The Amazing Spider-Man of Young Justice (Season 1)

Shocker's Target

Queens, New York; November 12 14:53 EDT

MJ's hands gripped the handlebars of her bike as she navigated the bustling streets of Metropolis. The evening sky glowed with a warm orange. She had promised Liz and Karen she'd meet them at Big Belly Burger. The wind rushed through her hair as she sped down the road, feeling a brief moment of calm.

The city was busy, but MJ had found a rhythm, dodging through the traffic with ease. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Liz had sent another text, so MJ slowed down as she approached a red light. Glancing down at her phone, she quickly typed a response.

I'll be there soon, guys. Save me some fries!

As she was about to hit "send," something caught her eye in the reflection of her phone screen. A shadow, something fast—large and incoming—barreling straight toward her.

Her pulse spiked as her instincts kicked in. MJ revved the engine of her bike, peeling away just as a massive impact exploded into the pavement where she had been standing seconds earlier. She swerved wildly, barely avoiding the oncoming traffic as she shot forward, tires screeching against the asphalt.

The deafening CRASH echoed behind her. She skidded to a stop a few yards away, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she turned to look back.

Smoke and debris billowed from a crater in the middle of the street. As it cleared, a figure emerged—a man in yellow and brown armor, gauntlets crackling with an all-too-familiar energy. MJ's stomach dropped as she recognized him.

The Shocker.

He stood tall, his cold eyes locking onto her. His grin widened as he dusted off his gauntlets. "Hello, MJ."

MJ's heart pounded in her chest. What the hell is he doing here? And how does he know me? she thought, panic tightening her throat. Without wasting another second, she hit the throttle, her bike roaring to life as she shot down the street.

Shocker's sinister laugh echoed behind her, his gauntlets crackling as he powered up. With a powerful blast, he launched himself into the air, his figure disappearing into the smoke.

MJ swerved between cars, speeding through the narrow streets as fast as she could. She could feel him gaining on her, his gauntlets creating massive shockwaves that rattled the ground beneath her.

"Come on, come on," she muttered under her breath, her hands shaking as she gripped the handlebars tighter. She darted down a side alley, the tight space giving her a small advantage. The sound of explosions echoed off the buildings behind her as Shocker followed, blowing apart the walls with his gauntlets, sending chunks of brick and metal flying.

MJ's heart raced. She weaved between cars and alleyways, dodging debris and people. The narrow streets of Metropolis seemed to blur as her panic grew. Her mind screamed for her to escape, but no matter how fast she rode, Shocker was always right behind her. The constant sound of his boots pounding against the ground and the energy blasts from his gauntlets made it impossible to think.

She needed help.

Fumbling with one hand, she pulled out her phone and hit the speed dial for Peter. The phone rang once—twice—before he finally answered, his voice colder than she remembered.

"What do you want?"

MJ barely heard his voice over the roaring wind and her own heartbeat pounding in her ears. "Peter! Shocker's after me!" Her voice was frantic, a mixture of fear and urgency. "He's—he's not letting up. I need your help!"

Silence on the other end.

"Peter, are you listening? I need you! I—" MJ's heart dropped at his silent response. "Peter, seriously? You're just going to let me-"