Sinister Year

"This isn't up for debate!" 

Harry held in his anger, barely. "Dad, I don't need an escort to school! I go there with a superhero for God's sake!"

"Stop!" Norman slammed his fist down. "Harry, this is how things are going to be. End of discussion."

"Fine." Harry growled and stormed out the room.

Like it or not, at least you'll be safe. 

Norman sighed. "Please take a seat."

The white-haired woman moved from the corner and sat across from him. "My men are the best. Your son will be safe." 

"Good."

"I'm placing myself as your personal guard."

"Very good, Ms. Sable."

"Just Silver." The woman replied. "Is there anything else you can tell me about this threat you believe?"

"Not enough to actually do anything about. It was only implied but I won't be taking any chances."

"Of course." Silver nodded. "This Spider-Man… he goes to school with your son. Does it involve him?"

"Not to my knowledge. I actually prefer to keep any involvement with him, in this regard, separate."

"I'll still keep an eye on him. For security reasons." She decided. 

"Try not to be too obvious. He's not a threat." I hope he can become an asset.

"Everyone is a treat. Never underestimate a person. Heroes are just as dangerous, if not more, as you might think."

"He's not Stark but I'll defer to your judgment on this."

"Peter?" May stepped into the main living room.

"Auntie May, quick! The floor!" Morgan shouted.

She looked up and found Peter stuck to the ceiling, nothing unusual there, but swinging from him in a net was Morgan giggling.

"The floor’s lava, May." Peter explained.

"Too late, she's dead." Tony said from the side where he was floating in Iron boots.

"Tell Mommy before she comes in!!"

"Floor’s back to normal." Pepper announced as she came in. "Tony, Fury is calling again."

"Should drop him into an actual lava pit." Tony groaned as he lowered himself to the ground.

"Peter, you're going to be late to school." May said.

"But it's only..." He saw the time. "Crap!" He flipped down, making Morgan squeak. "Sorry Morgan, gotta go."

"Aw."  She pouted.

"Well play more later. Promise." He pulled the net off of her.

"Have fun at school, Petey." She hugged his legs.

Peter hugged her back before running to his room to grab his bag and keys.

"Bye, May, Tony, Pepper!" He ran back down to the elevator. 

"Should I just build a jetpack in his suit? Faster than the car." Tony considered.

"You mean you didn't put one in the car?" Pepper raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, right."

"What?!" May looked at him.

"Not a full one. Just in case he needs a quick exit. Karen has it under control."

May shook her head and went back to her room. She had a busy day with Pepper ahead, helping her set up everything with Peter's business plan.

"I may have added some others but what she doesn't know won't hurt her." Tony whispered to Morgan, who laughed back.

"Tony. Fury." The redhead reminded him.

"Freaking alien invasion." He muttered out the door.

"Aliens?" Morgan looked at Pepper.

"Business as usual for your father. Don’t worry about it." She patted her daughter’s head.

Only Morgan Stark could really call that a normal day. Her Daddy was Ironman, after all.

Peter and Michelle pulled up to school. She noticed the black SUV dropping off Harry.

"That's new." Michelle pointed out the security.

"Maybe the mayor is being extra safe with his son?" Peter shrugged.

"They don't look like regular security. They look like a mercenary group."

Peter saw it too. The guy outside the SUV wasn't looking everywhere but he saw one on the other side staring right at his car. Even through the suits, Peter could tell they were heavily armed.

"I don't think they like me." He observed.

"Vigilante. Guess you might be on their list of possible threats."

"Or they hate red spandex?" 

"Sure." She smirked.

"Hey, Peter. Michelle." Harry greeted them as he rushed away from his babysitters.

"Hey Harry. New car? Did the intimidating guys come standard or did you have to pay extra?" Peter tried to joke.

"That's my father's paranoia." Harry growled. "I tried to explain that he didn't need to but he wouldn't listen. Not that he really explains anything to me. You think being in school with a superhero would be enough."

"Yeah, well… you heard about the library, right?" Peter rubbed the back of his head. "So I can see his point."

"Or guys with fish bowls for helmets." Michelle muttered.

"Oh, I got a new one." Peter said. "Guy with bulletproof skin. Met him last night."

