Chapter Text
Pete woke up from the light that shone through his eye lids. The sun was warm and blissful on his skin. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly. What a lovely way to wake up. Was it already Saturday? No he could clearly remember that he wrote a test yesterday on Wednesday. So why was the sun up? He always left for school before sunrise.
Suddenly he shot up in his bed. His heart racing, he dared a look on the clock. 9.30 a.m.! He had overslept...again!“ he jumped out of bed. He threw his cloths on, snatched his school bag and pulled his suit out. He would be faster swinging than taking the subway. May had an early shift today so she had already left hours ago.
„Hello Peter. Shouldn’t you be in class?“ his A.I. Greets him. He hurried to his window and crawled out of it, careful not to be seen.
„Yes I overslept! Show me the fastest way to school please.“
„Sure Peter. This seems to happen pretty often recently.“
„I know! I must have turned the alarm off while I was still asleep.“
„What a bummer. I hope you don’t get detention again. May and Mr. Stark wouldn’t be happy about that.
„I know. Let’s hope they don’t have to find out.“
„You are sneaky.“
„Thank you. Now let’s hurry before they realize I‘m late.“
„If they haven’t noticed yet chances are very small that they will now.“
Peter smiled at the sarcasm in his A.I.s voice.
He flew through the streets enjoying the late spring wind that waft over his cheeks fondly and messed up his hair. When he got closer to his school and saw the smoke rising from the building he nearly forgot to shoot another web. He caught himself before he hit the floor. „Karen what happened there??“
He swung even faster if that was possible.
„It looks like an armed man took the students and teachers as hostages.“
„Hostages? What does he want?“
„He seems to ask for Spiderman.“
„What?! Does he know I go to school there?“
„I don’t know Peter, maybe it’s a coincidence.“
Peter jumped down on the street right in front of the building. He froze when he heard screaming coming from inside and a massive blow splintered the entire wall into pieces. Lifting him off his feet. He slowly got back up.
„What was that!?“
„It looks like the man is firing a very advanced weapon.“
„Alien Tec? I thought we took care of that!“
„Looks like we missed one.“
„Yeah.“ He walked to the hole and without any further thoughts he hurried through it. A scene of pure horror awaited him. The classroom was shattered into pieces, he carefully put one foot before the other. He stumbled over something and fell to the floor face to face with a pale and bloody face. Two lifeless eyes staring right through him.
With a surprised intake of breath he jolt up. It was one of the freshman that had started high School last summer. He felt nauseous and dizzy, he had to lean against the wall to not fall down again. He looked into the room, now that his eyes had adjusted to the dark room, he could make out bloody arms, legs and other body parts between the rubble.
Lifeless eyes staring at the ceiling. This time he couldn’t stop himself from vomiting. Tears shot into his eyes, he was glad he didn’t get to eat breakfast this morning, still the acid burned painfully in his throat. He had to take a moment to compose himself as he took a deep shuddering breath.
„Karen...?“ He chocked out.
„No life sign detected. I’m sorry.“
Tears welled up in his eyes. This couldn’t be happening, this had to be a bad dream. He forced his body to move forward. His trembling legs felt like cement not wanting to move further into this nightmare.
„Karen tell me as soon as you see any life sign, is 911 and the Police informed?“
„They are five minutes away.“
„Tell them to secure the hostages through windows or back entrances until I cleared the halls!“
„Yes Peter.“
„And try to call Ned please.“
„Calling Ned.“ it didn’t even ring before the voicemail started playing.
„Damn it! Try MJ!“
It rang a few times before it went to voicemail too.
„Why aren’t they answering?! Should I call Betty? No she’s never on her phone.“ He groaned when he realized who was crazy enough to have his phone in his hands right now, probably filming everything. „Okay desperate times require desperate measures. Call...I can’t believe I’m saying this...Flash Thompson.“
„Calling Flash Thompson.“
„Who is this?“ Peter stomach turned when he heard the bullies voice.
