▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅

"WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY."

Those were the words that imbedded themselves in the brain of Peter Parker. His late Uncle Ben had said those words to him just hours before his death, and Peter knew that he would never forget them. In fact, he was going to live by it; a kind of mantra that would help guide him with his newfound superpowers. No one else was aware of those powerful words or just how impactful they were to the teen, but he did, and it would be what gave him his strength to continue fighting.

And it would be what prevented him from going after what he wanted.

"Alissa stopped by this morning," Aunt May said, softly smiling at her nephew as she came down the hall. Her glasses were perched on the edge of her nose, a wooly sweater adorning her cold shoulders. The weather was growing colder, and the streets were becoming more popular for late night criminal activity. "She brought a basket of cookies, too. She and Brian made them."

Peter faintly nodded, biting the inside of his cheek as sirens and flashing lights sped past the complex. His eyes darted to the front door and then back to his aunt. She maneuvered into the kitchen, gently humming. "Would you like one?" May asked, peering around the corner, offering Peter a faint smile.

Peter shook his head and stood up. "U-Uh, no thanks. I think—I think I'm gonna go see her." May's eyebrows noticeably shot up in surprise. Peter let out a little laugh, twisting his lips. "If that's okay with you, May. I just haven't really talked to her—"

"Oh, yes! Go, go on," May waved her hand, even going as far as to nudge him towards the door, almost a little too encouraging. Peter made a face at her unusual excitement, but he chose not to comment on it. "Make sure to tell her and Brian we said thank you for the cookies. They're wonderful!"

Peter momentarily paused, stopping himself from tugging on his sneakers. "Did you even eat one?" He questioned the dark haired woman.

May scoffed, opening the door. "No, I didn't, but I already knew they're going to be tasty," she responded. Peter let out a laugh, shrugging on a jacket as he stepped out into the hall. May bit her lip and pulled him in for a hug, exhaling deeply. "Please be safe, Peter."

Peter tightened his grip on the woman. "I will," he said. May knew she could trust him to be good and follow the rules, but little did she know that the boy had other plans that what she was led to believe, and it was the opposite of safe.

But she didn't know that.

With a final goodbye and kiss on the cheek, Peter was heading for the elevator, checking his wrists to make sure his web shooters were full. Seeing they were full and ready to be used, he tiredly smiled and sucked in a deep breath, taking a moment to prepare himself to take on the criminals that were slithering out of the shadows and getting ready to strike.

Little did he know that he wouldn't only be stopping a criminal.

He would also be saving a (very) angry damsel in distress.

° ° °

"Hey, dumb-dumb, do you know—Oh!"

Alissa's eyes enlarged, mouthing forming into an 'O' shape. Her body was frozen in the doorway, hand still tightly holding onto the golden doorknob. Wind fluttered past her, gently blowing some of her wet locks to the side, wet spots seeping into her loose fitted shirt. She bit her lip, averting her eyes from the scene.

"Hey, Ali!" Liz Allan chirped, giggling as she sat next to Carter. Their homework was splayed on their laps, pencils dropped on the floor and paper crumbled beneath their sock clad feet. "Oh, we weren't—"

"It's okay," Alissa interjected, stealing a glance at her brother. He rolled his eyes, shaking his head in disagreement to what Liz had said. Alissa's eyes flickered to the dark haired girl, offering her a timid tug of her lips. "I, uh, was just gonna ask if B's game was tonight."

Liz turned to Carter. "Isn't tonight F—"

"No, no," Carter quickly shook his head. Alissa raised a brow. Carter winked at Liz, subtly telling her something so Alissa was not aware of it. "His game's tonight. We'll be leaving in an hour."

Alissa let out a sigh, nodding and turning on her heel to head back to her room. She gently shut the door, offering the older two one last glance.

Once the door was shut, Liz glowered at Carter. Carter smirked, facing her only to find her expression sour. He pulled his head back, confused. "What?" He asked, letting out a small laugh.

Liz playfully rolled her eyes. "You lied to her," she pointed out. "She's doesn't wanna go to Flash's party. I don't think I do, either."

Carter shook his head and picked up their pencils, tidying up their work space. "It'll be fun," he reassured the girl. He softly smiled, pushing some of her hair behind her ears which made her blush. Carter smirked, his hand cradling the side of her face. "Once you're both there, you're not gonna wanna leave."

Liz brightly grinned, momentarily closing her eyes. Eventually, she nodded, making Carter's grin widen brightly. "Okay, okay. I hope you're right."

