Chapter 4: You're still alive?

An hour or so after escaping from the Prowler I finally come to a decision. Which is why right now I had some difficulty at opening the window of room while still having Peter on my shoulder. Causing more noises than I wanted when I arrived inside. And so obviously someone heard me.

"NYPD! Put your hands up-! Miles? Wh- why aren't you in sch-! Why are you holding someone cosplaying as Spider-Man? Miles what's going on?"

It was only when I heard those questions from my dad that I realized what a crazy day I went through. And after seeing my father again, my defenses broke. Running to him, and almost crying I started to talk with Peter on my arms.

"Dad, it's-it's Spider-Man! He's dead! He saved me and then...and then... Kingpin did it! The Prowler almost killed me! I didn't know what to do, but I didn't want them to do something to him! The Green Goblin died because of the explosion and... And Spider-Man is dead!!"

Finding someone with a familiar face was such a relief after almost dying six time in a night, that I couldn't help it. Fortunately I still remember Peter Warning and my knowledge on superheroing stuff and didn't tell him about my powers.

With my messy rambling about how the event went, my mother came to my room too. She didn't have the time to question who I was holding or what I was doing here that my father stopped me at my somewhat explanation. As he tried to understand what I just said.

"Wait, slow down Miles, slow down. You-... Are you telling me, that the dead man on your arms is Spider-Man? And he is dead?"

Apparently, I wasn't the only one astonished by the news because I even heard my mother shouting a "Dios mío" at it.

Seeing that my father understood I calm down a little, and nodded to him. But at the same time it makes him lost his voice to what he just learn. I mean imagine. You thought that you were going discipline your son because he didn't go to school, but you find him back with the body of a dead hero with him. I don't know for other fathers, but mine being policeman he didn't lose his composure for long, and immediately started to transform my room into his interrogation room.

"First thing first, what where you doing outside?"

For this I was already prepared.

"I was afraid of the earthquake so I wanted to go to uncle Aaron's place because it was nearby, but he wasn't there. So I used the underground tunnels I used to go with Phin because it was the quickest way to here. But then, I met the Green Goblin and Spider-Man fighting with each other."

Fortunately, uncle Aaron not being home is true, because he told me himself yesterday that he won't be here tonight. As for the tunnels, I noticed afterward, but they were indeed connected to the one from the subway.

I already thought of a believable story to sell to my dad, my only worry would be if he bought it. Because I myself didn't believe that I would've been afraid of earthquake, well not to that point. But fortunately he believed it.

I told the rest almost as it was, omitting of course my powers and the USB key. But in my haste in talking slip up on explaining the web-shooters. Fortunately I caught myself and told him that Peter gave it to me because he didn't want them to fall in wrong hands.

After finishing talking, a big silence followed between the three of us. I think that my parents had a hard time processing what I just told them. Which was actually understandable. I mean, you see your son skipping and prepare to punish him, only to learn that he had to survive an hour ago against Spider-Man rogue gallery! The fact that my mother didn't have a heart attack was commendable in itself.

"Miles, listen to me very carefully." As he regain his bearing my father put his hand on my shoulder as he talk to me with a dead serious attitude.

"Never, and I mean it, never talk to anyone about what happens. This is very important. If anyone happens to hear it, this time Spider-Man won't be here to save you, and I may not be able to do the same either."

"Jeff!" shout my mother outraged that he actually put some facts on the table.

"Honey, he need to know! He needs to be conscientious about it, if we don't want him to die!" replied my father with anger, but specially helplessness. He, who became a policeman to protect his family, but couldn't do it when the occasion really came. I don't how I would feel if I was in his shoes.

"Rio, he can't be put in protection program because Kingpin has moles inside the precinct. The only way for him to be safe is not to talk. I'll take care of Spider-Man's body and Kingpin myself." He explained to my mother softly before turning his head to me. "Do you understand Miles? No body can know."

