Chapter Text
Alright, let’s do this one last time.
My name is Peter Parker.
I was bitten by a radioactive spider and for 10 years I’ve been the one and only: Spider-Man!
I’m pretty sure you know the rest. I saved a bunch of people. Fell in love. I graduated college and got my degree in Chemical Engineering. I saved the city again and again and again. Hey, I even got married!
Look, I’m a comic book, a cereal, have an excellent theme song and I even had a Christmas album and a popsicle we don’t talk about. I’m pretty much a celebrity! I even have a Spider-Cave, if that’s enough proof.
Well anyways, big bad guy called the Kingpin (emphasis on big) funded some interdimensional gizmo thing that will probably make New York or the world or the universe implode, no pressure and all that.
Took a while to find it. Like a LONG while. I got in a lot of tussles with some disposable goons and my good friends of the Sinister Six, forgot to get a coffee, my webbing is almost out, my feet also hurt.
Met a kid who’s like me. Thought I was alone, so that’s a relief. Promised I’ll show him the web ropes when I finish punching some guys and saving the universe so I left him in a safe spot.
Though good ol’ Norman decided it was a nice idea to put me face first into the beam of the gigantic death portal thingy and that hurt a bit. Saw some things I wish I didn’t see. Like getting an explosion to the face point blank and having the ceiling fall on you.
And now I… don’t feel so good. The kid’s here, I’m telling him it’s alright and I’ll get back up. I mean, I always do.
I’m the Ultimate Spider-Man after all.
Peter was tired.
It was a nonstop two weeks of tracking down the Kingpin’s cronies with barely any rest. He had battled through countless warehouses, construction sites and laboratories of dozens and dozens of goons all trying to kill him.
Mercenaries, petty thugs, scientists, even policemen who were in the Kingpin’s pocket stood in his way. It hadn’t helped that somehow the crime boss also recruited the Sinister Six to impede Peter’s progress to finding the Super Collider.
Green Goblin, Electro, Scorpion, Doc Ock, Vulture, and Sandman...
Peter caught himself upon the scorch mark covered stone walls of the corridor he was in, taking a quick moment to catch his breath. He looked back at several members of the Six he managed to finally take down.
Vulture was strung up by his destroyed wings with heavy amounts of webbing, his pilot helmet cracked open with the man behind the mask drooling a bit. Both Doc Ock and Scorpion were hogtied on their respective metallic appendages with webbing with Sandman not too far off melting into a grate after a heavy blast of water thanks to a broken pipe. Said water also managed to short circuit Electro out of commission and he was slumped up against the wall.
“Five down… one to go.” Peter said to himself with a smirk. He overheard the final villain’s monstrous roar from further down the corridor he was in.
“Right. Of course it’s gotta be Norman. It’s always Norman…” He sighed deeply and pushed himself off the wall, despite his body shouting at him to rest he still broke into a sprint to catch the last of the Six.
Moments later Spider-Man was doing battle with the Green Goblin. Peter tried to reason with him, explaining how the Super Collider would open up a black hole right under Brooklyn. Unfortunately Goblin was not having it and continued his barrage of pumpkin bombs and slashes. Peter had no choice but to keep fighting on as there was no convincing Osborn.
Their battle was brought into the seemingly unending spacing that held the Super Collider and Peter only had a moment to observe just how massive this machine was.
Okay. No pressure. Just a huge potentially world ending piece of scrap. If I don’t stop this… then who else can? There’s no back up. No Avengers, no X-Men, no Fantastic Four, not even Matt, Jessica, Luke or Danny are around… I’m the only one… I’m the only one who can do this. I’m the only one—
His train of thought was interrupted by his Spider-Sense going off and he turned his head mid swing, there was a small figure falling! Even his ears could pick up his scream from all the way here.
He was about to land a strong hit on Goblin but he instead adjusted his momentum and flung himself towards the figure. Getting closer and closer showed it was a kid, a teenager no less. He caught him by the end of his jacket and carried him over to a railing nearby.
