7

Chapter 7: A New Beginning

The sun shone brightly over the city as Alex looked out the window of his apartment. It had been a week since his graduation, and although many of his classmates were busy with new jobs or enrolling in universities, he had decided to dedicate his time to focusing on his personal life. But this morning was different. Instead of continuing with his usual routine, he had received a message from someone special: Mary Jane.

They had agreed to meet weeks ago, but between graduation and other occupations, life had been a whirlwind. However, Mary Jane, with her natural charm and direct manner, had insisted that it was time to go on that date. The message he sent was brief, but clear: "Today at 7, at the usual cafe. Don't you dare cancel this time."

Alex smiled as he read the message. There was something about Mary Jane that gave him a respite from everything else, a connection that reminded him that, regardless of his worries, he was still a young man who deserved to enjoy the little things too. That date was the break I needed, a chance to disconnect even if it was just for a while.

At six o'clock, after a shower and a change of clothes, Alex left the apartment. The cafe they had decided to go to was in a quiet corner of the city, away from the hustle and bustle of the center. It was a place they both knew well, and it had a welcoming atmosphere that invited long conversations. When he arrived, the cool afternoon air greeted him, and upon entering the premises, he noticed that Mary Jane was already sitting at a table, waiting for him.

Mary Jane looked up and smiled at him, with that gesture that always managed to disarm him.

—You arrive on time. "I didn't expect it," she joked, as Alex sat down in front of her.

"I couldn't risk you hating me for another cancellation," he replied, smiling too.

—Well, you got lucky this time. "I almost stood you up," she said, pretending to be serious. But, for some reason, I decided to give you another chance.

"I appreciate that," Alex replied, relaxing. How was your week? Have you been staying busy?

Mary Jane sighed, resting her elbows on the table as she absentmindedly played with a napkin.

—Ah, the same as always. I went to a few auditions, nothing too exciting. You know how it is, I show up, I smile, I act, and then they say no. The routine.

Alex looked at her curiously. He knew that Mary Jane was tenacious and didn't let herself get down easily, but that answer had a different tone.

—Did anything in particular bother you this time? —he asked softly.

Mary Jane shrugged, but then looked him straight in the eyes, with a mixture of sincerity and frustration.

—It's not that it bothers me... It's just that sometimes I feel like I do the same thing over and over again, and nothing happens. As if she were trapped. I try so hard, and in the end, I wonder if it's really worth it.

Alex nodded, understanding her frustration.

—It's difficult. But if there's one thing I know about you, MJ, it's that you don't give up. You've come far, and that's just the beginning. If anyone is going to achieve it, it's you.

Mary Jane was silent for a moment, then smiled, a more genuine smile than before.

—Thank you, Alex. Sometimes I just need someone to remind me.

The conversation flowed more lightly after that. Mary Jane told stories about her strangest auditions, making Alex laugh, while he shared some stories from his last days at school, including awkward moments during graduation.

"And there I was, with the diploma in my hand, hoping that they wouldn't say my name wrong in front of the entire audience," Alex said, making Mary Jane laugh.

-It just can't be! Did they say it wrong? —she asked between laughs.

—Not this time, but the fear was there the whole time. I could feel the disaster about to happen.

Mary Jane leaned forward, resting her chin on one hand as she looked at him with a mixture of interest and amusement.

—You always make everything sound more epic than it is. It's one of the things I like about you.

Alex looked at her surprised, but smiled at the compliment.

—Oh, yes? Just one of the things?

Mary Jane looked at him mischievously.

—Well, I'm not going to make a list for you right here. "I mean, I don't want to inflate your ego too much," he said, winking at her.

Alex laughed and shook his head. The moment was light, natural, as if the outside world did not exist while they talked. There was something between them that made everything seem easy, a genuine connection that didn't require much effort to maintain.

As the night grew darker and the café began to empty, they both realized it was time to say goodbye. As they left the store, the cool night air enveloped them, and Mary Jane turned to Alex.

—I'm glad we did this. "I needed it," she said with a sincere smile.

"Me too," Alex replied, looking into her eyes. It was a good rest.

Mary Jane looked at him curiously.

—Rest from what, exactly?

Alex was silent for a moment, not sure what to say. But then he just smiled.

-Of everything.

She looked at him for a second longer, as if she wanted to ask something else, but finally she just nodded.

"Well, you know where to find me if you need another break."

They said goodbye with a warm hug, and as Mary Jane walked away, Alex stood in the corner for a few moments, watching her go. There was something about that night that had given him a sense of peace, something he hadn't felt in a long time.

He walked back to his apartment with a smile, feeling that, for the first time in a long time, things were in place.

The cool night air enveloped Alex as he watched Mary Jane walk away. The date had been exactly what they both needed: a pause, a moment of connection and calm in the midst of their hectic lives. However, that feeling of peace vanished in an instant.

A deafening roar shook the air, followed by a series of explosions that echoed throughout the city. Alex turned around immediately, her heart racing as she tried to identify the source of the sound. In the distance, in the same direction that Mary Jane had gone, a plume of smoke was beginning to rise between the buildings.

