Silk & Cologne | Miguel O'Hara

Chapter 9 - Arena

After a grueling 24 hours of practice, training, and a quick strategy meeting, the evening of Miguel and I's sparring match arrived.

Gwen helped me practice and perfect most of my move sets, Peter B. helped me plan various strategies in actually fighting against Miguel. With Miguel's tall, large structure, Peter knew right away that I wouldn't be able to charm him as easily as I did with him. Plus there wasn't any way he'd let me get close enough to him. The rules did say No holds bar . So what if instead of forcing the enchantment, I gave it to him?

Not only that, but who's to say I couldn't use it on myself?

After he helped me plot my scheme, Hobie brought me over to see Margo where she helped design some new toys for me to use and created a concept for my very own spider suit.

I didn't want to give Miguel the impression that I'd make him completely change his mind about me being an actual Spider-Woman, but if I was going to be running around and using my powers here, I might as well look the part, right? I asked Margo for a simple concept and she more than delivered. She had designed it so that it looked like street dance wear, but I could feel the spandex hugging my skin as I walked into the training area that evening.

My suit had a black and pink colour scheme inspired by my favourite K-pop group BLACKPINK. A pink crop top hoodie with a gray spandex tank top underneath, black spandex leggings and matching black and pink high top sneakers.

When I walked closer towards the arena, I noticed a small crowd had gathered. It looked like word had gotten out fast about tonight's event. Peter B. Hobi, and Gwen were there, smiling as I neared them and offered cheers and words of encouragement. I smiled at them as I walked passed and looked over to see Miguel standing at the entryway, waiting for me.

He finished his stretching, his muscles straining against his suit as he nodded his head in a greeting. I could immediately feel the pressure bottling up inside the pit of my stomach. I must have practiced and rehearsed everything at least a dozen times back at the hotel. Peter suggested I try playing into my strengths, so I thought of the whole thing as a big dance practice. I just hope it actually works.

"So, the normal rules, right? No holding back?" I asked as I walked over to a monitor and added our names to the register. The current duo fighting in the arena had wrapped up their fight, congratulating one another as they made their exit.

They briefly exchanged looks with Miguel, eyes widening through the eyelids of their masks as they realized who were up next. Miguel rolled his shoulders, warming himself up again. There was almost always a crowd whenever he was down here. Mostly Miguel trained by himself and rarely spared in the arena unless it was with Jessica, or any other Spider he deemed challenging enough to take on.

"No holding back. It's not fun if there aren't any stakes," He teased with a half smile.

I could tell he was eager to get started. I wasn't sure how much he had been made aware of my training and recent practice with Gwen and Hobie through his security cameras. Would this new idea of mine not work out? Had he already formulated a plan to counter me?

As much as I was nervous, I couldn't deny I saw a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes before he materialized his mask over his head. There were butterflies in my stomach as those red optics peered at me.

"Alright then," I nodded as I watched him be the first to enter the arena. I took a steady breath, feeling more eyes trail towards me before I slipped on my mask, pulling my hair tied through the pony tail opening in the back of the mask.

I followed Miguel down the steps as the platforms and obstacles of the sparring arena reset to their original positions. I cracked my knuckles, a nervous habit. I looked around to see more Spider-People had gathered to watch the match. A gentle reminder that Miguel was a force to be reckoned with, and that if he was here, they'd be in for a show.