Chapter 158: Spider-Verse (8)

[Want It Here

Song by Xenia Pax ]

♪ Personal insanity

They gotta like the ally ♪

♪ You're running in

While they're counting ♪

♪ Even score, got the tally

Knock 'em off at the finale ♪

♪ Go, go! They don't want it, yeah ♪

♪ They don't want it, yeah♪

As me and the gang waited in Aunt May's living room, Peni Parker was diligently working on the goober. The room was filled with a tense anticipation, each of us trying to keep busy.

Spider-Man Noir, intensely focused on a Rubik's cube, glanced at Peter Porker and said, "This is purple."

Porker shook his head, "No."

Peni finished the goober or override key and approached me, handing over the override key. "Thanks, Peni," I said, taking it from her.

"You're welcome," she replied with a small smile.

Spider-Man Noir, still struggling with the Rubik's cube, asked Porker again, "Blue?"

Porker sighed, "No."

Gwen broke the focus on the cube, asking, "Has anyone heard from Miles?" She looked directly at me.

Peter B, trying to reassure her, said, "Look, he's just clearing his head. I know the kid."

I nodded and added, "Yeah, and I bet you he's gonna come back through that door," I pointed dramatically and mimicked some punches, "recharged and ready to fight."

Almost on cue, the door flew open and Miles stumbled in, panting and looking frantic. "My uncle," he gasped out.

 I closed the door and look at Miles

Peter B stepped forward, "Hey, where have you been?"

Miles, still catching his breath, stuttered, "My uncle Aaron, he's... he's the Prowler. He... works for Kingpin. He tried to kill me!"

I placed a calming hand on his shoulder, "Slow down, Miles. Slow down."

Miles grabbed me, his eyes wide with fear. "He works for Kingpin. He tried to kill me!"

Spider-Man Noir, unable to contain himself, commented, "This is a pretty hard-core origin story."

Peni elbowed him in the ribs. "What?" Noir said, slightly defensive.

Peter B tried to offer comfort. "It's okay. It's okay. We're gonna figure it out."

Gwen looked at Miles seriously, "Were you followed?"

Miles, still panting, replied, "No, I don't think so."

Suddenly, our spider-senses tingled in unison. The door knob rattled, and the doorbell rang ominously.

Everyone exchanged looks, realizing the danger that might be waiting just outside. The moment was thick with tension, each of us readying ourselves for whatever was about to come through that door.

Peter B whispered, "Stay sharp, everyone."

Peter B moved closer to Miles, putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Stay calm, kid. We'll handle this."

I nodded, stepping forward slightly, ready to take action if needed. "Peni, stay close. We might need to move quickly."

Spider-Man Noir set the Rubik's cube aside, his posture tense and ready for a fight. "Looks like the game's afoot."

Peter Porker, though usually light-hearted, had a serious expression on his face. "Whoever it is, they're not here for a friendly visit."

The doorbell rang again, more insistently this time. Our spider-senses tingled stronger, confirming the imminent threat.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and a mechanical tentacle shot out, knocking Peter B off balance and causing Aunt May to gasp in shock.

Dr. Olivia Octavius, better known as Dr. Octopus, stepped through the broken doorway with a smug grin. "Cute place. Real homey," she remarked, her tentacles writhing menacingly.

Aunt May, recognizing the intruder, muttered, "Oh, great. It's Liv."

Miles, realizing the gravity of the situation, stammered, "I guess I was followed."

Gwen sighed, "Oh, no."

Peter B, regaining his footing, turned to Miles. "Get out of here, kid."

As Miles tried to make his escape, two more figures emerged, blocking his path.

Tombstone, glaring at Miles, growled, "You messed up big time, kid. Very sloppy."

Scorpion, speaking in Spanish, taunted, "¡Wacha estas arañitas! (Well, look at these little spiders...)"

We all turned to face the new threats, recognizing them immediately. Peter B, looking at Scorpion, said dryly, "Let me guess. You're Scorpion. Well, we're the Spider, uh, gang."

Aunt May, clearly displeased, interjected, "Would you mind taking this outside?"

Spider-Man Noir, ever the dramatic, added, "We don't pick the ballroom, we just dance."

