"Slam it!"
"What the hell do you think I've been doing since Park Avenue?!" A man wearing a ski mask yelled at his partner as he made a hard right turn into a busy intersection.
Screams of fright and panic erupted from pedestrians as those crossing the street instinctively dashed out of the way of the speeding SUV. The two robbers in ski masks, their faces obscured and eyes wide with desperation, barely registered the chaos around them as they fought to escape the relentless pursuit of two police cars hot on their tail.
"Fuck, man! They're still right behind us!" Donald yelled, his voice strained, as he leaned out of the passenger side window, trying to catch a glimpse of their pursuers.
"I'm not worried about them! I'm worried about Big Red!" Cecil, the driver, shouted back, his grip white-knuckled on the steering wheel as he swerved left, veering into the bustling Garmen District. The engine roared beneath them, fuelled by adrenaline as he navigated the narrow streets, dodging honking cars and startled pedestrians.
The Midtown streets were alive with early evening activity, but Cecil's focus was razor-sharp. He weaved in and out of light traffic, eyes scanning for any alleyways or side streets that could offer a temporary refuge from the chasing law enforcement. The flashing lights of the police cars reflected off shop windows, increasing the urgency of their situation. They were crafty, but the police were equally determined, refusing to lose sight of them.
Suddenly, a loud thump resonated on the roof of the SUV, causing both men's hearts to leap into their throats. For a brief, terrifying moment, they exchanged panicked glances, bracing for the worst. But then, relief washed over them as they recognized the familiar figure of Spider-Man, who leaned casually over the windshield.
"Really? Sighs of relief? You do know you're not getting away from me, right?" Spider-Man said, only to quickly dodge as Donald unloaded a hail of bullets, destroying the front windshield of the SUV.
Spider-Man sprang gracefully to the passenger side of the speeding SUV, his red and blue suit glinting in the sunlight. With a swift motion, he seized Donald by the hem of his thick, padded jacket. In one fluid movement, he yanked the man out of the window, sending him tumbling into the air. Donald's panicked scream echoed around them, but just as he was about to crash into the hard surface of a nearby building, a cocoon of shimmering webbing snatched him from the brink, cradling him mid-fall.
"One down," Spider-Man quipped, a hint of humor in his voice despite the tense situation. He pivoted with agility, launching himself toward the other side of the vehicle. His fist connected with Cecil's jaw, delivering a powerful punch that sent the man sprawling into unconsciousness. With a practiced flick of his wrist, Spider-Man tossed Cecil through the open window, mirroring the earlier motion with precision. "And that makes two."
Just then, his gaze darted to the street, and his heart skipped a beat. A small child, blissfully unaware of the chaos, dashed across the road in pursuit of a bright blue ball. Panic surged through the gathered crowd as they realized the imminent danger posed by the oncoming SUV.
Without a moment to lose, Spider-Man leaped into action. He planted his feet firmly against the SUV's front grill. Extending both arms, he fired twin strands of web that shot out and latched onto the sides of two towering buildings across the street. With a powerful tug, he pulled, bracing himself to halt the vehicle's reckless course.
Spider-Man grunted in exertion and carefully slowed the speeding SUV to a stop. The SUV's engine roared as it tried to push on forward, but it was no match for Spider-Man's incredible strength.
The child froze like a deer before headlights as he watched the incoming disaster approaching. His bouncing blue ball was forgotten as it rolled across to the other side of the street.
"Come on! You can do this!" Spider-Man muttered and pressed his feet down, placing incredible pressure on the front two tires of the SUV.
Finally, the speeding vehicle came to a screeching halt a few feet away from the child. Who looked up in awe at Spider-Man as he stepped off the SUV and onto the street. The hero sighed in relief as he looked down at the child.
"You alright, Kid?" Spider-Man asked.
"Uh, yeah… That was awesome." The child said as a woman, in near hysterics, ran up to the boy and grabbed him into a tight hug.
"Oh my god! Ashton! Oh, thank god! Bless you, Spider-Man! Bless you!" The woman cried as she carried her son away. As he was being carried away, Ashton waved at Spider-Man with a small smile.
Spider-Man waved, his silhouette framed against the backdrop of a bustling Manhattan street as applause erupted from the gathered crowd. He glanced around, a warm flush creeping to his cheeks as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, feeling the weight of their praise settle on him like a comfortable but unfamiliar coat.