Restlessness took hold of him. I knew something terrible was happening. Just a few seconds later, he recognized it: the Green Goblin was attacking again. Explosions, chaos and panic were their hallmark, and to their bad luck, everything indicated that the attack was happening right where Mary Jane could be.

Alex gritted his teeth, feeling a mix of fear and urgency. He couldn't sit idly by. He knew he had to make sure she was safe, but he couldn't go in plain sight. At that moment, his gaze shifted and he noticed something that might help him: a costume shop just a few meters from where he was standing. Through the shop window, a series of masks were displayed, and among them, one in particular caught his attention.

It was a dark mask, with sharp edges, that reminded him of the one Black wore in Dragon Ball Heroes, with a design that conveyed mystery and power. He didn't have time to hesitate. He quickly entered the store, ripped the mask from the display case, and placed it on his face. It wasn't perfect, but it would serve to hide his identity and give him the anonymity he needed.

The sound of another explosion shook the streets as Alex left the store and ran in the direction of the attack. Car lights flashed erratically as drivers tried to flee the chaos, and people's screams filled the air. Chaos had taken over the place, but Alex didn't stop. His mind was fixed on one thing: finding Mary Jane.

As they approached the attack area, the magnitude of the disaster became evident. Buildings had been damaged, windows shattered, and debris littered the streets. Through the smoke and dust, he could see the Green Goblin, hovering above his glider, dropping bombs and laughing with unbridled madness. His voice echoed through the shouts of the crowd as he reveled in the chaos he had caused.

Alex hid behind an overturned car, observing the scene carefully. I had to be careful. He couldn't confront the Goblin directly without exposing who he was, and besides, he hadn't seen Mary Jane yet. His breathing became heavy as his eyes scanned the crowd for any sign of her.

Among the rubble and the people running, he finally saw her. Mary Jane was trapped near a collapsed wall, trying to help an elderly woman who couldn't move. It was too close to the danger area, and just one more bomb dropped in that direction could be fatal for both of them.

Alex felt his heart skip a beat. I couldn't wait any longer. I had to act, and quickly. With one last glance at the Green Goblin, he calculated his movements. He knew he couldn't face him directly without attracting too much attention, so he decided to use the chaos to his advantage.

He moved quickly, staying under the shadows and avoiding being seen by the Goblin. As he approached Mary Jane, the explosions and the deafening sound of screams seemed to fade around him. All that mattered was getting to her on time.

When he was finally close enough, Alex took a deep breath and emerged from his hiding place. He lunged at Mary Jane, who barely had time to react. He grabbed her arm, pulling her hard out of harm's way.

—Mary Jane, we have to go! —he said urgently, his voice distorted by the mask.

Mary Jane looked at him in surprise, unable to recognize him because of the costume. However, the urgency in his voice made her react. He nodded quickly and, with his help, they managed to get away from the most dangerous area. Alex made sure the older woman was safe before turning her attention fully to Mary Jane.

-Who are you? she asked, her voice shaking with adrenaline and fear.

Alex didn't respond immediately. He knew that if he talked too much, she might recognize his voice. Instead, he just gestured for her to keep running, away from the disaster. As the Green Goblin continued to wreak havoc in the distance, Alex made sure Mary Jane was safe, although the danger had not yet completely passed.

Alex, heart racing after getting Mary Jane to safety, knew he had no time to rest. The Green Goblin was approaching, and his ki was overwhelming. The cold sweat on his forehead reminded him that he was in no condition to face him directly. His mind raced, desperately searching for a solution.

"He's stronger than me, much stronger," Alex thought, feeling the pressure of the dark energy that the Goblin was emitting in the distance. "I can't win in a direct confrontation, but..."

A flash of lucidity hit him. "I don't have to beat him now! I just need to temporarily stop him or distract him long enough to buy time."

Alex looked around quickly, taking in his surroundings. They were in the upper part of the city, with buildings rising like giants around them. "If I can use the terrain to my advantage, I could slow him down. If I can get him into a tight or difficult area to navigate, I could use his own power against him."

He knew that a head-on collision would be suicidal, but if he could play with his agility and cunning, perhaps he could destabilize it. "I have to be faster and strike at the right time. Use his momentum against him."

With that thought in mind, Alex focused his ki, feeling it flow through his body. "Every second counts. I'm not going to defeat him... but I'm not going to let him win today either."

He determined to lure the Goblin into a more closed area, perhaps an alley or a set of scaffolding under construction. Meanwhile, he would continue looking for an opportunity to strengthen his ki or perhaps gain some advantage.

The game had begun.

Alex, with every fiber of his being focused on the attack, watched as the energy beam sped towards the Green Goblin. The bluish light of ki illuminated the buildings, cutting the air with a dazzling brilliance. For a moment, he thought he had it, that the blow would land squarely.

