
Everyone gasps as the see the scales going down his back. Martha hugged Curts arm a little tighter in one arm and hugs Billy tighter in the other one.
The scene cut out on the right side of Curts back, that is covered in green lizard scales. The screen then went black and opened back up to a nighttime.
"Lizard DNA is more primitive than human, and the reptilian part of your brain is growing". - said Martha.
"It's growing. I'm regressing. I can feel the change".
"Curt, please. You need to keep a clear head".
"No, you need to hurry. I'm losing control".
"The formula creates new reptile sequences faster than I can ID them. I don't know how we'll knock them down". - said Eddie looking at the data on the computer.
"Wait, bro. What if we work from the other end? Create a human DNA filter that knocks out the lizard code? Like the noise filter on a phone". - suggested Peter.
"Yeah, nice try, bro, but..." - Eddie wanted to say something, but he was cut off by Martha.
"No, wait. That could work. A gene cleanser". - Martha understood where Peter was going.
"Yes. Yes, of course. I should've seen it before. My notes. They'll have all the data we need". - Curt realized, what his mistake was.
"So, it'll remove any nonhuman DNA". - said Gwen.
'Even spider'. - Peter thought.
"Did he want to erase spider genes from his DNA?" - Gwen didn't like, where this was going.
Peter saw Billy looking from the office door. Billy noticed he was caught and closed the door before rushing back to the office chair. Peter walked through the door a second later.
"Hey, Billy. How long were you listening?"
"I don't wanna talk about that".
"Okay. What do you wanna talk about?"
"The book says some lizards lay hundreds of eggs a nd never see them hatch. Most of the babies get eaten by predators. And the parents don't even care because they've only got lizard brains".
"Billy, trust me. Your dad will always care about you".
"Even if he turns into a monster?"
Billy and Peter opened the office door and saw Dr. Connors with his hands holding his head in pain. Martha watched as her husbands nails turned into black claws.
"Curt". - said Martha worried for her husband.
Everybody could only look on in horror as Curts body and mind changed into the lizard.
"I've made a terrible mistake".
"Curt. Curt, do you recognize me?"
"Doc, stop. We just wanna..."
The lizard grabbed Eddie and threw him at Peter and Billy. Peter pushed Billy out of the way and took Eddie's full weight to the chest, making them both tumble on the floor. The lizard jumped out of the skylight, making both Gwen and Martha dodge the falling glass. Once the lizard was gone Martha and Gwen went to check on Peter and Eddie
"Eddie?" - Gwen was worried for named teen.
"Finish the gene cleanser. I'll follow the doc and call in with a location".
"I should get going too. Aunt May will ground me if I'm not home by 10". - Peter tried to come up with something, so he would be able to chase after Lizard and Eddie.
"Pete, you can't leave now. We have to help". - Gwen tried to reason with her friend.
"Well, I just... I can't be late. She worries". - Peter ripped his arm from Gwen's hold, grabbed his pack with
"Peter, wait!" - Martha tried to call Peter to comeback.
"How could he just...?" - Gwen couldn't believe Pete just left
"I guess... I guess he's scared. First Electro, now this. It's overwhelming. And he's only 16".
"I'm 16".
"I know. And thank you". - Martha hugged Gwen.
"I should have known Peter wouldn't just leave. How could I have been so stupid?" - Gwen said as she wiped her eyes".
Scene changes to Peter as he runs down an alley changing into his suit.
"Now, if I were a 6'5" lizard instead of a 5'6" spider where would I hide?" - Peter thought aloud as he noticed smashed cars and people that were running out of the subway. - " Duh, underground".
"Don't panic. Just head for the exit". - Eddie helped some people and continued following doc.
"Sorry, pal, no eating in the subway". - Spidey kicked Lizard into ticket booth.
The lizard threw the booth at spiderman, causing him to dodge it, making the rubble fall towards Eddie, but was saved when Spider-Man webbed the rubble above his head. Spider-Man grabbed the lizard and webbed him to the wall.
"Dr. Connors, we have to get you back to the lab, understand? Dr. C, you in there?" - Peter said, but Lizard broke his head free and snapped his teeth at Spider-Man. - " Okay, maybe not. Can you say halitosis?" - Lizard just roared at Peter. - " I knew that you could".
