Marvel's Kid Arachnid: Vol 1

saving new york

A certain weightlessness settled in Harper's body as they flew through the air like a bird using their wings for the first time. Their arms flailing about, they tried to regain their barrings. The neon storefront lights shone on them like a spotlight in the middle of a stage. This was their most candid performance.

Everything was in slow motion. For a moment, Harper could see everyone staring at them, their forms akin to mere ants from so high up. When time resumed, they heard their worried shouts and concerned voices. They saw them raise their phones. Recording what could've been Kid Arachnid's demise.

And then, Kid Arachnid aimed and pressed the button on their webshooter, and their body jolted up.

They flew up above the city streets, taking flight, seeing the city from a bird's-eye view. They went so high up they thought they could grab a star.

Coming back down, Arachnid shot another web, now swinging in between the cars rushing away from Times Square. Their feet stumbled against the pavement until they picked up speed and swung up again, their body defying gravity.

They hopped from car to car. In between buildings. Ran up windows. Embraced their newfound freedom and hope. Each shout and exclamation held the very childlike nature Harper tried so hard to hide, but now, they could express it without judgment.

Because they didn't care.

This was true freedom. This was Harper spreading their wings.

This was Harper.

As they landed on a rooftop, Kid Arachnid removed their mask and took a few deep breaths of precious air.

Still panting, they smiled. They hadn't felt this carefree in a long time. Their chest felt light. Any fear in their heart had morphed into courage.

They peered down at the street and snapped back to reality as they saw the result of Scorpion's escapade. There was still work to be done. And plenty of it.

But the first step was to alert the media.

So, Kid Arachnid swung down and jumped on the street. Spotting a news van, they picked up the pace and threw themself in front of the camera.

"Oh!" The newswoman exclaimed. "We have a surprise guest-"

Harper quickly interjected. "Kid Arachnid here! Everyone please stay inside and be careful, stay away from Times Square because Scorpion might have a bomb and he also might have hostages- I'm not very sure yet but me and Spider-Man have got it covered!! Alright, Kid Arachnid OUT!!"

-

Kid Arachnid returned to Times Square. They swung around the perimeter, still getting used to web-slinging, but improving. They perched on the Number One Times Square building and carefully watched.

They didn't know what to watch. They were simply...watching.

Everything was quiet. Way too quiet, Arachnid thought.

They felt a tingling sensation in their skull and whipped their head around, a moment too late.

Kid Arachnid tumbled down the side of the building, almost like when they were swinging, then grabbed on the advertisement board, desperately, their heart pounding like mad. When they finally managed to stick on, they realized who had just tried to kill them.

"Hello, little spider," Scorpion rasped.

"Scorpion."

"Where's your dad, little spider?"

Kid Arachnid pressed their palms to the board, making sure they could stick. They felt their body tremble under Scorpion's scrutiny.

"It's just us," they answered.