„Eh hey there, it’s Spiderman, I’m here to help. I need to know if you and your classmates are okay or if anyone is injured.“
„Spiderman?! Holy...I can’t believe you are calling me! Wait how did you get my number?“
„I have an A.I that can get me any number.“ Peter lied. „And you are the only one that picked up so...everyone okay up there?“
„I...everyone in here is fine but one of my classmates left the room to use the bathroom. That was before all this happened.“ Peter s breath caught up in his throat. „Who?“ He managed to ask. „Ned Leeds.“ Peter‘s heart stopped.
„…he hasn’t returned yet…“ Peter barely heard him anymore. The fear for his friend overwhelming him, paralyzing him. Not Ned, please not Ned. He could see chocolate brown eyes staring lifeless at him. He shook his head and gulped hard, his vision spinning. If he lost Ned because he had slept in...he would never forgive himself.
„Spiderman? You still there? Will you get us out?“
„Anyone else?“ He brought out shaking.
„No everyone else is here and Okay.“
„Okay I will try to find your friend. The Police and Ambulance are on their way. They will try to get you out through the windows.“
„Thank you for helping us!“
„Stay safe.“ was all he could get out before he ended the call, or Karen ended it for him.
„Karen, please call Mr. Stark I can’t do this on my own...I need him.“
„On it“
The scene didn’t change as he went on. So many dead bodies. Bodies of teachers and students. Children his age and younger lay unmoving on the ground, covered in dirt and blood.
Peter reached the main hall when he heard the man’s cruel voice. „Spideyyy! Come out, come out where ever you are, it’s time to play!“ the man shouted with craziness in his taunting voice. More cries and screams could be heard as he continued firing his gun. Panic started to flash through his veins.
„You better hurry before I have no hostages left!“ another gunshot burst the wall into pieces.
„Mr. Stark is not answering his phone; would you like to leave a message?“
Peter almost sobbed in disappointment. He looked around desperately trying to find out what to do. He needed his mentor, he couldn’t get through this alone. „Yes.“
The Final beep sounded in his ears and he couldn’t help the terror in his shaking voice. „Mr. Stark, there is a shooting at my school! This guy has one of those alien weapons and...there are so many dead body’s...children!! And...Ned is missing...I...I don’t know if... I don’t know if he is dead too... Please help me...I...I need you here. Karen end call.“
„Yes Peter.“ He silently crawled to where the man was shouting. „I am getting inpatient.“ the man threatened and fired his gun to the wall across from them, creating a giant hole in the concrete. Terrified Screams filled the empty halls.
„Stop it! I‘m here.“ Peter shouted angry, as he jumped down behind the man, who whirled around to face him.
„It’s about time. What took you so long?“ The man playfully grunts.
„What do you want?“ Peter asked bitterly, ignoring the question, while trying to get that raging storm inside of him under control.
„I was sent to collect you.“
„In a School? Seriously?? Why would anyone send you here?!
„The Location was my decision.“
„Why?!“ Peter shouted enraged, boiling inside. „You chose to come here and randomly kill people?? You killed innocent children just to get to me?! You could have chosen literally ANY other place!“ Peter growled. All this people just to get to him. He felt a painful knot in his stomach.
„This horror and pain in your eyes, that’s what I wanted to achieve. The guilt that’s eating you up from inside. That’s very satisfying. Isn’t it paralyzing to know that all those poor children died because of you? Because you were too late to protect them. These deaths are on you.“
Tears shot into Peter’s eyes once more. His words struck him in the heart like a knife. He couldn’t believe this. This man had killed dozens of innocent people to get to him. He felt bile rising up again. He forced it down. He had to be strong now. He had to stop this man before he could kill any more people.
„No. This is all on you!“ Peter landed a forceful kick in the man’s gut and send him flying into the next wall.
The man’s phone rang and he answered it as he got himself up, shooting at Peter to keep him away. His shot brushed Peters side and he felt his skin burning away where it had hit him. White spots appeared in front of his vision and he stumbled. He protectively held his side pained.
„Hello?“
Peter couldn’t hear the words but he heard a man speaking on the other end.