Dr. Octopus's eyes locked onto the goober on my chest. "Ooh, I think I'll be taking that," she said, lunging her tentacles toward me. But just as she was about to grab it, the goober vanished.

She stared at me, shocked. "How?!"

Everyone turned to me, puzzled. Peter B voiced the question on everyone's mind, "Where is the goober?"

I smiled enigmatically. "I hid it. And just don't ask too many questions. Think of this as one of my powers, like the zappy thing or.. invisible thingy."

The Spider-Gang exchanged confused and amazed looks.

Miles, catching his breath, nodded. "Fair enough."

Peter B raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. "Wait, you can do that?"

Gwen shook her head in amazement. "That's... actually pretty cool."

Spider-Man Noir, looked at me with newfound respect. "Impressive. Quite the ace up your sleeve."

Peter Porker's eyes widened in disbelief. "Whoa, I didn't know we could do stuff like that!"

Peni nodded approvingly. "Sugoi! That's a neat trick, Michael."

I could see a mixture of curiosity and admiration in their eyes, but there was no time to dwell on it. Dr. Octopus, Scorpion, and Tombstone were gearing up for another attack, their faces twisted in anger and determination.

The trio—Scorpion, Tombstone, and Dr. Octopus—grew visibly angrier and lunged at us with renewed ferocity.

"Run!" I shouted to Miles, bracing for the imminent fight.

Miles hesitated for a moment, looking at us with a mix of fear and determination, then turned and sprinted towards the back of the house, seeking a way out.

Dr. Octopus's tentacles lashed out, smashing furniture and walls as she tried to reach me. Spider-Man Noir and Peter Porker engaged Tombstone and Scorpion, their movements a blur of coordinated attacks and dodges.

Gwen and Peni provided cover for Miles, using their agility and web-slinging skills to keep the villains at bay. Aunt May, surprisingly calm, shouted directions, guiding us through the chaos.

"Keep moving! Don't let them corner you!" she yelled, her voice steady and authoritative.

I focused on Dr. Octopus, dodging her attacks with swift, precise movements. "You'll have to do better than that, Liv!" I taunted, trying to draw her attention away from the others.

Peter B joined me, his eyes focused and determined. "We need to buy Miles some time to escape," he said only I could hear, launching a web at one of Octavius's tentacles.

I nodded and smirked, feeling the adrenaline surge. "Okay, it's showtime!" I shouted.

We all sprang into action, fighting in Aunt May's house amidst the chaos. Dr. Octopus lunged her tentacles at us, causing us to drop to the ground and scatter.

Scorpion laughed menacingly, "Stand, niñito, dale. Prepárate a morir, (Stand, little boy, go ahead. Prepare to die.)" he sneered, focusing on Miles.

Miles prepared to fight, but his hands got tangled in a pillow. "Man, stupid pillows," he muttered, struggling to free himself.

The room erupted into a flurry of action and noise. Tombstone swung at me, but I ducked and countered with a punch to his face. Spider-Gwen and Peni Parker tag-teamed Scorpion, their coordinated attacks keeping him off balance. Peter B., Spider-Ham, and Spider-Man Noir took on Dr. Octopus, dodging her tentacles and striking whenever they saw an opening.

Aunt May, seeing the destruction in her home, grabbed a baseball bat. She glared at Tombstone, who had just crashed into her living room. With a fierce swing, she knocked him outside. "I said, take it outside!" she shouted, her voice brooking no argument.

Suddenly, the wall exploded inward as the Prowler smashed through, adding to the chaos. I turned to him, my eyes narrowing. "Hey, this house is costly, you dumbhead!" I lunged at him, and we tumbled outside, locked in combat.

Miles watched the scene unfold, the realization hitting him hard. "Uncle Aaron," he thought, as he is still grappling with the shock and betrayal.

As I fought Prowler outside, the intensity of our blows increased. He was relentless, but so was I. We exchanged rapid punches and kicks, each trying to gain the upper hand. The ground around us cracked under the force of our impacts.