Peter set the kid down and backed up some to give both of them air to breathe. He observed the teenager, he couldn’t be any older than 13 or 14. He looked scared out of his mind and for good reason. He had some cool shoes though.
“You know your shoes are untied?” Spider-Man asked to lighten the mood.
“U-Uh huh…” The kid nodded nervously.
Peter smiled beneath his mask. “This is a onesie so I don’t really have to worry about it.”
His Spider-Sense went off again, but it was a slight tingle, just enough that it wasn’t incoming danger… it was something else.
Peter’s eyes squinted and the boy before him did the same, the world around them seemed to change color at the same time.
I’m… not alone?
He could not suppress how joyful he felt at this very moment.
“I thought I was the only one…” Peter said with a heavy amount of relief. “You’re like me.”
“I don’t want to be…” The boy responded, blinking quickly.
He knew that feeling all too well.
“I don’t think you have a choice kiddo.” Peter regrettably pointed out. He recounted his own personal experiences. “There’s a lot going through your head I’m sure…”
The kid seemed to be calming down a bit now, his facial expression soothing out as he answered. “Yeah…”
“You’re gonna be fine.” He reassured calmly with his hands up. “I can help you. If you stick around, I can show you the ropes!” He smiled to himself at the unintended spider puns, he just couldn’t help himself. His exhaustion and frustration with this entire debacle was momentarily lifted at the sight of this kid before him.
A chance to mentor a new Spider-Man! He only wished he had someone guide his hand when he himself was starting out, but he had to do everything on his own. But now… he can make sure that won’t happen to another young man, he’ll teach him everything he knows. He can finally sleep a night not worried to death but instead reassured knowing Spider-Man is out there keeping the city safe. He can finally spend more time with MJ… and maybe… he can finally get some rest.
The kid looked seemed just as excited, his expression no longer frightened but a calm, weary smile instead. “Yeah…”
Unfortunately for the both of them, large rumbling interrupted their spider moment. They both turned their gaze to see the machine activating.
It’s never easy is it. Rest can wait, then.
“I just need to… destroy this big machine real quick before the space time continuum collapses.” Peter explained casually, pointing a thumb back at the Super Collider. “Don’t move.” He hopped up on the railing and readied himself.
Spider-Man looked back at the boy. Those worried but hopeful look in his eyes. “See ya in a bit.” He smirked and swung off.
He had to admit, scaling the Super Collider was a simple effort but he made sure to make it extra fancy for the kid. As a way of showing “you can do this too one day!” definitely. He landed the ceiling and began crawling, searching for the opening grate.
Peter was able to find what he was looking for and opened it up, getting the goober ready in his hand.
“Alright folks!” He went to insert the goober and hesitated. Was it upside down or rightside up? “Ugh, I always get this wrong…”
Spider-Sense rang, much louder and stronger. That means…
“Oh boy.”
A streak of purple light and a metallic gloved hand grabbed him by the throat, tackling him right off the ceiling. He knew that gaudy outfit anywhere…
“Prowler!” He strained with a heavy hand wrapping tight around his neck.
They struggled in the air, with Spider-Man trying to strike the Prowler off of him but the villain was persistent and quick. Figures the Kingpin would get his personal bodyguard to attack him last second.
He was knocked right into the revolving portion of the collider, he laid his head down watching the metal swerving right before him.
It was then Peter Parker remembered how he really felt. That excitement of guiding a new Spider-Man, the relief of almost shutting down the collider, all taken away as he’s dragged back into another fight.
“I am so tired.”
Everything after that seemed to have been a blur. Goblin returned and joined the fight, so Spider-Man had to deal with one well rested villain and one monstrous villain that’d usually take a team to beat. The collider activated and he pleaded with not just Kingpin, but everyone listening. The blinding beam of light seemed to consume everything and change things around it like color or shape. It was then once he got away from the two villains he rushed to swing back in a last ditch effort to destroy the collider, but Norman caught him and dragged him right into the beam.