„That’s wonderful news this little brat is really getting on my nerves. Hey Spider! Guess what?“ the man pointed the gun at him and shot. Peter only just got out of the way. Three more shot’s followed, chasing Peter who tried to get out of the way. the wall exploding behind Peter piece by piece. But then suddenly the man pointed his shot ahead of Peter so he almost ran into it. It slightly hit his shoulder. He cried out in pain.
„„Strike! I hope you like your bait grilled.“ the man joked into the phone. The guy on the other line said something that seemed to be just what he’d wanted to hear.
„Good.“ He fired his gun another three times and Peter had to duck quickly. The psycho hung up and turned his full attention back to Peter who was still blinded by pain.
„You can’t escape me.“
„Spiderman you got this!“ Ned's voice appeared out of nowhere a little further away from the two opponents.
The man spun around and turned his gun at Ned.
„Ned watch out!“ Peter pulled at the man’s arm, as he fired. the shot missed Ned and hit the ceiling instead. Concrete came crumbling down on his best friend. „NED!!“
He started to run towards his friend, ready to throw him off the way, when a high pitched sound forced him to his knees. He covered his ears with his hands. He didn’t hear Ned’s scream, but he saw the unforgiving cement crushing down on his friend burring him fully.
„NOO!“ Peter screamed his ears still hurting. He could feel something warm tickles down between his fingers. He turned around to see a little device in the man’s hand. Peter took a deep breath and took his hands away from his ears. thousands of needles pierced his sensitive ears. He shot his webs towards the device the man held and caught it with his right hand crushing it. The horrible sound immediately stopped and Peter let out a relieved sigh. Another blast shot towards him. He dodged it. Peter turned around fire raging in his eyes. „Stop it!!!“
„I won’t stop until you surrender.“
„You can’t have me or anyone else in this school!“
„I never fail.“ He fired another shot at Peter who dodged it easily.
„There is always a first time.“ Peter shot his webs at the man’s weapon and pulled it away. He webbed the man to the wall and was over him immediately, swaying slightly from the dizziness that had overcome him.
„You should hope the police is here fast enough to save you.“
„It doesn’t matter if I don’t bring you they will kill me. I’m a dead man anyway.“
„Who are they?!“
„You will find out soon enough.“
Peter growls. „Tell me!!“
The Man just started laughing like the madder he was, sending a cold shiver down the boys spine. The moron bit down hard on something and Peter could hear a crack.
No! He couldn’t get away with that so easily! The man’s mouth filled with froth and he started to shake violently until his eyes rolled back into his head and his body slacked.
„Damn it!“
„Peter! Ned is still trapped under the ceiling.“ Karen reminded him urgingly.
„Ned!“ He whirled around and stumbled to the pile of stones that held Ned underneath them. He removed the stones desperately, hoping, praying that Ned was alive. He threw them off until he could pull Ned out from under it. Ned was covered in dirt, he had long bleeding gash on his head. That was the only wound he could see. But he didn’t know what injuries he couldn’t see from outside.
„Karen, Scan him please!“
„I detect a shattered sternum, broken rips and a severe concussion. He needs medical attention immediately. You have to be careful his heart is unprotected and a piece of his sternum or rips could puncture his heart or lung.“
„Oh gosh. I can’t do this, what if I hurt him further or worse what if I kill him by lifting him up?“ He started to shake, his breathing sped up.
„Peter you have to get him out now. If you don’t he will die.“
„How?!“
„Try to keep his upper body stable and you should be fine.“
„That’s Easy for you to say.“ Peter took a deep breath. „Okay...“ with trembling hands he slipped under Ned’s body carefully, trying to hold him stable. Fast but carefully he carried Ned outside and gave him over to the paramedics. He told them what he knew from Karen and they got into action immediately.
The police came over to ask him what happened. He told them the truth, that this monster came for him. That all he wanted was him. It hurt. It felt like someone painfully squeezed his airways close. So many victims. his best friend one of them. He was having a panic attack he had to leave NOW. He excused himself from the officer breathless and stumbled away quickly throwing webs to swing away. Away from the debris, the screams and the body’s. His throat closed tighter thinking about the burned children. An image of Ned pale and with empty eyes flashed in front of his eyes and it gave him the rest. He gasped for air that didn’t seem to reach his lungs. He fell into a fortunately empty alley. The impact with the hard stone floor send waves of agony through his wounds.
