Spider-Man perches on the roof of a decrepit warehouse, watching the activity below through a skylight. His enhanced senses picked up the operation hours ago—the smell of chemicals, the vibrations of movement, the faint hum of equipment.
Down below, figures in dark clothing move methodically between shipping containers. Crates labeled "Medical Supplies" are being opened, revealing vials of a luminescent purple liquid.
SPIDER-MAN (through comms to M.A.R.I.A.):
"M.A.R.I.A., can you identify that substance?"
M.A.R.I.A. (AI Voice):
"Preliminary analysis suggests a performance-enhancing drug. High probability: Trigger. Recommendation—alert authorities immediately."
SPIDER-MAN (thinking):
Trigger. That's bad. Really bad. This isn't just street-level dealing. This is organized.
He's about to move when—
A figure lands silently on the opposite side of the roof.
Spider-Man's spider-sense screams.
He turns, tensing, ready to move. But the figure doesn't attack. Instead, they stand there, silhouetted against the moonlight. Long dark hair. A dark capture weapon wrapped around their body like a scarf.
ERASERHEAD (calmly):
"I was wondering when you'd show up. Your patrol patterns are predictable."
Spider-Man recognizes him immediately. Aizawa Shouta. Eraserhead. Pro hero. Underground vigilante by night.
SPIDER-MAN (cautious):
"Eraserhead. Didn't expect the meet-cute to be here."
ERASERHEAD (dry):
"We need to talk about what's down there. But first…"
Eraserhead's eyes glow faintly—his Quirk activating.
ERASERHEAD (cont'd):
"…let's establish something. Who are you?"
SPIDER-MAN:
"You already know I'm Spider-Man. That's enough."
ERASERHEAD:
"That's not what I'm asking."
Spider-Man feels the weight of Eraserhead's stare. It's like the hero is looking through him, reading something beneath the mask.
ERASERHEAD (cont'd, quietly):
"How old are you?"
Spider-Man doesn't answer immediately. The silence stretches.
SPIDER-MAN:
"Does it matter?"
ERASERHEAD:
"Yeah. It does."
Another pause.
SPIDER-MAN (finally):
"Fourteen. I'll be fifteen in a few months."
Eraserhead closes his eyes for a moment. When he opens them, there's something different in his expression. Not anger—concern.
ERASERHEAD:
"You're a kid."
SPIDER-MAN:
"I'm capable."
ERASERHEAD:
"I'm not arguing your capability. I'm stating a fact that concerns me."
He turns to look at the warehouse below.
ERASERHEAD (cont'd):
"But you're here. And so am I. And down there is a Trigger distribution operation that needs to be shut down. So here's what's going to happen."
He looks back at Spider-Man.
ERASERHEAD (cont'd):
"We work together. On this. Just tonight. And then we talk about how this is going to work going forward. Because I know you, Spider-Man. I've been watching you for months. You're smart, capable, and completely reckless. And right now, you're about to do something stupid."
SPIDER-MAN:
"I had it under control."
ERASERHEAD:
"You were about to rush in alone against a coordinated operation run by people with Trigger-enhanced abilities. That's not control. That's a death wish."
Spider-Man wants to argue, but he knows Eraserhead's right. The operation is too organized, too well-protected. Going in solo would be risky.
SPIDER-MAN:
"What do you propose?"
ERASERHEAD:
"I go in through the front. My Quirk neutralizes their enhancements temporarily. You hit the supply caches from above and secure the evidence before they can destroy it. We contain the operation, we call in the authorities, and we get out clean."
SPIDER-MAN:
"And if it goes sideways?"
ERASERHEAD:
"Then I back you up. And you back me up. Simple."
Spider-Man considers this. Working with a pro hero—especially one like Eraserhead—goes against his M.O. But the man's right. This operation is bigger than he thought.
SPIDER-MAN:
"Okay. We do this together."
ERASERHEAD:
"Good."
⚡ Scene: Inside the Warehouse – 3:12 AM
Eraserhead drops down through the main entrance, his capture weapon already in motion. The moment his eyes glow, three of the dealers tense up—their movements suddenly sluggish, their Quirk-enhanced reflexes neutralized.
DEALER 1 (panicked):
"The hell—?!"
ERASERHEAD:
"You're done."
His capture weapon wraps around the first dealer, immobilizing him instantly.
From above, Spider-Man moves with surgical precision. He slings between the high beams of the warehouse, firing web canisters at the Trigger vials. The webs secure them in place before any dealers can grab them.
A dealer notices Spider-Man and pulls out a gun—but before he can aim, a web line yanks the weapon away. Spider-Man flips down, delivering a precise strike to the dealer's midsection. The man crumples.
SPIDER-MAN (via comms):
"South side secured. Two dealers down, supply crates webbed."
ERASERHEAD (via comms):
"North side's clear. Four in custody. Moving to the main cache."
Spider-Man swings toward the center of the warehouse where the largest cache of Trigger is stored. But as he lands, a figure steps out from behind a container—a man with bulging muscles, veins pulsing with purple liquid.
Trigger-enhanced.
TRIGGER DEALER (roaring):
"You bugs aren't taking our supply!"
He charges at Spider-Man with inhuman speed and strength. Spider-Man barely dodges, his spider-sense keeping him a fraction of a second ahead. But the dealer's power is real—each punch leaves cracks in the concrete where Spider-Man was standing seconds before.