All Peter could think of before the entire structure collapsed and the explosion erupted right before his eyes was if the kid he just met was safe.
...
Miles Morales didn’t ask for any of this. These confusing powers, this entire situation. He’s glad he met Spider-Man, he even offered to guide him. But he only wished it was under different circumstances. Especially when he sees the same hero laid out before him, covered in rubble and his costume heavily damaged.
He rushed over almost immediately and threw off some of the rubble covering Spider-Man. “Hey, hey, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine… just resting.” Peter casually waved off. He was far from fine and he knew it. But he had to calm the kid down. Though the kid seemed to not believe him. But he’s glad the kid was safe.
Miles didn’t know why Spider-Man was trying to lie to him about his health. But he further prodded. “Can't you get up?”
“Yeah…” Peter sighed and let out a weak laugh, resting his head back. The laugh wasn’t from joy at all. "Yeah, I always get up.” He lost count of how many times he’s said that lie.
Miles’ worry didn’t falter as the hero began to let out raspy coughs. “The coughing’s probably not a good sign…”
Before he could interject, they both overheard distant speaking. Someone was coming.
Oh no… oh no no no… Peter had no choice now.
“Listen, we gotta team up here we don’t have that much time.” He opened up Miles’ fingers and handed him the goober and one of his webshooters. “This override key is the only way to stop the collider. Swing up there, use this key, push the button and blow it up.” He hated doing this to such a young man, these hastily made instructions. “I already set the webshooter on the standard web string mode, you don’t have to use any of the other settings.”
Miles looked down at the things he was handed. He doesn’t even know how Spider-Man’s webshooters worked, much less how to blow up that huge machine.
“You need to hide your face…” Peter continued, staring right into the kid’s eyes. He hated this so much. A kid this age shouldn’t have to deal with such a horrible situation like this. “You don’t tell anyone who you are. No one can know. He’s got everyone in his pocket.”
Miles wasn’t sure who he was talking about, but Spider-Man continued nonetheless.
“If he turns the machine on everything you know will disappear… your family… everyone.”
The image of Miles' parents and uncle appeared in his head. His family.
Peter knew his time was up now. He had to pass the torch.
“Promise me you’ll do this.” He whispered to the next Spider-Man.
Miles stared into that one blue eye behind the cracked eye lense of the mask. Spider-Man couldn’t get up. He had to finish his work. He had to save everyone. He didn’t know if he could, but he has to. He was scared out of his mind and the man that was supposed to mentor him was here dying.
“I promise…” He finally said.
That’s all Peter needed to hear. ”Go! Destroy the collider! I’ll come and find you!” He watched as the teenager run off, but take one look back at him. He coughed and waved, trying to reassure him one more time. “It’s gonna be okay…”
Miles climbed atop some destroyed machinery and scanned the ceiling, until he locked eyes with the opened grate where the override key was supposed to be inserted to. He clipped the webshooter around his right wrist and gulped, aiming it right above his head.
He stopped in his tracks when he heard voices, the same voices from earlier were much closer now. He crawled over to another side and saw a towering and imposing man walk towards Spider-Man.
Oh no… His eyes widened.
He heard Spider-Man call the man Kingpin, so this must be the villain behind this entire debacle. He let out a tiny gasp when he saw the man remove the hero’s mask, revealing a young man with blonde hair. Miles didn’t know just how bad Spider-Man’s condition was until he saw how beat and blooded his face was.
Peter tried to plead with Kingpin again. He knew it wasn’t going to work but he had to try. Of course, he wasn’t having it. As evidenced by the Prowler returning with his clawed gloves ready to finish off Peter.
One last chance. He told Kingpin what he saw within the beam of the collider. He knew what he was trying to do. Kingpin was trying to bring his family back.
But he told him. It won’t work. They’re gone. His family is gone.
Kingpin closed his eyes, anger boiling, his large fists wrapped tight.
Peter knew this was it.
He’s so tired. He’s already accepted his fate but...
MJ… I want to see MJ.
