We Need Spidy Anyways

Mumbai.

The city of dreams. The city that never sleeps. The city where—

HONKKKKK!

"AAIYOOO, CHAL NA BHAI!" (Move, man!)

Pavitr Prabhakar nearly fell out of bed.

He groaned, rubbing his face as the never-ending orchestra of honking rickshaws, screaming vendors, and arguing aunties played outside his window.

"Ah yes, Mumbai. Where my alarm clock is just people fighting over vegetable prices."

With a dramatic stretch, he got up, looking at himself in the mirror.

His perfectly styled, Bollywood-hero-level hair? Flawless.

His face? Handsome as always.

His life? …Well, that part was a little messy.

But today was going to be a good day.

He brushed his teeth (because, unlike some superheroes, he actually practiced basic hygiene).

He showered (because saving the world doesn't mean you have to smell like a gym locker).

And finally, as he put on his college bag, he hyped himself up.

"Okay, Pavitr, today you will not swing into any problems. You will not get involved in superhero nonsense. You will go to class like a normal person, flirt with Gayatri, and have a peaceful, normal day."

With that, he turned to leave—

BOOOOOOOOM.

The entire apartment shook.

His mirror rattled.

Pavitr froze mid-step.

"…Okay. That's not the sound of a vada pav stall exploding."

He rushed to the window.

And there it was—

A massive fireball in the distance.

Smoke rose over the mountains outside the city. Something big was moving inside the flames.

Then, a deep, guttural roar shook the entire skyline.

Pavitr's Spidey-Sense punched him in the skull like an angry coconut seller.

"OH, COME ON!" He threw his hands up. "I JUST WANTED ONE PEACEFUL MORNING! JUST ONE!"

He sighed.

Then, pulling his mask from his bag, he muttered—

"Ugh, fine. Let's see what fresh new nightmare is happening today."

And just like that, Mumbai's Spider-Man swung into action.