Spider-Man: Vigilante 3

Chapter Twenty

Spider-Man made it home. The symbiote disappeared off of Peter. Peter went inside with a smile. He was glad to be home. He was tired from stopping crimes all day. Peter headed downstairs. "Hey Peter." Said Victoria as she walked over to Peter. "Hi Victoria." Said Peter as he walked past her. Victoria crossed her arms. "Can we talk?" Asked Victoria. Pete turned around. He looked annoyed. "Can't this wait till tomorrow?" Peter asked and he turned around and headed to his room. Victoria had a disgusted look on her face. "No it can't. We need to talk now!" Peter turned around and looked kind of angry. "What's this about?" Pete asked. "It's about you." Said Victoria. Peter looked confused. "About me?" Peter asked. "Yes. I'm worried about you." Said Victoria. Peter walked towards Victoria. "Victoria, I can't believe you're still upset about me being the new Spider-Man and saving the city! I thought you understood that I have a responsibility to use my powers for good." Victoria uncrossed her arms. "Peter, it's not just about you being Spider-Man. It's about the way you're using your powers. Ever since you got that symbiote, you've become more aggressive and reckless. You're putting innocent people in danger!" Peter looked down at the ground. The voice in his head started talking. "We are protecting the city." Said the voice.

"The symbiote gives me power, Victoria. It makes me stronger, faster, and more capable of protecting the city. I can't just ignore that and go back to being a regular Spider-Man!" Yelled Peter as he got closer to Victoria. Victoria became more worried about Peter. "But at what cost, Peter? The symbiote is changing you. It's making you lose control and act out of anger. You're hurting people, both physically and emotionally. Is that really the kind of hero you want to be?" Peter looked at Victoria in disbelief. "I'm doing what needs to be done to keep the city safe. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made. And besides, the symbiote is a part of me now. I can't just get rid of it." Victoria couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You're not thinking clearly, Peter. The symbiote is manipulating you. It's clouding your judgment and making you lose sight of what's truly important. You're becoming a danger to yourself and to others." Peter chuckled. "I can handle it, Victoria. I know what I'm doing. The symbiote gives me an edge, a power that I need to protect the city. I won't let it control me."

Tears began to fill into Victoria's eyes. "Peter, I'm scared for you. I'm scared of what the symbiote is doing to you and how it's changing you. You're my cousin, my family, and I don't want to see you become a monster." Peter just smiled at what he heard. "I'm not a monster, Victoria! I'm still the same person, just with enhanced abilities. I'm still fighting for justice and doing what's right." Victoria couldn't believe what she was hearing. It just kept getting worse. "I don't know if I can believe that anymore, Peter. The way you're acting, the way you're hurting people, it's not the hero I know. I can't support you if you continue down this path." Victoria's tears began to run down her face. Peter didn't even care. "Fine, Victoria. If you can't support me, then maybe you should just stay out of it. I have a responsibility to the city, and I won't let anyone, not even you, get in my way." Peter just got angrier and angrier. Victoria was hurt. She didn't know what to do.

Victoria got even more upset from the way she was being treated. "Peter, please. Think about what you're saying. Think about the people you're hurting and the person you're becoming. Is this really the hero you want to be? Peter looked down at Victoria. Peter got into Victoria's face. "I don't need your approval, Victoria. I know what I'm doing. And if you can't accept that, then maybe we're better off apart. Victoria was shocked at what Peter said. "Peter, I don't want us to be apart. I just want you to be safe and to make the right choices. Please, think about what you're doing. Think about the consequences." The symbiote reappeared onto Peter as he looked back at Victoria. "I'll think about it, Victoria. But right now, I have a city to protect. And I won't let anything or anyone stand in my way." Spider-Man then left the house.