The jubilant atmosphere quickly shifted, however, when the sharp wail of police sirens pierced the air. He turned, spotting a single police car screeching to a halt behind the sleek SUV he had just helped secure.
"Great work, Spider-Man! That chase could have dragged on for quite a while if it weren't for you," an officer called out, her voice firm yet appreciative as she strode over to the SUV's driver's side. With a gloved hand, she deftly extracted the keys from the ignition, a slight smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. "We've been in hot pursuit for almost six blocks."
"Don't mention it, officer. I'm just relieved that nobody got hurt," Spider-Man replied, a hint of humility in his tone, before he deftly leapt onto a nearby light pole, the world blurring momentarily beneath him. "Alright, I'll leave the rest to you guys!"
Officer Yuriko Watanabe watched with a mixture of admiration and exasperation as Spider-Man gracefully swung away, darting through the maze of skyscrapers before disappearing around a corner. She shook her head, her eyes drifting down the street where her fellow officers gaped at the two criminals ensnared in silky strands of webbing, struggling helplessly several feet above the ground.
"Looks like we're calling the fire department… again," Yuriko muttered, a weary smile creeping onto her face as she began to cordon off the area, her hands moving with practiced efficiency.
High above the bustling streets of Manhattan, Spider-Man swung with exhilarating freedom, the wind whipping past him as he focused on navigating the concrete jungle.
Just as he approached a light pole, his ever-familiar ringtone broke through the rush of adrenaline, a melodic reminder of his dual life. Pulling out his phone, he glanced at the caller ID and groaned, the dread of impending responsibility flooding him.
"Hi, Aunt May! I'm on my way right now!" he exclaimed, instinctively quickening his pace as he swung from building to building, the cityscape flying by beneath him.
"Peter? Where are you? The Stacys and your friend Wyatt are already here! Please tell me you at least picked up the pies I ordered?" May Parker's voice crackled through the phone, accompanied by the clanging of cutlery and the distant hum of lively conversation.
"Uh…"
••o••o••o••
For the most part, Wyatt had always found himself eating alone due to the constant, busy nights of performing his duties as Atomic.
Occasionally, he would join his friends at the Xavier mansion or join Serena and the LaRusso family for lunch or dinner, but those instances remained rare and fleeting highlights amidst his otherwise solitary routine.
So, when Peter extended an invitation for a Thanksgiving dinner at the Parker residence, Wyatt felt a wave of excitement at sharing a family meal on a holiday where eating between friends and family was the norm. As such, he eagerly prepared his own side dish—a savory cornbread casserole. A meal he made himself with his own two hands and without the use of his powers.
However, upon stepping into the inviting atmosphere of the Parker home, he was unexpectedly met with the uncomfortable reality of being seated awkwardly between Ben Parker and George Stacy.
Wyatt had no trouble engaging in conversation with Ben. With his friendly demeanor and genuine interest in Wyatt's life, the older man had unwittingly become a confidant. Their talks often meandered through a variety of topics, and Wyatt usually felt a sense of comfort in sharing snippets of his world, especially since Ben was well aware of his secret identity due to Wyatt having told the man discreetly all that time ago.
Yet, despite the warmth in Ben's presence, Wyatt couldn't shake the uncertainty he felt from being around George Stacy.
Captain George Stacy of the Manhattan Police Department carried the weight of his responsibilities with stern resolve. His piercing gaze often felt as though it could see right through Wyatt, scrutinizing every twitch and nervous glance.
Wyatt had a strong suspicion that George possibly knew he was the one who had escaped police custody all that time ago. But for some reason, he never broached the subject. Moreover, the Captain's instincts might have led him to suspect that Wyatt possessed extraordinary powers, particularly since he had managed to transform the wheels of the police vehicle he escaped when he was arrested at the beginning of his new life.
Well… this isn't awkward at all. Wyatt thought as he, Ben, and George sat in the living room of the Parker family's comfy home.
The two older men were engrossed in the colorful spectacle of the Thanksgiving parade playing on the television, their eyes glued to the screen with a mix of nostalgia and intrigue. Every so often, Wyatt felt their curious and contemplative gazes shift towards him, piercing through the excitement of the parade.