„Peter you have to take deep breaths.“
„I...can’t.“ Peter gasped barely audible.
„Lucky for us Mr. Stark installed an instruction to follow for panic attacks.“
„great....“ the boy wheezed.
„Concentrate on your surroundings. Where are you? What do you feel under you?“
Peter couldn’t think he could only gasp for air his burning lungs desperately craved for. His thoughts spinning around what just had happened. He could feel consciousness creeping up from the edge of his vision. Karen tore him out of the chaos in his head.
„PETER! Concentrate, what do you feel with your hands?“
„cold...hard...“ Peter brought out between gasps.
„Good! Now what do you see?“
„Right now? Black...spots, a lot of them.“
„Okay what do you smell?“
„It smells like...rotten food, smoke...“ he could feel himself calm down. Breathing became easier.
„What do you hear?“
„Engine of cars, laughter, people talking, birds singing.“ His breathing evened out. Peter leaned back against the wall exhausted.
„Thanks Karen.“
„Don’t mention it.“
The pain in his side and shoulder made him hiss.
„You should get that checked out.“
„Yeah...“ He couldn‘t say anything else when Mays HUD popped up on his screen.
„Aunt May is calling.“
„Let her through.“
„PETER?! Thank goodness! Honey are you hurt!?“
„May I‘m...fine...Just...a little shaken up.“
„Oh gosh I was so worried! They told us at the hospital that there was a massacre at Midtown High and that They will bring the injured here and I thought...
„I‘m okay May, but Ned…his state is critical. I…they don’t know if he’ll make it.
„Oh Baby I’m so sorry!“
„Could you take care of him for me? And can you update me about his status? I want to know him in good hands.“
„Of course! I will make sure they do all they can. Where are you?“
„I’m on my way to the tower.“
„What do you want at the tower?“
„I need to find out who’s behind all this. The guy shooting was just following orders.“
„Please stay away from this...it’s too dangerous.“ May pleaded.
„May...I...He was after me! He attacked the school because he wanted me! They found me once they will find me again. I can either be prepared with Mr. Stark there to help me or I can wait until they send the next person to get me and more innocent people die in the process...They won’t stop unless I stop them.“
He could hear the tears and fear in his aunts trembling voice „Please be careful Sweetheart, I can’t lose you.“
„You won’t.“ Peter reassured her softly.
„Promise?“
„Cross my heart.“
„I larb you bear.“
A smile played around his lips. „I larb you more. Stay safe.“
„You too honey.“
...
Meanwhile in a Hideout place in the middle of nowhere, Tony Stark paced up and down in his cell.
„Tony please stop the pacing, you make me anxious.“ Rhodey sighed unnerved.
„Oh I’m sorry you are right I should just sit here and wait for the inevitable like you guys.“
„I’m not…“
„Guys. Please give me break. I’m sure someone will come to tell us their oh so malicious plan soon enough.“
„Yeah well, they should get their buttocks down here and get it over with already, I’m a busy man, I hate to be kept waiting!“
„Stark, Stark, Stark. You should stop turning your opponents against you. You never know where this will end.“
„If you are my opponent then you are already against me. Nothing much I can do to change that.“
„Maybe not, but you can always make it worse for you and those you care about.
„I guess you are Mr. Crazy guy whom we own our stay?“
„It’s Walker.“
„Crazy guy fits you better.“
Walker only snorted in reply.
„Why are we here?“ Nat pulled the man’s attention away from Tony before the billionaire could get them into more trouble.
„You are here to proof a point. To teach the world something important.“
„And what would that be?“ Rhodey was tired of all those bad guys who used the world’s safety as their reason of action.
„The World has to learn to stand on its own feet again. We don’t need freaks in costumes to safe us. We can take care of ourselves. The faster we learn that, the less we will get disappointed when our oh so mighty hero’s don’t show up to save the day.“
„I get the feeling that this is personal.“ Rhodey murmured more to himself than to the others.