SPIDER-MAN (thinking fast):
He's faster than the Rhino. But less tactical. I can use that.
Spider-Man leads the dealer in a circular pattern, firing webs to create obstacles. The Trigger-enhanced man crashes through them, but each one slows him down fractionally.
Then Eraserhead arrives.
His eyes glow, and the dealer stumbles—the Trigger enhancement suddenly nullified. Without his Quirk boost, he's just a large man. Spider-Man takes the opening, delivering a powerful kick that sends the dealer flying backward into a stack of crates.
The man doesn't get up.
ERASERHEAD:
"Nice work."
SPIDER-MAN:
"You too."
They quickly secure the remaining evidence and call in an anonymous tip to the police. Within minutes, sirens are wailing in the distance.
ERASERHEAD:
"We need to leave. Now."
They exit through a side entrance, slipping into the shadows just as the first police cars pull up.
🌃 Scene: Rooftop – Safe Distance – 4:02 AM
They stand on a rooftop overlooking the warehouse as police and hero support vehicles arrive below. Eraserhead's capture weapon is loose around his neck, and his hair is slightly disheveled from the fight.
ERASERHEAD:
"That went better than expected."
SPIDER-MAN:
"We make a decent team."
ERASERHEAD:
"We do. Which is why we need to set boundaries."
He turns to face Spider-Man directly.
ERASERHEAD (cont'd):
"I won't get in your way if it's just us. If you're operating in the shadows, doing what you do—I won't interfere. But the moment something becomes public, the moment civilians are at risk on a large scale, I will try to stop you. And I won't hesitate."
SPIDER-MAN:
"Why?"
ERASERHEAD:
"Because you're a kid. Because you're talented, but you're not trained. And because I've seen too many talented young people die because they thought they were invincible."
There's weight to his words. Experience. Loss.
SPIDER-MAN:
"I can handle myself."
ERASERHEAD:
"I know. But you don't have to do it alone. If you ever need backup—real backup, not just some pro hero trying to take you in—you know where to find me."
He pulls out a burner phone and hands it to Spider-Man.
ERASERHEAD (cont'd):
"Use this. Only for emergencies. And don't abuse it."
SPIDER-MAN (taking the phone):
"Why are you helping me?"
ERASERHEAD:
"Because the system is broken. Because there are people that need saving, and not enough heroes to do it. And because I see potential in you—potential that shouldn't be wasted."
He pauses.
ERASERHEAD (cont'd):
"But you need to be smarter about this. Better gear, better planning, better awareness. You're doing good work, but you're going to get yourself killed if you keep playing solo."
SPIDER-MAN:
"I'll be careful."
ERASERHEAD:
"No, you won't. But maybe having this phone will help."
He turns to leave, then stops.
ERASERHEAD (cont'd):
"One more thing. What's your actual name?"
Spider-Man hesitates. Giving his real name to a hero—even a semi-ally—is a huge risk.
SPIDER-MAN:
"Just spider-man
ERASERHEAD (nodding):
"Aizawa. Shouta Aizawa. Try not to die, ."
He wraps his capture weapon around himself and launches into the night, disappearing into the darkness.
Spider-Man stands alone on the rooftop, holding the burner phone. He turns it over in his hands, processing what just happened.
SPIDER-MAN (thinking):
A semi-ally. Someone who knows I'm a kid and is still willing to help. That's… actually good.
But it's also a complication. Another person who knows. Another variable I didn't plan for.
He tucks the phone away and heads toward home, exhaustion finally catching up with him.
🏠 Scene: Midoriya Household – 5:30 AM
Andrew slips through his bedroom window just as the sun begins to rise. His body aches from the fight. His left shoulder is bruised where the Trigger dealer caught him.
He removes his suit and hides it, then collapses onto his bed.
ANDREW (thinking):
Eraserhead. Aizawa. A pro hero who knows I exist and won't interfere… as long as I don't make things public.
That's actually the best-case scenario. But it means I need to be more careful. More strategic.
Because now someone else is watching. And if I screw up…
He doesn't finish the thought. Instead, he pulls out his notebook and starts making notes about the Trigger operation, the dealer's strength levels, and ways to improve his web-shooter design to handle Quirk-enhanced threats better.
Sleep can wait.
There's work to do.
📺 Scene: News Broadcast – Morning
NEWSCASTER:
"Breaking news from last night: A major Trigger distribution operation was dismantled in the industrial district. Police arrived to find the suspects already apprehended and the supply secured. While authorities remain unclear on who is responsible, sources suggest the involvement of at least one pro hero. Spider-Man's involvement, if any, remains unconfirmed."
At Aldera Middle School, Izuku watches the news on a TV in the hallway, his hero analysis notebook in hand.
IZUKU (thinking):
Another successful operation. Spider-Man's been busy. But something about this one feels different.
The tactical precision, the coordination with law enforcement… this wasn't just stopping a robbery or rescue. This was a planned operation.
Who is training him?
He doesn't notice Andrew walking past, already changed into his school uniform, looking tired but focused.
ANDREW (thinking):
One step closer. One person helping. One ally in the system.
But the real test is coming. AFO is watching. The Nomu are getting stronger. And I'm just getting started.
He heads to class, unaware that the year ahead will test him in ways he can't yet imagine.
📝 End of Chapter 2