The lizard broke free and charged at Spider-Man. The two fought back and forth across the subway, but Spider-Man manages to dodge and tried to go in for a swinging kick.
"Okay, doc, this is gonna hurt me more than it hurts you". - Peter got smacked by the lizard's tail making him fall onto a metal beam. - " Oh, yeah. Definitely hurts me more than you".
Spider-Man heard the lizard roar, but he saw three thanks to a head injury and couldn't dodge the lizard's tail that smashed into his hand, breaking it. Spiderman rolled on the tracks and almost touched the third rail.
"Watch that third rail, web-head". - Peter groaned as he webbed up his hand.
Everyone at the theatre flinched, when they heard the bones in Peter's hand cracked.
Spider-Man looked for Lizard as he avoided an incoming train and didn't see as the lizard crawled closer and kicked him into a pillar, knocking him unconscious. Eddie saw that the lizard was still on the roof of the train and ran inside before it could get away.
"Anyone get the number of that...? Uh-oh". - Peter was the Lizard still on the roof of the train and webbed a line to it.
Spider-Man managed to catch up with the train and fought the Lizard, but sadly the fight ended when the Lizard threw him off the train, making him tumble and roll on the tracks in pain.
"So much for plan A".
"That's it? We're done?" - Gwen asked Martha.
"I think so. It all squares with Curt's research. There's only one way to test it, and since Curt's hide is so thick we'll have to find a way to make him drink it".
"Maybe by asking for help from a guy in a spider onesie?"
"Spider-Man". - Gwen and Martha said at the same time.
"I get that reaction a lot".
"How did you know we needed you?" - asked Gwen.
"My spider-sense was tingling?" - Peter tried to come up with a solid explanation.
Then the phone rang.
"Hello?" - Martha picked up the phone.
"It's me. He's at the Bronx Zoo". - Eddie was the one who called to the lab.
"Tell your friend to stay clear of the Lizard. I'm on my way". - Peter webbed the vial with gene cleanser and went to help Dr. Connors.
"Was that..." - Eddie was heard on the phone.
Our local hero. He'll be there. I'll be right behind". - Martha told Eddie before turning to Gwen. - " Gwen, can you stay with Billy?"
"Of course". - Gwen ran to the office to see that Billy wasn't there and saw the phone hanging by the line. - Dr. Connors!"
Scene changed to Eddie as he walks through the reptile house at the zoo and let out a loud gasp when Spider-Man landed right behind him.
"I get that reaction a lot too".
"I think he's in there with the other creepy-crawlies. Must've smelled them or something". - Eddie explained.
"Good. Stay put". - Peter said before swinging into the building. - " Like a sauna in here. And me without my Spidey trunks".
Spider-Man continued until he saw a large pool and saw what he believed to be the Lizard, but quickly came to the realization that it was an alligator.
"Oh, perfect. In-laws".
Spider-Man didn't see the actual Lizard sneak up behind him until the Lizard wrapped him in a hug and dove back under the water. Spider-Man was quickly losing oxygen and no way to escape. After Spider-Man passed out, the alligator came and attacked the Lizard, making him let go of Spider-Man in the attack. Spider-Man floated to the top where Eddie saw him and grabbed him pulling him to safety.
"I thought I told you to stay put. You're complaining?"
"No way, bro... Guy. Look, we need a new strategy". - Peter almost revealed his identity but managed to cover that up. - " Lizzie's not in a medicine-taking mood". Not when he's so enjoying his play date in the heated pool. Wait a minute". - Spidey got up and ran towards the iced section. - " The fake swamp was heated but dunk a cold-blooded reptile in freezing water and he'll slow up''.
"Right. Slow enough for someone to force a little gene cleanser down his throat. But first you need to get him here with lizard bait".
"Don't even think about..."
"My choice. Try to stop me". - said Eddie as he ran off.
"I'm impressed, bro". - Peter swinged to the ice encloser. - " Okay, prep time. First, make sure the polar bears don't take a midnight swim". - Spidey webbed the cave entrances. - " Check. Next, find the perfect spot to bounce Lizard into the drink. Check, check. Perfect angle".
Eddie's screams were heard as the boy was chased by the Lizard.
"And now for the crucial element of surprise".
The Lizard swinged his tail, hitting spiderman to the ground before grabbing him again and throwing him onto the safety bar, making Spider-Man hurt his back. The lizard grabs Spider-Man by his face and picked him up.