„Damn right It is! My wife and children died because of your ignorance.
„So now what? You’re just gonna kidnap all the avengers?“ Tony half joked.
„Not only the avengers, everyone that calls himself a hero. But mostly the avengers yes.“
„Well the three of us definitely are all the avengers out there.“ Tony’s voice dripping with sarcasm.
„Watch your tongue. I didn’t forget about the others. As soon as you told me where to find them I will get the rogues as well. And in this moment one of my men is on his way to midtown High.“
„What?!“ Tony’s Heart nearly stopped.
„Does that sound familiar? It should because we know it’s the school our little spider goes to.“
„Don’t you dare touch him!“
„Oh I definitely will as soon as he‘s here.“
„You better back off or I‘ll...“
„You will what? Without your fancy suits you are just as human as me?“
„Humanity requires a conscience. So I wouldn’t count you as one.“
„If I were you, I would shut my mouth now. Or the kid will get extra rough treatment when he arrives.“
Tony bit down on his tongue hard. A familiar ringing sound interrupted his murderous thoughts. Walker took something out of his pocket. It was Tony’s phone.
„Speaking of the Devil. Incoming call from Peter Parker. Should I take it? He might need help?“
Tony couldn’t answer he was frozen. He knew Peters identity. How had he found out?
„No? Alright let’s just wait so he can talk to the voicemail.“
„No!“ Tony tried to object but he could already here his own voice talking. After the beep Peter s scared voice was like a jab into Tony’s chest.
„Mr. Stark, there is a shooting at my school! This guy has one of those alien weapons and...there are so many dead body’s...children!! And...Ned is missing...I...I don’t know if…“ He could hear Peter suck in a sharp breath. „I don’t know if he is dead too…“ Tony’s stomach dropped. This couldn’t be happening. „Please help me...I...I need you. Karen end call.“ Peters voice was so desperate so fearful Tony wanted nothing more than to go and help the kid. He was scared for the boy. What if he got hurt?
„He is such a sweet innocent boy. What do you think this will do with him? The poor kid will probably be traumatized “
„Shut up, just SHUT UP!“ Despair crawled through Tony’s veins.
„Just saying. You better start to behave and show me some respect or I will hurt your little side kick so bad he will be left crawling out of here, convulsively clinging to the last piece of sanity.“
„Stop it.“ Tony breathed weakly trying to get the picture out of his head.
„That’s what I thought.“ Walker went up to Nat and looked at her warningly. „Tell me where I can find the rest of your freak show.“
Tony bit down hard, clenching his teeth together. He knew she wouldn’t tell.“
The other man sighed and pressed a few buttons. The loud ringing told them that he had put the phone on speaker.
„What Are you doing?“ Rhodey demanded to know. The man just ignored him.
„Hello?“
„Your orders have changed. Unharmed is no longer part of the job, alive will do.“
„That’s wonderful news this little brat is really getting on my nerves. Hey Spider! Guess what?“ A shot could be heard, followed by four others. They heard someone cry out in pain.
„Strike! I hope you like your bait grilled.“ the man on the other and joked, making Tony’s blood boil.
„I usually like it roasted, but him I want to bleed.“
„Good.“ Another three gunshot’s. Each one making Tony wince, worry threatening to swallow him wholly.
Walker deleted the call satisfied.
„You bastard! I will rip your head off!“ Tony swore fiercely fighting the tears down.
The Man only smirked.
„Don’t worry you‘ll soon be reunited with your protégé.“
Tony hit the bars with his fist. „I will end you.“
„Can’t wait!“ the man mocked and turned to the guards. „Take the Girl. Bring her to the...interrogation room. I want to know where the rogues are.“ Without another word he left. The guards pulled Nat out of her cell and dragged her away.
Tony slipped down the wall. He could feel his breathing picking up. The kid couldn’t get hurt. It was his job to protect him. He could never forgive himself if anything happened to his kid. He closed his eyes and wished for the stars.