Peter was getting manhandled. The accumulated injuries over the years, a lack of practice, and the seemingly unbound thirst for violence from the monster before him all combined to make a horrendous combination.
Blood dripped from his chest, his left arm hung limp at his side, a huge scar running down it and his Achilles had definitely seen better days.
But still he held on. He had to.
Streaks of debris shot through the air at astounding speeds, crashing against the wall as he expertly weaved his way through the hail of debris. The monster was toying with him. It knew it had him on the backfoot, that he was injured, and it was enjoying this little hunt. Peter came to a stop and looked up to see a large hunk of metal and rock fly at him. He leapt to the side, firing a web to pull himself away. And then the monster was on top of him, without a moments reprieve. He dodged a vicious blow aimed for his head that struck the wall behind him and stuck fast, the creatures arm embedded in the concrete. A chance.
He dived forwards, slamming the monster with an elbow across the head as it tried to grab him, before kicking it hard in the face. It roared as it fell backwards, scrambling to grab onto the wall. Peter let out a breath, taking the chance to compose himself. Mistake.
His spider sense roared, catching him off guard and the monster lunged at him seemingly without a foothold. It catapulted upwards, baring it’s fangs, having thrown itself upwards with tendrils of goo. Shit, this was going to hurt.
Suddenly, a figure slammed into its back, crushing it against the wall with enough force that their feet sunk into the goo. Jess. She pulled herself back out of the monster before it fell and landed on the wall beneath him. Instantly she clutched her shoulder, wincing, before quickly calming herself.
“You’re hurt dammit! What’re you doing?!” Peter cried.
“No thank you?”
“Sorry. And thanks. But seriously, get out of here, I don’t want you getting hurt”
“The chambers still working” she said, pointing out across the wreckage. His gaze followed hers, settling on a glass tube that half jutted out of the ground.
“Otto got it up and running with an emergency switch we just have to-”
Her eyes went wide and both their spider senses buzzed. They dived out the way of a large chunk of concrete. They landed again, this time side by side. The monster was nowhere in sight. Peter surveyed the situation, before turning to Jess.
“Are you sure it works?”
“As sure as Otto is”
“You steer clear, I’ll get this thing in its cage the-”
A piece of debris slammed into him, his spider-sense warning him too late and he fell from the wall. The screech of the monster echoed in his ears, but it was met with another shout, and the rumble of shaking earth.
He crashed to the floor, pain washing over him. He let out a gasp, rolling onto his front. Thank god he hadn’t been higher. He didn’t exactly understand it, but sometimes the beast was able to conceal it’s attacks by coating stuff it it’s weird go. It was aware of spider-sense and was somehow, actively trying to counter it.
That was getting pretty annoying.
“Peter!” Jess cried. He took in the pain, then - slowly - forced himself. He glanced up at Jess. She battled against the monster, it’s attacks blowing chunks of the wall to smithereens. He shook his head. It’d just be better if he worked with her, even if she was injured. That way they both had less chance of dying. With it’s back turned to him, Peter stood tall, and grabbed a huge chunk of rubble off the ground. He threw it at the beast, and it shattered against the back of its head. The monster turned screeching at him loudly.
“I’m over here you idiot” he called out. The demon lunged at him, but he was a step ahead, already swinging away. It chased, leaping from pillar to pile within the wreckage before another piece of concrete slammed it in the back of the head. This one from Jess. She landed next to Peter, and they gave each other a nod, as the monster shrieked at them. Then they leapt into action.
Together they weaved a tapestry of web, swinging through the wreckage like practiced partners in battle. The symbiote fruitlessly chased both of them in bursts whilst being hit with quick, and sharp blows from seemingly nowhere by the odd attack. Its frustration grew alongside it’s agony, until finally it found itself with a prize. It held Peter to the floor as he kicked about uselessly, trying desperately to escape. But the monster was done with games. It had seen the echoes of defeat for mere moments, and it wanted to be done with this fight.
“DIE!!”
Jess slammed into it, and it went flying, crashing against the side of the chamber before falling inside.
“Otto!” Peter and Jess roared. Otto pulled the lever, closing the chamber completely as they all breathed sighs of relief.
But Peter stood quickly.
“It’s not over. We still have to get the kid to a hospital. Do it now, Otto release the positive energy and then open it up” he said. He watched the chamber intently, mentally readying himself. Instead of the flash of light they’d been expecting they heard a crushing sound from the wall. They both turned to see the emergency control panel a mess of wires and metal under Otto’s fist.
