Chapter Text
October 10, 2019. New York City.
Peter had been swinging all over New York, fighting goons, getting shot, getting stabbed, and missing school, all to get as much information about Master Planner and his dealings. Eventually, he and Black Cat had found his hideout, an underwater complex recently built near the shores of Manhattan. Peter had instructed Felicia that if he didn’t return from his underwater adventure in 3 days, then she had to hand her family and friends a USB containing all compiled information and the truth of his secret identity.
Felicia didn't like the idea but still went with it, she gave Peter a hug and wished him good luck. He wasn't sure if he would make it, but he had to try, for other heroes were occupied, as always…
The Fantastic 4? Busy off planet.
The Avengers? Fighting overseas.
The X-Men? Dealing with a crazy Nazi scientist.
The Defenders? Well, Luke and Jessica were on their honeymoon, Daredevil had been missing for a while, and Iron Fist was in Tibet.
He had to do this. From what he had learned, whatever Master Planner had going on could endanger more than just Manhattan, he wouldn’t let him and his rogues endanger anyone else.
So he took the plunge into New York’s icy waters.
***
Inside the underwater base, he had seen various contraptions and devices, what stood out the most were clear tubes along the walls and a container with a black substance inside.
“Unlimited power, gentlemen. The ability to bend the world to our very whims!”
Was the Master Planner referring to the strange substance? Well, it didn't matter anymore, for everything he had built had been destroyed…
A brutal fight unfolded with bombs, portals, fire, lightning, and a miniature sandstorm. All of his worst enemies in one room, working together, for some godforsaken reason. Doc Oct, Electro, The Spot, Sandman, Mysterio and The Hobgoblin had put on the fight of their lives.
But ultimately, he stood victorious, though at a heavy cost. His body was screaming, all of his muscles were burning, his face was bruised, he bet he had at least 3 broken ribs, and worst of all his suit was hanging on by a thread.
As he tried to flee the installation he failed to avoid a massive piece of rubble. Now Peter was pinned under tons of steel, in a crumbling facility under the water, and the water was quickly making its way in. Peter tried his best to stay calm and formulate a plan.
Not far from where he was he could see an escape shuttle, if he could just get the rubble off him.
He shifted his feet to have a better chance of lifting the rubble. He steadied his breathing, focusing his strength on his back. He could feel the rubble shifting, and just a little more, and he would be able to see May. He could confess to MJ, he could take pester Jonny once more, he could tell Harry the truth.…
But today, luck had completely abandoned him.
Due to the ever-rising water, he had lost his footing, he slipped, and his right arm gave out, accompanied by the sound of bones breaking. He cried out in pain, but Peter’s body was almost out from the rubble. If he could just squish his arm, even if the pain was unbearable, he was almost out.
Peter took a deep breath, planted himself on the ground, and began to lift with just one arm.
For a second the rubble was lifted, he moved fast, and he was free, albeit his right arm was completely limp.
He had to reach solid ground by the time the adrenaline faded, or else he would pass out in what amounted to a sinking steel coffin.
His vision, impaired by the lack of light and a black eye plus the excruciating pain all over his arm and body, made it so that he was only noticing that the water now filled up to his chest.
"Spider-Man won't let his parents, aunt, uncle, friends, and the city down," he thought to himself, creating an arm brace with his webs. He was going to live.
He made his way to the pod, he tried using the pad next to the door without any luck.
"Fuck!" He took his mask off out of frustration. Electro's tantrum must have fried the systems of the installation.
He passed a hand through his hair, removing it from his face.
At this point the water was up to his shoulders, and his spider sense was driving him crazy.
QUICK!!! DARK!!! AFRAID!!! WATER!!! TOO CLOSE!!! COLD!!! AFRAID!!!
"THINK, PARKER, THINK!" He yelled out, banging his head on the reinforced glass of the pod's door. He was so desperate that he increased the strength of the headbanging, even using his good arm to beat the door. Blood began to drip from his forehead, mixing with tears. Enraged, he tried to keep on punching, but the cold water and exhaustion were catching up.
DANGER DANGER! DANGER ! CLOSE!!!! DARK!!!! AFRAID!!!!
Soon the water had filled the room, no matter how hard he had tried, the door wouldn’t budge, so he slowly drowned. His last breath leaving his pained lungs, as he watched the other side of the door, so close yet so far…
And suddenly everything was overtaken by darkness.
"I'm sorry, May”
***
The citizens of Gotham woke up, got ready for their day, and set out into the world. Some were walking towards their schools, while others were driving to their jobs.
Barbara Gordon was organizing paperwork; Dick Grayson was texting Roy while washing his teeth; Jason was dreaming of talking dogs and a candy kingdom; Cass was enjoying Alfred’s cooking; Tim was cuddling with Bernard; Duke was helping a cat stuck on a tree; Steph was arriving at the Batcave from a busy night, and Damian was feeding Batcow.
Everyone heard the loud boom.
A hole opened above Gotham, a gash in the fabric of reality. From the hole, a metallic thing crashed into the sea just off the shore.
***
Peter awoke, hurting and nauseous, slowly regaining consciousness. Lifting his torso from the ground, he could see that he had awakened on a beach.
His mouth tastes like salt water, his mask was missing, and his wounds hadn’t healed, even the small cuts. Therefore, not much time had passed since the fight.
Peter looked at the gray sky, “That’s odd” he thought to himself.
he would’ve guessed that he had spent at least 2 hours inside the underwater base, so right now it should’ve been dark, but it looked like it was a cloudy morning instead.
Not far from him, he could see the escape pod lying half submerged, its door opened, swallowing water.
He looked at the ground and saw drag marks, somehow, he had entered the pod and even dragged himself out of it. He didn’t remember a thing.
Far away he could see the remnants of the base, covered in small fires, burning despite the ocean.
Man… He was tired.
He wished he could stay on the sand a little longer, but he had to get going, May would be angry if he were late for supper again.