"I'm going to make a list. 'Weirdos who want to hate guys in spandex.'" Michelle smirked.

"Get a lot of paper." Peter sighed. "Hey, you owe me twenty bucks. I didn't fight an octopus guy." He remembered.

"Put it on a tab." She went in.

Peter rolled his eyes and Harry laughed at him. As they started in, Peter saw the security guy was still eying him.

For once, I hope he just wants an autograph. 

Tony met Fury in a hologram. Waiting next to him, Danvers in hers.

"Well, anything new to report?" Tony took a seat.

"Met with a new candidate for the team, has some fancy rings." Danvers revealed.

"Rings? Ah what the hell, Thanos had stones." Tony shrugged. "How are we doing with the Skrulls?"

"Rogers, Barnes, and Wilson are reporting in on several targets they are watching. We're going to need to begin the operation soon, Stark." Fury warned.

"After Saturday. I'm not missing Peter's birthday." Tony replied.

"Stark..."

"After!" Tony laid his foot down. "Are we sure New York is clear for them?"

"Talos hasn't found any and doesn't have any reports on any in the city." Danvers answered.

Well, at least I'll leave the kid without any alien issues. "Alright, I'll be ready to fly out Sunday. Peace out." Tony turned off the comlink. "I'm getting too old for this." he groaned.

"So… anything I should be prepared for tonight?" Peter asked as they sat in their class.

"Questions." Michelle said vaguely.

"Anything more helpful?" He tried again.

"Just be your usual dork self but not too dorky. I do have a reputation to protect. Oh, don't wear any prototype arms. I don't want to break our lease because you blasted a hole through a wall."

"Okay there are so many insults in that." Peter chuckled. "One. I am a nerd, yes but you love me that way. Don't try to deny it. Two, I never leave the Tower with an arm that hasn't been tested."

"Thankfully. I've seen your testing process." She squeezed his hand. "But seriously, just be you. That's more than enough."

"Aw, thanks." He smiled back at her.

That stupid smile will be the end of me, I freaking know it. Michelle thought. "Try not to be too late."

"I'm not always late." He mumbled.

"Name one time and I'll do that thing you like one night." She challenged with a whisper as she took her seat.

"I can't! Not off the top of my head." Peter desperately racked his mind as she looked at him. "Crap!" Realizing he really was late all the time.

She smirked and looked at the teacher as she began.

Parker, you have got to get better at managing your time. That is a hell of a motivation!

Contrary to his past experiences, Peter was actually running ahead of time for once!

The dinner was in half an hour and he was already in the area. 

Okay, I'll swing around and look for some small crimes, then change quickly. Be at the door right at seven. For once Parker, you are ready and you'll surprise MJ.

As he landed on a roof, he saw a man down below selling flowers.

"Perfect." Peter jumped down. He didn't intend to startle the man when he landed but he did. "Sorry. What do you recommend for dinner with your girlfriend's mom?"

The white-haired man regained his composure and adjusted his large glasses. "Sorry, Spider-Man. You surprised me. Your girl, you say?" He grabbed a fresh bouquet of lilies. "These might do the trick for you, Sonny."

"They look great." Peter grinned under the mask but then he remembered his lack of wallet. "Oh… is there a chance you will take an I.O.U.? I don't carry a wallet. No room in the suit." He explained.

"20 bucks or the mask." The man's mustache smirked as Peter's white eyes went wide. "Just kidding. I know you're good for it." He handed the flowers over. "Just don't forget about it."

"Thanks..." Peter took the bouquet and saw the name on the cart. "Stan." 

"You're welcome, superhero." 

Peter jumped back up and swung off. He stopped on another roof and looked around. He still had time for any small business.

A few minutes of watching and he saw his opportunity. A guy was riding a bike and the one chasing him was shouting that he stole it.

"Simple enough." 

He laid the flowers down and jumped. Soon, the bike thief was struggling to get out of the webbing as he was swinging above the street. Peter gave the bike back to the owner, who thanked him.

He swung back up to grab the bouquet but when he returned, the flowers were gone.

"What? I swore I left them here." 

"You did, Peter." Karen confirmed.