In the other room, the comforting sounds of the kitchen created a soothing distraction for Wyatt. The rhythmic clattering of pots and pans blended with the animated conversations of May Parker, Helen Stacy, and Gwen. Their laughter and chatter rose above the sizzle of something delicious cooking on the stovetop. The warm, inviting aromas of spices and roasted turkey wafted through the air, enveloping Wyatt like a soft, familiar blanket that reminded him of his parents from both lifetimes. This caused Wyatt to smile sadly as he numbly watched the parade.
"So, Wyatt, Gwen tells me you're quite brilliant. How's school going for you?" George asked, turning away from the television.
"School? Well, I dropped out a while ago," Wyatt replied nonchalantly, but he quickly straightened up under George and Ben's gazes. "However, I did get my GED a few weeks ago."
"Why did you drop out of school?" Ben asked.
"I was having... trouble at home that pulled me away from school. It reached a point where I never considered going back. However, I recognize the importance of a good education, so I worked hard and passed all the exams for my GED with high marks. I'm also currently taking a few college courses," Wyatt said.
Ben and George nodded in unison, their expressions reflecting a growing understanding of Wyatt's situation's complexities. George felt a twinge of guilt as he contemplated the sensitive nature of his earlier question. He usually employed a more playful interrogation style when it came to Gwen's male friends, which often led to laughter and banter. However, given the weight of Wyatt's tragic past, he realized too late that his question hadn't been well thought out.
Meanwhile, Ben leaned closer, his demeanor warm and inviting. He offered Wyatt a reassuring smile that conveyed empathy and support without the need for words.
"As long as you recognize the value of education and that you're working hard to earn one, the specifics don't matter," Ben said before leaning back in his recliner. George nodded and glanced at the front door.
"I, uh, wonder what's keeping Peter? You don't think he's run into any trouble?" George said.
"May called Peter ten minutes ago, so he should be here soon. But, you know how teenagers can be—they get easily distracted," Ben joked with a small chuckle as he watched large, cartoonish inflatables of Atomic and Iron Man float by in the parade. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom," he said, leaving the living room.
The large inflatables caught George's attention, prompting him to turn decisively toward Wyatt. "Atomic has established himself as a significant figure in the world. There isn't a single person on this planet who hasn't heard of him, but... I'm curious about how he got his start. His powers remind me of an old case involving two of my officers. One day, the wheels of their police vehicle suddenly transformed into cinder blocks," George said firmly, leaning forward. "From my perspective, what happened that day is very similar to Atomic's abilities. The power to transform an object into something entirely different. What's your take on this... Wyatt?"
At George's question, Wyatt felt a bead of sweat build on his forehead. He slowly turned to the man, unsure how to respond.
Does he know? Wyatt thought as he swallowed the lump in his throat.
"I, uh…" Wyatt muttered dumbly before Gwen walked into the living room, a white apron wrapped around her body. She quickly picked up on the awkward energy in the room.
"Dad! What did you say to him?" Gwen said as she gave her father a pointed look while her hands sat on her hips. "We're supposed to be enjoying each other's company. Not interrogating each other."
George smiled and chuckled at his daughter. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself."
Gwen huffed and walked over to Wyatt. After grabbing his hand, she began leading him to the kitchen. "Come on, Wyatt. We can use your help peeling the potatoes."
"Uh, right," Wyatt muttered as he followed behind Gwen.
"Wyatt," George spoke up right as the two teens were about to walk into the kitchen. "No matter what beginnings Atomic may have had... He's proven himself to be a great hero. A hero that's gained my respect and support."
"What are you talking about, Dad?" Gwen asked. "Wyatt?"
Wyatt blinked at the man's words before a small smile spread across his face. "I'm sure Atomic will appreciate knowing that the Manhattan police captain has his back."
George nodded and turned back to the television just as Ben returned.
"What were you two talking about?" Gwen asked as they entered the kitchen. Wyatt looked over at the large pile of dishes and cook stations and smiled at May and Helen, who greeted him as he walked in.
"Not much. We were talking about the, uh, the silly Atomic balloon at the Thanksgiving parade," Wyatt said awkwardly while washing his hands. He then walked over to the counter where a pile of potatoes sat, waiting to be cleaned and peeled.
"...Really?" Gwen asked skeptically.
"Yeah, really."
At that moment, Peter rushed into the kitchen with three pies in his hands, his face red and covered in sweat. "I'm here! Sorry, I'm late! I totally didn't forget to pick up the pies! What did I miss?"