He heard Kingpin let out a yell, but one of pain. His eyes widened at the sight of a blue lighting pulsing through Kingpin and Prowler. That looked like…
“My taser webs…?” He gasped.
Miles couldn’t let this happen. He had to save Spider-Man. He didn’t know how the webshooters worked but he mashed buttons and shot out something useful. Something that stunned the villains with a high amount of voltage. He rushed down quick and with his hoodie thrown over his head tight, he had to hide his face just as Spider-Man said.
“What are you doing?!” Peter exclaimed. “These guys will kill you! You promised to destroy the collider!”
“I will! But I have to save you first!” Miles scrambled and gripped his hands around the cement rubble covering Spider-Man’s legs.
“Kid, you have to get out of here! It’s too late for me!” Peter practically begged at this point, tears threatening to burst from his eyes as a teenager was risking his life for the mistakes he made.
“No! I can’t let Spider-Man die!” Miles strained as he tried to lift the concrete.
Peter’s blue eyes widened, he has never met someone that didn’t want him dead. He watched as the kid struggle to lift it and over to the side as the taser webs continued to do their work. He knew they were going to run out of juice soon, so he gripped his hands around the rubble covering him as well. “Neither can I...!” He said, directing that towards the boy.
He wasn’t going to let the kid’s life go to waste here. He was going to save him. He’s the ultimate Spider-Man after all…
Until he realized the sharp pain in his legs shot through him like a bullet.
The rubble was off but it felt like…
“I… I can’t move my legs.” Peter said in a hushed tone.
Miles’ eyes went up like headlights but he moved quickly. He learned how to perform a fireman carry from his father and he applied it here. His newfound abilities made him stronger than he used to be, but they were still fresh. He managed to heave Spider-Man up over his shoulder and bolted out as fast as he could.
“I can’t move my legs. I can’t feel my legs. I can’t…” Peter repeated over and over. His body was thrashing around as his larger frame was held by the smaller boy, but he was doing a good job getting out.
He heard the web taser end. As well as Kingpin yelling.
“KILL THEM BOTH!”
Jet boots erupted, it meant Prowler was coming.
Peter had to help. He still had one webshooter and two mildly decent arms. He activated multiple settings to cover their escape with large web nets and blobs of impact webbing to impede the progress of Prowler. He kept shooting until the web fluid ran out and the webshooter eventually short circuited. “Keep running, kid…” He felt his eyes go heavy.
“I am! Don’t give up on me yet, Spider-Man, please!” Miles begged between heavy breaths.
He had to go somewhere. But carrying an injured superhero in public wasn’t the smartest idea. There could be other villains or people working for the Kingpin out looking for them both. He had to go somewhere safe… somewhere with people he trusts.
He had to go home.
Miles managed to carry Spider-Man out of the inner city system finally and onto the surface, but he took a turn into an alleyway to hide. He tried to carefully set down the hero and prop him up behind a dumpster and he slumped right down next to him.
Both of them felt the burning pain in their chests as their breathed in the freezing air of New York City. They tried to keep silent as they heard heavy footsteps, a shadow appeared from the stairway and looked around. Miles shot up and held a hand over his mouth, peaking out to see the purple dressed figure peeking off to a different direction, finally out of sight.
They were safe.
Miles laid back next to Spider-Man and rubbed his face.
“Hey…” He heard the hero call out.
Miles looked over to see the blonde man had a small smile on his face. “Not bad, kid.”
He shared the smile now as well. “Thanks…”
“What’s your name, by the way?” Spider-Man asked, holding up his hand weakly.
“I…” Miles grasped the hero’s hand and firmly shook it. “I’m Miles Morales.”
“Good to meet you Miles.” The hero nodded. “I’m... Peter Parker.”
The teenager nodded in return and allowed their hands to release and fall back on their legs.
“Nice to meet you too, Mr. Parker.”
“Ah just Peter is fine, buddy. Mr. Parker makes me feel old…”
The two shared a chuckle together, as they stared up at the dark star filled sky peeking through the alleyway’s rooftops.