"You're fun to watch." A voice said behind him.

Peter turned and came face to face with Felicia.

"Woah." He stepped back. "How did you do that?"

"I'm quiet." She smirked. 

"Terrifyingly." Then he remembered he was talking to a thief. "Hold it. You handcuffed me and stole those things."

"Please, the cuffs were just for a laugh. Like you didn't break them easily. As far as the things I took, a girl's got to shop."

"What is your deal? You're strange."

"Better than being boring." She sat on the edge. "Come on, Spider. Don't you wonder what it would be like to just swing into the night? No worries. Doing anything that makes you smile?"

"I am smiling. You just can't see it under the mask." 

"Smiling over the lucky girl who gets these?" Felicia pulled the bouquet from behind her back.

"Hey." Peter reached for them but she backed up out of reach. "Give them back."

"These are for your 'MJ', right? I've read about her. Like I said, one lucky girl." She sniffed the flowers.

"Yes, they're for her. Now please give them back."

"How bad do you want them?" Felicia jumped off the roof with his flowers still in hand.

"Damnit!" He took off after her.

Once again, Peter found himself chasing the girl. 

Felicia always managed to stay ahead of him and it was both infuriating and shocking. He considered himself the king of swinging around New York but she was really good.

He finally cornered her at the edge of the roof. She turned to him as he landed.

"Give me back the flowers." Peter said again.

"Take off your mask." She ordered as she held the bouquet over the edge.

"Why?"

"I want to see how you look up close."

"Got a thing for scars?" He mocked lightly.

"On the right person." She teased.

Peter could try to web back the flowers but didn't want to explain to MJ why they were stuck together. With a sigh, he pulled off his mask.

"You're a baby." Felicia teased.

"You're only three years older than me. Felica Hardy." He glared.

"So you've done some research." She noted with a smirk.

"Yeah. People who handcuff me to a railing usually go to the top of my list to check out."

"Check out?"

"Not like that!" He said quickly.

"Hmm. Up close, I can see one of your eyes is different."

"It's a robot eye. Got it from a god. Who got it from a talking raccoon." He rambled. Why am I telling her this? 

"Really?" She raised her eyebrows. "Interesting. And this arm..." She motioned to his left. "Do you have any idea how much I could get just for it?"

"Sorry, it's sorta attached to me." 

"With you? I could retire." She pulled the flowers back. "Savior of the Universe. Priceless."

"So you're a thief and a kidnapper?" 

"Just teasing you, Spider." She shrugged "Here." She handed back the flowers.

Peter looked hesitant but took them. 

Then Felicia grabbed his arm and he was pulled into her. Her lips crashing into his.

Stunned completely, Peter didn't know how to react. But for some reason, he kissed her back. Until he realized what he was doing.

"What… Why did you kiss me?" He pulled back.

"Why did you kiss back?" She asked. 

He didn't get to reply because she jumped off the roof and disappeared.

Peter stood there stunned for several minutes. Until he found his voice. "What the hell just happened?" 

"Peter, your dinner with MJ." Karen reminded him. 

Peter pulled out his phone to see the time. "Shit!" 

As he took off frantically, Felicia slipped out the apartment window they stopped on. She turned the camera on the roof back on with her phone as he hopped away.

"You're fun, Spider." She twirled the key from the safe she just picked. That and several of the other things in it. "One down. Three to go." Felicia pulled out her grapple before breaking the glass.

The alarm went off as she swung away. 

Several long minutes later, Peter landed outside MJ’s apartment on the roof. He threw off his suit and put on his civilian clothes before rushing down the stairs and knocking on the door.

Michelle opened it at the third knock. "You're late."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Why are you so winded?"

"Swung half the city and back in six minutes. Then changed and sprinted here."

She eyed him but was suddenly surprised with a bouquet-thing of flowers pulled out from behind his back. It was clearly missing some.

"There were more, but flowers aren't meant for swinging." He stammered.

His dorky face made her smile. She took them and stepped aside so he could enter.

"Nice to meet you. Spider-Man." 

Peter saw the older woman that was coming down the hall. She was definitely Michelle's mom. They looked a lot alike.

