“I’m going to crush you, Spider!
And then I’ll be the hero!” Electro charged once again.
Peter dodged with ease, deliberately leading the fight toward the East River at the edge of Queens.
He kept taunting his opponent, keeping Electro’s attention locked entirely on him to minimize civilian casualties.
Just as they neared the riverbank, Electro suddenly shot a precise arc of electricity, severing Peter’s web-line.
Peter lost his balance and crashed heavily to the ground.
A sharp pain shot up his leg; the bone was likely fractured.
Electro hovered above him, laughing triumphantly.
“I’m stronger than you!
You’ll always be a loser, Spider!” Peter rubbed his leg and rolled his eyes.
“Can I ask a question before I die?
Do you like water?” Electro froze.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Peter fired a web-line, wrapping it around a nearby fire hydrant, and yanked hard.
A high-pressure column of water erupted into the air.
Peter kicked off a wall with his uninjured leg, leaping away from the falling water.
“You think this can—” Before Electro could finish, the current overflowing from his body made contact with the water, instantly creating a massive electrical feedback loop.
“Ahhh!” Electro convulsed violently, dropping straight out of the air.
“That’s basic physics.” Peter fired two web-lines, pulling Electro toward him and landing a heavy uppercut right on his chin.
Electro went flying.
Peter leaped onto a streetlight and, looking down from his perch, rapidly fired webbing, wrapping him from head to toe.
Dazed and disoriented from his own shock, Electro couldn’t break free immediately.
But soon, the high heat radiating from his body began to melt the webbing, sending up plumes of white smoke.
Peter jumped back down to the ground and broke open four more fire hydrants in succession, flooding the entire street.
He quickly swapped in a fresh web shooter cartridge.
“Your cheap webs can’t hold me!” Electro struggled, burning through most of the webbing.
“Maybe not, but I can still make it hurt.” Peter wrapped his right hand in a thick layer of webbing and scaled the wall, pushing through the pain in his leg.
The instant Electro broke completely free, Peter leapt down from above, slamming a full-force punch right into his face.
With the sound of cracking teeth, Electro lost control and plunged headfirst into the flooded street.
*Zzzzt—* The massive electrical current surged through the water and backfired, shocking Electro with his own power.
Knowing the villain would die if this continued, Peter shot a web, hanging him upside down from a streetlight, and bound him securely with thick, insulated webbing.
Looking at the still-steaming Electro, Peter’s scientific curiosity kicked in.
How could this guy store so much electrical energy in his body without dying?
He walked over to a wrecked car by the curb, twisted off a broken headlight bulb to use as a makeshift test tube, and collected some blood dripping from Electro’s split chin and gums.
Sealing the opening with webbing, he slipped it into a hidden pocket.
His curiosity satisfied, Peter immediately swung back toward the center of the incident.
Order was being restored at the scene.
He saw Felicia helping an elderly man.
Relieved, Peter swung into a dark alley and changed back into his civilian clothes.
Five minutes later, he ran back to the scene, out of breath.
“Felicia!” “Peter!” Her eyes reddened when she saw him.
Peter pulled her into his arms, holding her tight.
“You scared the life out of me, kitten.” “I’m fine.
I’m sorry I ruined our date.” “Shut up,” Peter whispered, leaning down to kiss her.
Felicia was taken aback at first, but she quickly closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck.
A burst of cheers and applause erupted around them.
Peter didn’t know if they were celebrating surviving the disaster or cheering for them, but he didn’t care in the slightest.
Rescue workers and police arrived one after another.
After a quick check, Felicia was found to be mostly unharmed.
Peter also spotted three black trucks bearing the SHIELD logo pulling up to take custody of the upside-down Electro.
Fury was indeed watching him from the shadows.
Peter helped Felicia hail a cab to head to the school dance.
But when they reached the school entrance, Felicia stopped.
“What’s wrong?” “My dress is ruined.” She pulled back the jacket Peter had draped over her shoulders, revealing her tattered evening gown.
“I think you look absolutely perfect,” Peter said softly, brushing his lips against hers.
“I’m not going in,” Felicia said, shaking her head stubbornly.
“Are you serious?” “Dead serious.” “That’s a shame.
I wanted everyone to see how beautiful you are.” Peter pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers.
“Oh, so I’m just an object for you to show off?” She arched an eyebrow.
“No, a hero.
A hero who saved lives tonight.” Peter gazed into her eyes.
“I wanted them to see the real you.” “That’s not me,” she said, a trace of insecurity in her voice.
“Keep telling yourself that, kitten.
But I still want to have at least one dance with you tonight.” “I said I’m not going in.” “Then we won’t.” Peter pulled out his phone, scrolled to a slow, gentle song, and pressed play.
He set the phone on a nearby bench and offered his hand to Felicia.
The melody drifted down the quiet street.
Peter slipped an arm around her waist, and she leaned into his chest.
Together, they swayed gently to the music.
She carried a unique fragrance that utterly captivated Peter.
He could feel her breath quickening, their body heat rising slowly in the cool night breeze.
“Everyone says you’re socially awkward, but you’re actually quite the romantic,” Felicia murmured, resting her head against his chest.
“I was just waiting for the right girl.” Peter looked down at her.
She fell silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up.
“Peter…
would you like to go out with me sometime?” “Like, on a date?” “Yes, a real date.” Her eyes were earnest and bright.
“I’d love to, kitten.” Peter smiled.
“Though I didn’t think you were the settling-down type.” “I wasn’t before,” she admitted.
“But you’re different, Peter Parker.
You’re like a jigsaw puzzle I can’t solve.
The more I try to figure you out, the more I can’t stop thinking about you.” “And once you finally put me together, will you lose interest?” Peter joked, though he felt a slight twinge of nervousness.
“Never,” she whispered.
“Good.” Peter chuckled softly.
The two fell silent, simply holding each other tightly as they danced in the street.
The starry sky sparkled above them, as if even time had stood still for this romantic moment.