"Dad, stop! You don't have to be a lizard". - Billy tried to reach to his father.
Lizard threw down Spider-Man, making him grunt in pain. Lizard then picked up Billy with his tail.
"You're still my dad".
Lizard opened his mouth to go in for the kill but Spider-Man webbed his snout, making Lizard drop Billy, and pulled him into the pool and fell in with him.
"Did you skateboard here?" - Eddie scolded the boy.
"I took a cab, duh." - Billy answered.
Billy and Eddie could only watch as Spider-Man and the Lizard fought. Spider-Man sees Billy's skateboard and realized that he can use that to open the Lizards mouth.
"Brought you a present, Lizzie. Gene cleanser. Guaranteed to remove your toughest stains". - Peter said as he poured the liquid into Curt's mouth. - " Grease, mustard, even lizard DNA.
"And here he goes again with another stupid joke". - Sally groaned as the others chuckled a little.
Liz just chuckled at her best friend's antics.
Lizard stood back up and continued hitting spiderman till he laid on the ground in pain. The Lizard started screaming in pain as he changed back to Curt Connors. What no one saw was the camera that flashed after that moment. Scene changed to next morning as Eddie stormed into the lab and threw down the paper with the front picture being Spider-Man fighting the Lizard.
"Pictures and everything".
"But who could've taken these?" - Martha asked Eddie.
"Check the byline". - Eddie pointed at the name.
Martha looked and saw that the photos were taken by Peter Parker.
"Did you see? There's no shots of Billy or Dr. Connors to prove that he was the Lizard". - Peter tried to defend himself.
"And that's supposed to... Bro, you ditched the antidote effort to win a contest". - Eddie was mad at his friend.
"Eddie, it's all right. Besides, I'm not exactly in a position to throw stones". - Curt got up and walked away.
"Peter, you're young. And faced with difficult choices young people sometimes make mistakes". - Martha started.
"Thanks for understanding, I..." - Peter couldn't finish his sentence.
"I understand you. But I can't trust you. You're fired". - Martha cut Peter off.
Peter turned towards Gwen and Eddie for support but was saddened when they glared at him before turning and walking away. Peter allowed a brief look of anger and rage flow across his face before he turned and walked away, but before he left, he turned and saw three vials of gene cleanser on the desk. Peter walked out the door before making his way to the roof and webbing up one of the vials.
May spun around and glared at Gwen and Martha in anger. - "He didn't leave you! He saved you and everyone else! So, what if it was a picture, Peter kept names out of it!"
"Dear, let's calm down. They didn't know that he was Spider-Man at the time". - Ben reasoned with his wife. - "But I'm sure that Peter deserved a second chance, that you weren't willing to give to him."
"I know... I'll try to make it up to him, when we'll return to our world". - Martha said while looking at the floor, not being able to look in the eyes of Peter's aunt and uncle.
Scene changed to the night as Peter climbed into his window and ripped off his mask.
'I never asked to be Spider-Man. And I never asked for these powers. I never knew it would mean a bashed-up hand, hard 9 p.m. curfew, no job and friends who all think I'm scum'. - Peter reached behind him and grabbed the vial with gene cleanser. - ' It was all just a twist of fate. Bad luck. A random bug bite'. - the teen pulled the cork off and bring vial to his mouth. - ' Easiest decision I ever made'.
"Petey, no!" - Liz cried, seeing the vial.
"Don't do it, man, we will work it out". - Rand yelled at the screen.
'Except... Except I saved them'. - Peter stopped and grabbed picture of him and Uncle Ben.
Scene changed to the end of the fight as Dr. Connors hugged Billy and his wife.
'Spider-Man's no magic wand, but thanks to the web-head Curt's cured, and Billy gets his father back. So, what if nobody threw a parade? Spidey stays because Spidey's needed. For now, anyway'. - Peter webbed the vial under his desk.
Scene changed and ended with Spiderman on a skyscraper overlooking the city.
"Thank you, Ben. Thank you." - May whispered as Anne hugged her.
"I did nothing, it's Peter's determination to save others, that made him to rethink this decision". - answered Ben, being very proud of his nephew. - "And I sure hope he'll regain his resolve and come back to being Spider-Man."
"Well, that will be all for today." - said Croakus before teleporting everyone back.