Nodding my head I told him that I knew what was at stake (And I did knew, even more than him. If they knew who I was, they would kill me on the spot, because of my powers! Even if I didn't want to be a superhero they wouldn't necessarily believe it. Even more so when I just confront one of them and I saw them kill Spider-Man!)

After explaining some other things, my father took Peter's body before going out, leaving me alone to comfort my mother still a bit shocked that her son almost died.

"Don't worry ma, I won't leave you like that easily."

(well at least I hope I won't)

After calming down and keeping me company for a while, my mother left me alone seeing how tired I was ( Who wouldn't after living such a day?).

But unfortunately I didn't have the option to sleep just yet. While because of the Green Goblin the Colider was malfunctioning Kingpin wouldn't be able to turn it on immediately, I didn't know how much time I had until then. But realistically, I also couldn't just go there immediately because I didn't know how to control my powers. Last time I was lucky enough to escape successfully, but if I were to go there now, it was suicide.

But like I said earlier, I didn't know how much time I had left for until the Colider was repaired. So I didn't had the luxury to rest. I had to go there again to assess the damages and then take action in consequences.

Honestly speaking I still didn't want to do it, I even thought of a way to delegate those responsibilities to Ironman. But it didn't sit right with me. Someone you didn't know did everything he could to save you and your district, and just asked you to press a button to finish the job, and I just flee and tell someone who had nothing to do with it to do it? I just couldn't do it.

Firming my resolve, I started to search for my Spider-Man costume ( It was a 'gift' Phin bought for me at my last birthday as a joke) before going out.

After finding it I stare at the spider logo on it in daze thinking about the consequences if I put it.

'Just for this time Miles. New York still needs a Spider-Man to save it one last time, then you can return to your normal life!'

Even though this is what I tried to convince myself, I knew that after today nothing will ever be the same.

#####

Back to Kingpin's lair by returning from the same route two hours after getting out (because I still had to train my abilities on the road but I could barely use them. and I also had to find my old red boots and gloves, because the suit didn't really fit after today's growth spurt) I started to reassess my objectives before starting the mission.

Even though I said objectives, here, I only had one : discovering how long it would take to restore the Collider so that I can plan on it.

Surprisingly, even though I took the same path I escaped from, it wasn't under surveillance at all (Being a bit paranoid I still checked for cameras. Don't underestimate the speed it takes for villains to do things. In all those anime and movies its always seems like the villain can built anything in a second or be in another country under five minutes, but the MC always has to travel the earth for years before confronting the villain. And the most outrageous thing is that during that time the villain do nothing!).

But I suppose that they didn't expect me to return here so fast. Which was understandable, but frankly I'm a bit disappointed. It's like as if I was that soldier who finally decide to confront an army alone, but when he do come there's no army waiting for him.

But if I was honest, I think I was starting to like them for underestimating my boldness. I mean being able to enter into a top secret vilains lair for the second time easily because of their negligence? That's easy work, what's not to like?

And because of that I successfully came to the 'crime scene' without a hitch. I even luckily arrived the moment one of Kingpin's goons was giving his report to him.

"So, did you find him?" Kingpin asked calmly.

But this calm kingpin seems to put his subordinate on edge as he tries to find the best words to announce him the unfortunate news (for him obviously).

"Actually boss... We just can't find him. And honestly right now he might as well be home for all we know. Beside we've got a new problem."

Hearing those bad news, kingpin couldn't pretend to be calm anymore and grits through his teeth.

"Tell me what can be more problematic than someone who saw us kill spider-man and took the body with him?"

"Well..."

"What is it?!"

"The kid told the cops what happened and they're coming right now."

"What?!?"

'What??'

"They had Spider-Man's body checked and they already know he fought with someone extremely strong. And with the kid's tip they're all ready to come Boss."

Hearing that kind of news, I could see at Kingpin face how much it didn't please him. But I on the other hand didn't know how to react to that.

On one hand I was kind of proud of my father for his bravery to stand up and denounce THE Kingpin the moment he learn the truth, on the other hand (WHAT THE HELL DAD!!?! Do you have a Death wish or something??!!? WHAT ABOUT MOM?)