“You think I’d let you destroy it?! The key to furthering stabilised negative energy research beyond simply luck!” Otto shouted.
“You bastard!”
“It’s better this way. We both win. Your little friend will probably heal from the finer parts of brain damage in a month and the symbiote lives on.”
“You fucking asshole!” Jess shouted “You did this for yourself”
“Swear at me all you want. You’ll understand what I did here o-“
Suddenly the sound of glass cracking silenced them. They turned to see Venom slamming against the glass with all his might, the glass cracking.
“Oh my god” Otto mumbled, staring at the glass as the fine cracks began to spread. He fell to his knees, trembling.
“Great, now we can’t separate it from him and it’s gonna break out” Jess said.
“How can it… it shouldn’t be able to break the glass through brute force. It shouldn’t be that powerful” Otto muttered.
“Get a grip dammit! How do we stop it?!” Peter said, grabbing Otto.
“I… I don’t know”
“There has to be a way. There must be some way to get the positive energy to it right? Right?”
“I don’t even know if it would work. I mean the explosion didn’t even destroy the chamber” Otto said, clutching his hand to his mouth. “Was it strengthened by the blast? But I… how?”
“Dammit Otto! Where do you keep the positive energy generator?!”
“Beneath the chamber. But the control panel’s broken. You won’t be able to turn it on or discharge it” he mumbled. “The Vanguard. We need to get the Vanguard.”
Peter rushed over to the mess that was the control panel then cursed.
“Peter” Jess shouted. He glanced to her. She was pulling at the concrete around the switch Otto had just broken. Peter rushed over to her, and together they ripped it off the wall. Beneath was a series of sparking wires. He looked among them frantically before cursing, grabbing colour wire pairs, tapping the metal together. He ignored the shocks as his spider sense buzzed with every new wire. Lights flickered, the chamber began glowing, and then finally what sounded like a plane right before take-off began to echo beneath the chamber.
They both looked back and stared at it.
“Otto?!” Jess cried.
“T-that’s it! Find the discharge button! Find it!!”
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Peter looked through the messy array of wires, then back at the cracking glass. The monster was nearly through. There wasn’t enough time.
“It works like negative energy right?”
“What? Peter what’re you doing?!”
“It works like negative energy right!?”
“Y-yes”
“Then I just have to slam him into it hard enough” Peter said, looking at the monster.
“What?! Peter without the glass, the resulting mixture of the symbiote and positive energy would create an implosion that might have enough force to kill even you!”
“An implosion!? What about the host?!”
Otto made a face. Shit. He’d never intended to destroy the symbiote, but the second he’d realised he couldn’t control it anymore he’d been willing to kill the kid along with it.
Peter ignored the intense reminder of his feelings of disgust for Otto. It didn’t matter right now, he had to save the kid. He could work with this. He just had to hit the symbiote hard enough – like Jess had - get his hand inside the mess and pull the kid out as the symbiote imploded. He could shield him from anything else that happened.
“Jess! Take Otto, and get as far away from here as you can”
“What?!”
“You can come back for us once the smoke clears. It’s ok”
“You can’t do this on your own!”
“I won’t be. If things go how I think they will, I’m counting on you to save us. I probably won’t be in any state to move”
She looked at him with a mixture of concern and apprehension, but nodded, before rushing off with Otto.
“Peter this is suicide!” Otto cried. Peter ignored him and turned back to the chamber. He cursed, before firing webs, and pulling himself upwards. He landed on the ceiling above and readied himself, his legs trembling with power. He drew out long lines of web, wrapping them around his body and legs. It’d be like a bungee. He’d dive down and as the cylinder shattered, with enough force to stab into the creature, he’d pull the kid out, and then the webs would pull them back. It was as good a plan as any.
He let out a breath, his hands shaking with nerves. He only had one shot. He quieted his mind, focusing.
And then the glass shattered. He dived downwards with as much force as he could muster, the air buffeting against him. The monster screeched, and then he slammed into it, his hands and face penetrating the exterior. He reached, grabbing a hold of an arm and began pulling backwards. But the monsters goo shot out with a speed, grabbing a hold of him his arms and face, as he pulled half the kids body free. It held him down as the webs pulled upwards, dragging him towards it’s centre of mass.
Together they crashed into the generator. For a singular silent moment nothing happened, the three of them dangling in mid-air, in a mess of the monster’s viscous black goo. Peter suddenly felt an incredible power as thousands of alien thoughts of hatred and revenge washed over him. He just had enough time to register the symbiote was attempting to bond with him. And then everything went white.