But to his bad luck, at the last second, the Green Goblin turned nimbly on his glider, completely dodging the beam. Alex's attack brushed past the villain's figure and disappeared into the distance, exploding against an empty building with a deafening bang.

"Curse!" Alex thought, eyes widening as he realized what had happened. Worse yet, the Green Goblin had seen it. The villain's face twisted into an evil smile as he fixed his gaze in Alex's direction.

"So here you are, bug!" the Goblin shouted, diving with terrifying speed. In a matter of seconds, the villain was already on him, pulling a series of bombs from his belt. Wasting no time, he began to throw them mercilessly, raining destruction on Alex's position.

The young warrior had no choice but to flee. He jumped from rooftop to rooftop, the sound of explosions chasing him. Chaos surrounded him as the Green Goblin's bombs exploded around him, disintegrating walls and leaving craters in the concrete. The pressure was overwhelming, and Alex had to use all his agility to stay one step ahead.

Suddenly, one of the bombs fell too close. The explosion hit him before he could fully react. The blast launched him into the air, sending him rolling across the ground as fragments of debris flew in all directions.

For an instant, pain shot through him like lightning, but his ki had reinforced it. Although the impact shook him, his inner energy had created a natural barrier that protected him from the most severe damage. Alex stood up, unsteady but still standing. He felt the heat of the explosion on his skin and the sharp noise in his ears, but his body resisted.

"That was close..." he thought, as he panted with effort. He knew that he couldn't continue receiving attacks like that, but he also understood that his only option was to find a way to counterattack or escape before the Green Goblin completely cornered him.

He looked around, searching for some escape route or a way to gain the upper hand, but the Goblin would give him no respite. The villain's maniacal laughter echoed in the air as he continued to drop more bombs from the sky.

"I can't go on like this!" Alex thought. His mind was torn between finding a new plan or continuing to flee, while the shadows of the Green Goblin covered him once again.

As Alex frantically searched for a way to escape or counterattack, a deafening hum filled the air. Without warning, the Green Goblin launched himself at him at full speed on his glider, intending to ram him head on.

Alex barely had time to react, and a feeling of terror washed over him. "I can't dodge it in time!" he thought, sensing the impending collision. Just as the Goblin's figure approached, evil laughter ringing in his ears, a flash of red and blue cut through the air.

With superhuman speed, Spiderman appeared on the scene, launching himself with an acrobatic spin. "Hey, Leprechaun! Are you looking for a cab or do you just want a good hit?" he joked as he lunged towards the villain.

With one precise movement, Spider-Man shot out his web, trapping the Green Goblin's glider and forcing it to divert its course at the last second. The villain lost control, spinning in the air before crashing into a nearby building. Vibrations resonated from the impact, and debris rained down around them.

Spiderman landed next to Alex, confidence emanating from him like an aura. "Wow, what a welcome! I'm glad I wasn't late. What should I call you? Black? Or maybe the new spider boy?" he asked, with an amused smile.

Alex, still a little dazed from the save, took a second to think. "Call my Black," he finally said, determined. "It's a name I like."

"Black! Sounds great," Spider-Man replied, winking. "So, Black, ready to make this Green Goblin regret going out today? Because I have some ideas that might change his mind."

Without warning, the Goblin rose from the rubble, dusting himself off with a furious expression on his face. "I won't let any of you stop me!" he shouted, as his gaze focused on them. "They will pay for this!"

The Goblin began throwing bombs in their direction, detonating with explosions that echoed through the air. Spiderman, agile as always, moved quickly. "Take cover, Black! Get 'em!" he shouted, dodging a bomb with an acrobatic jump and launching himself towards the Goblin.

Alex felt the adrenaline rushing through his veins. "Come on!" he shouted, as he launched himself into the attack, concentrating his ki to prepare a strike. Explosion fragments flew around him, but his determination did not waver.

Spiderman used his webs to create temporary barriers, disorienting the Goblin. "Hey, Leprechaun! Are you ready for a little game of tag?" he exclaimed, as he shot out trap-like webs. The Goblin was laughing, but that didn't save him from an unexpected blow from Alex, who took advantage of the moment of distraction to hit him with a ki attack.

"That's it, Black! Keep it up!" encouraged Spider-Man, as the Goblin staggered, dazed by the blow. But the villain was not far behind. Enraged, he began bombarding the area with more bombs, this time aiming directly at Alex.

With each explosion, Alex moved, dodging and using his agility to avoid damage. However, he knew he couldn't hold his own against him alone. "We need a strategy, Spidey! We can't keep dodging all the time!" he shouted, as he threw himself behind a wall for cover.

"That's the idea, Black! Throw the Goblin off, I'll take care of giving him a good hit," Spider-Man responded, as he jumped from side to side, creating confusion. "I'm going to make you feel like you're in a bad amusement park."

Alex nodded, remembering that they had to combine their skills. "Got it! Let's show him that he can't play with us," he said determinedly.

As the Green Goblin prepared for a new attack, Alex and Spiderman moved in perfect synchrony, ready to give their best. The battle was just beginning, and the fate of the city hung in the balance.