Spider-Man: Homeless

Ch. 18: Trade

Peter sat on top of the Empire State Building. He had felt like it had been hours since he arrived, which is probably had been.

"Karen, what time is it?"

"It is 5:57."

Peter sat up. The text he had gotten said that they would begin at six. He began to mentally prepare himself for what was to come.

A few minutes had passed when Peter heard a familiar voice.

"Well, it seems that our spider friend got here early." Scorpion said as he emerged from the shadows. "I can't wait for you to see what we have planned for you."

Peter heard the metal wings of Vulture above him and watched as he landed next to Scorpion. "Hey Pedro." He said. "Miss me?"

Peter ignored Vulture as he turned to his left, where Chameleon and Black Cat were approaching. "Looks like the spider came to play." Black Cat said with a laugh.

"There's no outsmarting me this time." Another familiar voice said. Peter looked in front of him to see Mysterio floating.

"Well, Spider-Man. Are you ready to make a trade?" Green Goblin said, approaching Peter. He had Morgan in his arm, her hands tied up.

"Peter, help me!" Morgan screamed.

"Enough of these games, Goblin. I know who you are."

"So, you finally figured it out." Green Goblin said with a menacing smile. "Or did your friend from SWORD tell you?" Peter kept his jaw clenched. "I've been waiting for you to believe her."

"Give me Morgan." Peter said, deadpanned.

"Did you not hear what I said? I'm only here to trade her." Green Goblin stopped and smiled. "For you."

Peter's heart dropped. He was afraid it would come to this, but he still had hope there would be a different way out. But Peter was prepared to do whatever it took to get back Morgan.

"Fine. But if you want me, how will she get home safely?" Peter asked.

"Call someone you trust, but it can't be a her mother or your aunt. Have them come get her, then we'll deal with you."

Peter pulled out his phone and stared at his contacts before dialing a number. He waited while the phone rang until he heard a voice.

"Hello?"

"Hey, MJ." Peter said. "Don't ask any questions, but I need you to come to the Empire State Building to pick up Morgan."

"Okay, Peter, I know you said no questions, but is everything okay?"

"Yeah, just get here as soon as you can." Peter blinked away tears. "And MJ?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, Peter."

Peter hung up the phone and sniffed, wiping away a few tears that had fallen. Green Goblin smiled and handed Morgan to Black Cat. "Give her to the girl when she arrives. And don't cause any casualties." Black Cat nodded and began to make her way to the sidewalk outside the building. "Tie him up."

Chameleon and Scorpion grabbed Peter's arms and tied him up to the side of the building. Peter stared at the villains, no emotions left on his face.

"What are you waiting for?" Peter asked after there was moments of silence. "Just get it over with."

"No, we need something from you first." Mysterio said. "EDITH."

Peter didn't answer. He watched as Black Cat waited with Morgan and saw MJ approaching from a distance. MJ walked over to Black Cat and was given Morgan. MJ took Morgan, and Peter waited until Black Cat was back with the rest of the group.

"Well, are you gonna say anything?" Mysterio asked.

Peter looked up at Mysterio and smirked. "I'm not giving you EDITH."

"Technically, I still have her." Mysterio said, a confused look covering Peter's face. "You never had EDITH take back control from me."

"Then why do you want her?" Peter asked, his voice full of worry.

"With you still in charge of her, I don't have full access to all her uses." Mysterio said. "So hand her over."

"No." Peter said. "You can kill me, but I won't let you hurt innocent people with her."

Green Goblin began to laugh. "You know, we wanted to give you a chance." He said. "But I guess we'll just have to kill you."

"Then you'll never get EDITH." Peter said.

"Actually," Mysterio began, "we will, with you dead, EDITH will fully belong to me."

"No." Peter said, and he began to struggle against the restraints.

"You have no way to defend yourself and no one to save you." Green Goblin said, inching closer to Peter. "Tony Stark can't protect you any more."

Peter struggled as Green Goblin brought he arm back, a knife ejecting from his glove. As he began to bring his arm forward to strike, his arm stopped, being pulled back by webbing.

Peter looked back to see Jessica holding his web-shooters, having used them to stop Green Goblin. She round-house kicked Green Goblin and ran over to Peter, untying him.

"Why are you here?" Peter asked as Jessica handed him his web-shooters.

"To help. Obviously." Jessica said.

Peter got up as Jessica ran at the other villains. He looked over to see Scorpion closing in on him, fast.

"Karen re-engage all defenses!" Peter screamed.

"Defenses re-engaged." Karen said, and Peter began to fight against Scorpion.

While Peter was preoccupied with Scorpion and Jessica was holding off Green Goblin, no one seemed to notice Mysterio sneaking up behind Peter.

Mysterio got closer and was was about to attack when he got blow away by something flying. Peter looked behind him to see Harry on a hoverboard.

"Harry!" Peter shouted, relieved.

"Harry!?" Norman said in a surprised voice, looking up to see his son.

"Sorry dad, but you're wrong." Harry said as he went to fight Vulture.

The fight continued, people throwing punches, kicks, machines and blasts at each other when Jessica got near Peter.

"I'm gonna call for back up." She said.

"Back up?"

"The cops. News. Reporters. Anybody that will help stop this fight."

"How will you do that?" Peter asked, dodging a punch from Chameleon.

"I have a friend." Jessica said.

...