"Mice to… I mean nice to meet you too, Mrs. Jones." Peter held out his hand. Smooth, Parker.

"Nice flowers." She said as she shook his offered hand. "I'm glad you could finally make it over. Michelle was very reluctant to have this."

"Mama, I wasn't reluctant." Michelle groaned. "I just didn't know how to have my celebrity/superhero boyfriend over dinner."

"Right." The older woman raised her eyebrow at her. "Well, come on. The food is getting cold.

Peter rushed over and pulled out both chairs for the two.

"A gentleman." 

"Suck-up." Michelle said as she sat.

"Well. Yeah." He replied as he sat next to her.

It wasn't as bad as either of them feared. They sat and ate while making small talk. Mrs. Jones mainly just stuck with the basics of questions. Nothing about being Spider-Man yet.

"This is delicious, Mrs. Jones." Peter complimented.

“You can thank Michelle for that. She might not like to brag but she is a very skilled chef." She teased her daughter.

"I just threw some things together." Michelle had a small blush.

"Late nights at the hospital means I don't get a lot of time to cook." Her mother continued. "I'm pretty sure she has read every cookbook at that library she's always at."

"I didn't know that." Peter smiled at Michelle, who just looked down.

"Another thing all the time at work has shown me is a fair number of people you put there." 

Peter went wide-eyed. "I… I try not to but sometimes they're very determined to put me there instead."

"Had one guy with a concussion from headbutting your arm."

"Oh… I remember that." Peter rubbed the back of his head. "To be fair, he was aiming at my head and my arm intercepted it."

"Have to ask. How is life being the Savior of the Universe?"

"Mama. I told you he hates that title."

"I got to ask." Mrs. Jones shrugged.

"I… It's different." Peter admitted. "I never wanted to be anything like that. I just wanted to help the little guy. Then Thanos happened and everything just went out of control."

"Then why did you pull a Tony Stark and reveal yourself?"

"I didn't have much of a choice." Peter sighed. "Beck ruined any chance I had of hiding behind the mask when he outed me. When I was standing up there, I just heard this voice," He glanced at Michelle. "Telling me that I had to make a decision. One on my terms. So I did."

"Do you regret it?" 

"Yes and no." He said honestly. "Sometimes, it's overwhelming but other times, it's… well, I get fan mail all the time and I read about these kids that look up to me. I think in the end if I was given a chance to do it again, I would."

Mrs. Jones gave him a nod of understanding.

"Being Spider-Man must have its perks." She sipped her tea.

"I try not to take advantage of my powers." Peter said meekly.

"How about all the times you've snuck into Michelle's bedroom?"

Both Peter and Michelle went very white.

"I… I…"

"Mama, that's not..." Michelle was desperately trying to come up with an excuse.

"Don't try to lie. Who did you get your observant nature from?" She asked with a finger pointing at her.

Mayday, Parker! Alright, possible escape routes. The window is a classic.

"I'm not judging you two." Mrs. Jones explained. "Contrary to what you might think, I was your age once." She smirked. "But don't try to play me a fool about not knowing."

"I… wasn't, I just don't really know how to say anything that won't make me look like a complete idiot."

"Then don't say anything about it. I just wanted you to know that I know." She gave Peter a look that he actually felt his spidey senses respond to. Yeah, intimidating. Thanos wasn't as scary.

"So are you looking to go to MIT as well?" Mrs. Jones changed the subject.

Both Peter and Michelle felt very uncomfortable but were happy to have the conversation away from their late night exploits.

"Yes, ma'am. I already have the people who do admission calling. I'm pretty sure I could start tomorrow if I wanted to." Peter answered.

"You didn't tell me that." Michelle said.

"I didn't know for sure that they wanted me or Spider-Man." He explained. "Or if Tony made a call. I want to make sure I get in because of my grades."

"Given your grades, they would be stupid not to take you." She nodded back.

"Same for you or Ned."

"Any idea what your plans are after?" Mrs. Jones added.

"Actually, yes." Peter said with some enthusiasm. "I want to start a prosthetics company." He motioned to his arm. "I think this could be a big help to others."

Mrs. Jones saw the look of pride in Michelle's eyes at his statement. 