And as I predicted:

"Who... Who is that kid?" asked Fisk with dangerous eyes.

"We don't know Boss it wasn't one of our own who meet the kid but some lieutenant Davis or something. He didn't want to tell who the kid was to protect him."

Learning that nothing he wanted was done seems to push Kingpin over the edge. Seeing a broken pillar near him he punched it with all his strength to release his frustration.

"RHAAAAAGH"

CRAK

BOOM

His action, while destroying the pillar did nothing to his mood and was apparently determined to exact his revenge.

"Tombstone! Find that police guy and make him talk. I want that kid dead. Prowler, call Olivia. I want the collider repaired. She got 24 hours. And you, go and tell Scorpion to close every entrances to this laboratory, the police can't find it, do you understand?"

"Y-yes boss!" reply the cannon fodder fearfully.

With that, all of the people present start to scramble away in hurry while Wilson Fisk was walking back and forth in the middle of the rubble with a sour mood.

Having saw all I could without being caught and learning about my father impeding danger I also retreat in the direction of the subway underground tunnels in hurry while watching my surroundings.

Honestly speaking, after watching all those events chained one after the other in the bad way, I really wished that I wasn't involved in these things. But as if responding to my stress the energy in my body begun to stir to go out once again. But this time it felt a little different. Like it wasn't really the same electric like energy from before.

Without having the time to ponder on it, it force itself out without warning in the form of harmless red spark around me. But just as suddenly as it came, it went out just as quickly. Because of that, I just attributed this small outburst to the stress and quickly forgot about it.

Once inside the tunnels I didn't have any scruples anymore and start to sprint wildly to get to the precinct in time. While running, I suddenly felt that having spider-man powers for that kind of situation isn't bad at all. Because right now I could at least have a chance to save my dad.

But at the same time, I also thought about how shitty it was to have powers! I mean I had powers for a day and so much troubles fell in front of me! I watched spider-man die! Brooklyn will probably die, and now my father is also at risk of dying all because of me and Kingpin!

Conflict about my situation and really guilty, I finally arrived at the subway station. But strangely I didn't meet the usual citizens of New York, but cops. A lot of cops. Way too much ready and apparently waiting for something.

And while I didn't know what, I didn't have the time to ponder on it anyway because with the noise I was making while running, they directly spot me and point their guns at me.

"FREEZE!"

"DON'T MOVE!!"

"STO- Wait, is that someone disguise as spider-man?! You know your suit isn't your size right?"

"Peralta, I don't think it's the right moment, we don't know where he come from. And you, put your hand in the air!"

"D- don't shot! And for the info, the tailor shop was closed tonight and I had a tight schedule today." I replied with tiredness showing in my voice as I slowly spread my hand in evidence in front of me showing that I was harmless.

But while those policemen became less vigilant due to my young voice, they still didn't put their guns down. Honestly I didn't really have the time to try to appease them when I was running on clock but I didn't want to test if spider-man could dodge bullet either. So albeit recalcitrant and still while rolling my eyes, I tried to talk to them.

"Well, look guys, I didn't see anything and I don't know anything. I'm pretty sure I'm sure I'm just here at the wrong time, wrong moment! I don't even know why you're trying to block my way!

And while I don't know who you're looking for, I don't really think it's a dude disguised in a bad Spider-Man suit. But if it is I swear to you all, it's not me! So can't you just let me go? "

As you can see I'm reaaally bad at convincing, and they knew it too because the detective Peralta just made a 'poor little sad thing' face.

"Am I the only one thinking that we're stopping a pitiful kid who's not even involved in all that mess? I mean come on, I don't really think that Kingpin will send a kid disguised as Spider-Man to confront us."

While a little bit hurtful in his words detective Peralta's words did manage to make the rest of his team lower their guns.

Acknowledging that what he said made sense they stopped being suspicious of me, all except a wavy brunette with long hair who was still showing me a scary face.