Inside, the fight raged on. Spider-Gwen flipped gracefully, landing a kick on Scorpion while Peni sent a flurry of mechanical arms to pin him down. Peter B. used his agility to dodge Dr. Octopus's tentacles, delivering quick jabs and punches with Spider-Ham backing him up.

Aunt May, wielding her bat with surprising skill, kept Tombstone at bay, forcing him back each time he tried to re-enter the house.

"You heard the lady!" Spider-Man Noir called out, delivering a powerful punch to Tombstone's jaw.

.....

Michael's POV

As I fought Prowler, I kicked at his chest, but he evaded it with agility. He lunged at me with his hand claw, and I narrowly dodged, countering with a punch to his face that made him stumble backward.

He quickly recovered and grappled towards the rooftop of Aunt May's house. "Hey, don't hug me, we're not a couple, idiot," I quipped, using my strength to break free from his grapple. Now we were fighting on the rooftop.

"Where is the key?" Prowler demanded.

"Beats me, I probably ate it," I replied, landing another punch. He evaded, then kicked at me, but I grabbed his leg and slammed him down hard, causing him to groan in pain.

"Argh!" he gritted through his teeth.

Suddenly, he activated his turbo shoes, propelling himself away from me. My heart sank as I realized his intention. He was going after Miles.

"Run, Kid!!!" I shouted as loud as I could.

Prowler chased after Miles. I tried to follow but Dr. Octopus's tentacles wrapped around me, pulling me back.

"Get off me!" I roared, using all my strength to break free. Spotting Peter B., I yelled, "Pete, follow him!"

Peter B. nodded and dashed after them.

.....

Meanwhile...

Jefferson Morales was driving his police car when a dispatcher came over the radio. "All vehicles in the area, we have a disturbance involving multiple Spider-People?."

Jefferson grabbed his communication device. "Yeah. On my way."

....

Back to Miles...

Miles was running as fast as he could, fear etched across his face as Prowler gained on him. Suddenly, Prowler grabbed his clothes, pulling him to a halt.

"Uncle, Uncle!" Miles cried, pulling his mask up just enough for Prowler to see his face.

Prowler froze. "Miles?"

"Uncle Aaron," Miles said, desperation in his voice.

Prowler's grip on Miles's shirt tightened. "Oh, no, no, no, no, no."

"Please, Uncle Aaron," Miles pleaded.

From behind, Kingpin's voice boomed, "What are you waitin' for? Finish it." He couldn't see Miles's face, only Prowler's back.

Prowler hesitated, trying to shield Miles's face as he began to put the mask back down. He raised his hands, signaling his refusal to harm his nephew.

Kingpin, enraged by the hesitation, pulled out a gun and fired. The shot echoed through them.

(GUNSHOT)

(AARON GROANS WEAKLY)

Prowler, struck in the chest, fell to the ground. Then Peter B. arrived just in time, delivering a kick to Kingpin's face.

"Get out of here!" Peter B. shouted to Miles.

Miles, tears streaming down his face, grabbed his uncle's body and ran, seeking a hidden spot to tend to Aaron.

....

[Miles side]

Miles found a secluded area and gently laid Aaron down. "Uncle Aaron, please," he begged, holding his hand. "This is my fault."

Aaron coughed, blood staining his lips. "No, Miles. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he said, his voice weak. "I wanted you to look up to me. I let you down, man. I let you down."

Aaron's eyes softened, filled with regret and love. "You're the best of all of us, Miles. Remember... remember what I taught you,"

Aaron whispered, his voice fading. "You... you have to... believe in yourself. You're on your way. Just... keep going. Just keep going."

With one final breath, Aaron's eyes closed, and his hand went limp in Miles's grasp. Miles cried out in anguish, feeling the weight of his loss and the enormity of his responsibilities pressing down on him.

....

Meanwhile...

A police car approached the scene, lights flashing. It was Jefferson Morales, Miles's father, responding to the disturbance. He didn't recognize Miles in his Spider-Man suit.

(DISPATCHER SPEAKING OVER RADIO)

"Hands up!" Jefferson shouted. "Put your arms up. Now! Turn around."

Miles, overwhelmed with emotion, ignored his father's commands. He took one last look at Aaron's lifeless body before swinging away, disappearing into the scene.

To be continued