"That's a very smart and compassionate thing to do. I've seen several people that could definitely use something as advanced as that." She motioned to his arm.

"Me too. Some of the kids at the hospitals I visit gave me the idea. "

"For a celebrity, you have a big heart. I like it."

"I wish I wasn't one. Well, I don't mind Spider-Man being one but it would be an easier time if  Peter Parker wasn't. But like I said, I would do it again."

After dinner, Peter helped collect the plates and then was helping wash the dishes. He was told several times he didn't have to by Mrs. Jones but he didn't take no for an answer.

He rinsed them while Michelle dried.

Once the last one was washed, Mrs. Jones spoke to him.

"I need to have a word with you." She looked at Michelle. "Alone."

"Mama?" Michelle started but she was stopped by the single look her mother gave her.

In the living room, Peter was hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. He thought he had done a good job tonight. But that wasn't for him to decide.

"Mrs. Jones," Peter started.

"You're good for my daughter." 

"I'm sorry?" Peter was certain he had misheard her.

"She has come out of her shell ever since you two started dating. I know I haven't been there enough for her, and her father… I am happy to see her happy."

Peter felt some happiness of his own at her words. "MJ is one of my best friends and I truly care about her."

"I can tell. I want you to know you have my trust and respect. As long as she is happy and safe, I'm glad you two are together."

"Thank you. I won't misuse your trust with her."

"However, if another deranged person puts her at risk… I can't say my good mood will survive." She warned.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Good." She gave him a gentle smile. "Now let's see how badly she is trying to eavesdrop on us." Sure enough, Michelle was peaking around the corner of the kitchen. Mrs. Jones smirked at the sight. "It's been a pleasure to finally meet you, Peter." She said.

"You too. Thank you for having me over."

"I'll let you two have some time together." She dismissed herself.

"How bad?" Michelle asked immediately after her mother left them alone.

"Not bad at all. She seems to like me." Peter reassured her.

"Careful, she might be trying to get your guard down."

"I didn't get any dangerous vibes around her, if that helps."

Michelle let out a sigh of relief. Why she was so stressed about this annoyed her. She never really got close to people and one of the few who came over to her home was her boyfriend. 

It was just a little unnerving. 

"Good."

She walked him out and Peter stepped into the hallway with her.

"Hey. Something happened tonight. I was chasing that thief. The one who slipped by me last time."

"Catch her this time?"

"No. She's… I don't know. I think she is just doing all this for fun." Should I tell her she kissed me?

"What else? I can almost hear your brain moving."

"Well, you see… she stole the flowers and that's why I was late, I chased after her. It took a while but I finally cornered her on a roof..." Suddenly, his mobile police scanner was going off. "Come on!" Peter groaned.

"Go on. You can tell me later." Michelle waved him off.

"Love you." He kissed her and ran down the hall. Practically ripping his clothes off to change into his suit.

Michelle just shook her head and went back inside. Her mother was sitting at the counter with two cups of tea waiting.

"So about him sneaking into your room..."

Shit.

Peter swung faster. The assault was happening a few blocks away. Someone could be hurt and he had to hurry.

"Karen, any more from the scanner?"

"None, Peter. The scene seems to have gone quiet."

"That sounds bad." He doubled his speed.

The alley looked like a Battle Royale went down.

All he saw was people out cold. Some with broken bones and others with bloody faces. All alive but messed up.

"Woah. Who did all this?"

"Unknown." Karen replied.

"Just thinking out loud, Karen." Peter sighed. He examined the scene. One blood trail went up a nearby ladder to a fire escape. "Looks like someone got away. Any signs on the roof?"

"One signature. Alive but clearly injured." Karen scanned.

Peter hopped on the wall and climbed. He reached the roof and found the guy in the corner. Clearly terrified.

"Hey." Peter said calmly. The man looked like a gang member but was far from someone to be afraid of. "What happened down there?"

The frightened man suddenly looked past him and raised a shaking hand behind him. Peter turned around and saw someone else. He was standing above them on top of a doorway, facing down.

His suit was red and he had horns on his headpiece.

"Spider-Man." The devil greeted him.

Great... Peter thought.