----------------------------------------
I blinked. For a second, it hadn’t been winning. For a moment it hadn’t had complete control. Someone had grabbed me, and things had shifted. In the desperate tug of war that seemed to last forever had finally, even if just for a moment, had been in my favour.
I blinked again, this time opening my eyes completely. I was in a white expanse. I sat up and looked around. Nothing but white. And a guy next to me. I glanced down at him. It was Spider-Man. Or Peter. He wasn’t wearing his mask. He lay on the ground, snoring peacefully. I looked around again confused. What was happening? Where even was I? Why was Peter here all of a sudden?
I poked him but he continued sleeping. I shrugged. It’d probably be better to just leave him be. I looked up, then looked down at my hands, flexing my fingers. I couldn’t feel whatever the hell that thing was controlling me anymore. Was that a good thing? It felt like one. Hopefully it was.
The snoring came to an abrupt stop, and I turned to see Peter sitting up blinking sleep out of his eyes. His brows furrowed as he looked around, then looked up at me.
“Yu?”
“Uh, hi? Are you real?”
“Yeah” he said. Then he looked around, baffled. “What the hell? Where are we?”
“I don’t know. It feels like I’m under control of that thing but… different I guess?”
He’s frown remained as he stood, looking around.
“Is that a mouse?” he said. I glanced over and frowned. A small blob of white skittered across the ground away from us.
“I- yeah, I think so. Weird” I responded. We both turned to each other and laughed.
“You think we’re inside the symbiote, but it doesn’t have control of us?” he asked.
“I don’t know” I said, sheepishly.
“It’s fine. I’m just glad you’re ok.”
“Thanks”
“Sorry about back on the building. I wasn’t thinking properly. I should’ve listened to you.”
“It’s fine. Everyone lets emotion get in the way sometimes”
“Yeah. But if I hadn’t we wouldn’t even have to be here. In this weird… symbiote limbo?”
“Symbiote?”
“It’s what took control of you”
“Oh. Sounds gross”
“Yeah, it looks gross too”
We both laughed again, before I went silent, looking around.
“I think the limbo thing feels about right. Yeah. I… it feels like how it was before, but the other thing… the symbiote isn’t here. I guess that means it’s trying to decide which one of us is in control?”
I looked around the space and then waved his hand out. The white expanse seemed to bend, curving into and around my fingers. I flexed my fingers and focused on the effect, the focus amplifying it slightly.
“I don’t know why, but I think I’m in control or something. At least partially” I said. Peter seemed to bristle for a moment.
“I-I’ll take control. Hopefully I can force you out, and get this thing under control. Doc said it’d be easier for someone with powers like me” Peter said.
“Oh, ok” Yu went to give him control before pausing. “Why?”
“What?”
“Why’d you want to force me out?”
“I… this thing’s about to implode Yu”
“Implode? Wouldn’t that kill you?!” I said alarmed.
“I’d have a better chance”
“Better chance?! So you could die too? I don’t want to risk that”
“I can’t just let you die Yu. Please just give me control”
“Isn’t there another way? Can’t we just both force ourselves out or something?”
“I think if we both try to leave, the symbiote will try to latch onto one of us. It’s what happened when I tried to pull you free. I’m not leaving this up to chance”
“You don’t know what’ll happen”
“You don’t either” he said, his face neutral. I stared at him blankly.
“No”
“Yu-”
“I can’t just… let you die for me. Your Spider-Man”
“Yu that doesn’t matter”
“Of course it matters”
“You’ve saved lives”
“Seven maybe. You’ve literally saved tens of thousands, maybe even more indirectly. You’re worth thousands of me”
His face contorted with discomfort, before he let out a breath and looked into my eyes.
“I’ll be fine Yu. I promise”
I looked to the floor. This whole situation was crazy. Insane. I didn’t know what to do or say. But I needed to say something, anything to convince him.
“When Jess first showed me what you looked like, I was kind of disappointed”
“Huh?”
“Sorry, that came out wrong. You… weren’t what I was expecting. You were just some guy. Not like Icon, or Pride. Just a normal guy”
“Well… yeah”
We stood in silence for a few more seconds.
“Yu-”
“But when I think about it, it’s kind of cooler isn’t it? That a normal guy could be amazing, could be Spider-Man. I mean I thought you were cool before, but now you’re kind of cooler”
“Yu, the praise means the world to me, but we might not have time. You have to give me control”
Crap, it wasn’t working. I needed something else.