Looking at her, I realized that she was my father's partner, Detective Rosa Diaz. Which was actually bad news because I knew that she wouldn't let me go just like that. And as expected as I was heading to the exit as quickly as possible while thanking them for letting me go, she put a stop at my endeavor.

"Wait a minute kid, before you go I want your name and I want to see your face."

While her demands were actually normal, I couldn't comply at all! Because for one, she wasn't alone, and second, while she ate at home every Friday with sometimes other the other guys from the precinct, I just didn't want to tell her my secret. Because that's what it will come to if I reveal my face to her right now when I had no reason to be here right now! Beside I wasn't even sure if I wanted to tell my parents, let alone her!

"Hum, listen detective Díaz. I don't really think you are ready to see my face (literally!). It really ugly under, like really ugly. I was bitten by mosquitoes earlier, and I developed an allergy to it, so you really don't want to see it."

While the detective Santiago had a mixture of concern and disgust hearing me, Diaz on the contrary was even more interested.

"Now, that's something I really want to see. Show us." she command with a bit of a sadistic smile.

Having already decided that I wasn't going to do as told. I was already trying to decide the best course of action to escape from there without getting myself or them injured in the process, when suddenly I felt like the spider sense was averting me that someone else other than that the police men was here. Someone, like. Me.

ABOVE

Before I had the time to raise my head I heard his voice first. A very familiar one.

"Guys, while I respect your 'serious cop' stuff things going on, but don't you think that more than ten officers bullying kid is a bit too much?"

While the voice looked older than earlier and the spider-sense was a bit confused, but as I raise my head I was sure it was him, crawling on the ceiling . Spi-

'Wait a minute, is he wearing different shoes? Of DIFFERENT SIZES??'

while stumped by what I was seeing, 'Spider-Man?' stopped in his track staring at me and mumbled under his breath.

"We're the same."

And just like that with him creating that impression of déjà-vu woke me up.

"Who are you?"

"You know, while I had my fair share of clone it's the first time I actually meet a real different Spider-Man!"

"Are you really Peter Parker?"

"How do you know my name?"

"How does the kid knows that Spider-Man is Peter Parker?" interjected Diaz, but we both ignore her.

"You're supposed to be dead man! I saw you die!"

"Well, kid, if you said that it's means that you're really new to this life. All I can say is welcome to the life of superhero. For us death is kinda overrated."

His reply made me think of Goku and his multiple raise from the underworld.

"... I won't argue with this one. But are you really Spider-Man? Why does your voice sound older? And what happens to the actual shoes of your suit? Why are you dressed like a beggar Spider-Man with your coat and all?"

"Okay, first of all that's rude, at least my suit IS an actual super hero suit (" Hey that's all I found 'kay! "). Second, I'm 37 what do you think? I've been Spider-Man for 22 years already so I think by now I would've known if I wasn't Spider-Man."

'Wait, 22 years?? But if I remember correctly, Peter has been Spider-Man for just 10 years!'

"Are you from the future? Is this why you're not- Your body is different?"

"Did you just call me fat?"

"Wha- naah, you're imagining things man!" I said while looking everywhere except in his direction.

"No, I'm pretty sure you just called me fat. I would have you know that I was in perfect shape until I travel through that portal okay! That's just the side effects."

While I didn't know what he was talking about, but he didn't really sounds that convincing to me.

"While you're little chat is very diverting, you'll both have the time finish it in the station. And while we're at it the kid will tell us how did he know about Spider-Man's death."

Hearing Detective Diaz voice made me remember that now wasn't really the ti-

GET DOWN

By instinct, I followed my spider sense directive and immediately crouch, saving my life in the process.

BANG BANG

following my action, I heard the sound of gunshots while feeling something fleeing past above my head.

'Th- that was a bullet right?! I ALMOST GOT SHOT!!'

Even though I was scared to death, I Instinctively turn my head to see where the shot come from, just to see someone I really didn't want to see: Kingpin!

"Spider-Man! You're still alive?" he grits through his teeth. To which 'Spider-Man' cheekily replied.

"Well no. Apparently I'm already dead."