“W-why’d you quit?” I asked.
“What?” he responded taken aback.
“Why’d you quit?”
“Yu don’t-”
“Answer me. Please”
He let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I didn’t. I’m sorry if you thought I did. I just… things piled up. Injuries. Other problems. Life. I started taking breaks and they got longer and longer. Geez this time last year I was ready to take on the world” he mumbled.
“You’re Spider-Man dammit. If you needed a break, if you needed help, all you’d have to do is ask”
“W-what?”
“The people of New York would’ve tried to help you in any way possible”
“I- I don’t-”
“I know you tell everyone not to risk it since you and Might protect the city, but Might hasn’t been here in years. I mean, there’s got to be other metahumans out there who look up to you. Who would’ve gone around helping people like I did”
“That was stupid. You don’t have any powers and you’re only a kid”
“I know it was stupid but I… Do you know how it felt when I went out in costume for the first time? Do you know how excited everyone was to see Spider-Man again?”
“I- I’m sorry I you had to take on that responsibility. I shouldn’t ha-”
“You don’t have to be sorry. I choose to put on the suit”
“And now I’m giving you a chance to take it off. To go back home to family”
I faltered slightly, words escaping me. Then I clenched my fists.
“Why? Why would you die for just me?”
“I- just don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me again”
“Don’t you think your death would hurt people more than just some random kid!? I mean I have control right now. I could force you out, get this over with. Tell me why I shouldn’t end this?”
“Yu don’t”
I felt a wave of determination wash over me.
“You’ve saved so many people. You even saved me. So now, even if you don’t want me to, I’m going to save you”
“Wait! Yu, don’t do this. I don’t want you to die”
“Come on man. I should’ve died already. I mean, I got shot twice today”
“Yu! Please! I messed this one up. I should’ve listened I- just please. I can still help you”
Just promise me you won’t quit again. And if you ever need help, just ask”
“Yu! Don’t do this” he said inching closer. I smiled at him.
“I’ve got this one Pete”
He reached out for me, but it was too late. I assumed control, forcing him out. An incredible pressure washed over me, overwhelming me, crushing me. It felt like being born again. Like opening your eyes for the first time. I could feel everything. The wind, the sounds of voices, the faint sound of humming from the kitchen. They all sounded so far away, and yet so close.
It was like I was just waking. Or going to sleep. A fresh feeling then darkness. Flickers of light, between wisps of darkness. Bright rays of sun filtered through a grain. Like watching someone show you damaged film of the sun. Faded, grainy, and intermittent but there. But the flashes of darkness slowly grew, engulfing the light. Not the terrifying kind, but the gentle darkness. The darkness behind your eyes. The kind that gently pulls you to sleep.
Suddenly I opened my eyes, gasping for air. Blue stared back at me. Clouds drifted lazily along the expanse of blue. I was looking at the sky. I blinked, groaning as I sat up looking around. I was surrounded by rubble, and dust. What’d just happened? I’d been talking to mum and then… all the memories flooded back and my eyes widened. I was alive. I was still alive. Wait, what about Peter? I looked around, before spotting him nearby, trapped under some rubble. I rushed over quickly, cursing. He didn’t look good. And there was way too much rubble. Way too much. I wouldn’t be able to lift it.
“H-help!” I shouted looking up. I looked around the destruction around me.
“Jess?! Someone?! Anyone?! I need help!” I shouted. No answer. I could only hear sirens in the distance. Dammit! Shit! I grabbed a handhold, hefting at the weight pointlessly.
It lifted off of him with an ease in my arms and he rolled over, coughing. I’d lifted it. I’d lifted it off him. I shouldn’t have been able to do that. Surprised I dropped the rubble surprised and looked to my hands. I still wore the Spider-Man costume, but different. The red and blue replaced now, by separate textures of black. The new costume just felt like part of me. It made me feel… strong. Really strong.
Holy shit.
I heard the sound of rubble shifting behind me. I turned back to see Jess standing on a pile of debris, the Dr standing slightly behind her. His eyes were wide.
“Yu?” she said, her eyes sparkling with tears.
“Yeah. I don’t know what happened I just…” suddenly I stumbled, stars blinking across my vision.
“Yu?!” Jess cried, rushing forwards, to catch me.
“Woah. I just got… really tired” I mumbled, leaning on her for support.
“It’s ok, just don’t close your eyes” Jess said. But it was too late. My eyes closed, and I drifted peacefully off to sleep.