Carter scoffed, pulling her into his chest. She let out a squeal in surprise, loudly giggly and wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I'm always right," Carter said.

° ° °

Alissa knew something was wrong the moment they sped passed the exit leading to the arena where Brian's hockey games were held. She didn't say anything yet, thinking that maybe he missed the turn by accident. It wouldn't have been the first time as he'd done it numerous times before. However, he made no notion to turn around or get off at another exit. Liz didn't seem too fazed by it. In fact, she seemed. . .excited, maybe?

The farther they got from the missed exit, the wider Liz's plump and pink smile grew on her face, and that was another reason for the unsettling feeling that had brewed inside of Alissa's stomach. Carters head turned, stealing a quick glance at Liz, an unfamiliar glint in his surprisingly bright brown eyes. He peered in the rear view mirror, doing a double take when seeing Alissa's brows were knitted together and lips were in a scowl. He turned on the blinker, turning onto a familiar street.

"What's wrong, Al?" Carter requested, acting like he hadn't lied to her in order to get her to tag along. Liz tensed up beside him, glancing to her hands that she was fiddling with. She didn't like being part of the lie, and seeing that Alissa wasn't reacting the way Carter had promised, it didn't give her high hopes for what was to come that night.

Alissa's eyes were rolling, going to the window. Girls and boys passed by on the sidewalk, some hand in hand with another. Cans ranging from soda to alcohol were clutched in their hands, smiles on their faces with that hint of excitement that partying brought to the white of someone's eyes.

Alissa did like to party, she would admit that, but not when she had more pressing matters that she would much rather tend to instead. Of course, Carter would disapprove of of her reasoning. He would turn it into a reason as to why she should party.

"You got better plans?" Carter continued to question, nearing the house that was littered with teenagers. Music blared from the opened windows, fumes of cigarette smoke and spilt alcohol fanned through the crowded street.

"Yeah, I do," Alissa snapped, head swiveling to glower at the elder Caverly.

"Like what?"

Alissa sank lower in the seat, averting her burning gaze from her brother. "I got. . . homework."

The car screeched to an abrupt stop. Alissa was thankful she had her seat belt buckled in or else her face would have smacked against the leather of Carter's seat. Liz let out a faint squeal at the sudden halt, grabbing onto the door handle.

Alissa groaned, grimacing.

"What the—"

"Homework?" Carter gasped towards his sister. "You'd seriously pick homework over a party?"

Alissa nodded. "Yes, especially when you only brought me along to be the DD."

Carter paused. "You figured that out?"

Alissa obnoxiously rolled her eyes and undid her seatbelt as did Liz. "Of course, dumbass. When you lie to me and then take me to one of Flash's parties, it's kind of obvious. And no, I won't stay now that were here. I'll just call an Uber."

Alissa swung opened the door and stepped out with an annoyed huff. She was oblivious to the shout from Liz as the older girl hurried out while Alissa went to move across the street. Bright headlights came their way, and Alissa realized it a little too late when her head turned and saw the oncoming blinding lights. Her eyes clenched shut and the car screeched, but not in time.

Well, they didn't think so.

A firm arm wrapped around Alissa's waist and swung her a few houses down the street. The girl grabbed onto whatever had saved her, tears threatening to spill from her eyes as her heartbeat loudly rang in her ears. She couldn't even hear the voice telling her it was okay nor did she feel her feet being planted on the ground once again.

"—hospital or something?"

Alissa blinked, instinctively pulling away. She frowned at the feet she was staring down at, her eyes slowing trailing upwards. Her eyes widened when she saw the supposed Spider-Man standing before her, mask hiding his true identity.

Alissa gasped, taking a step back.

Down the street, her brother and Liz—and witnesses—hurried after to check on the girl, and meet the neighborhood hero.

"Are you okay, Miss?" He questioned in concern. Alissa shook her head, blinking quickly. His voice was much higher than she anticipated.

"I, uh, I-Thank you?" Alissa said, although it came out more like a question rather than a genuine thank you. He didn't take it personally.

"You're welcome," he said. Alissa narrowed her eyes when he spoke.

There was something about him that felt odd, or maybe familiar.

She wasn't quite sure.

"Just doing my daily damsel in distress save. So—"

"Hey, I'm no damsel in distress," Alissa defensively snapped. "I didn't need your saving, Spider-Boy."

He let out a sigh. How hard was it to remember the name Spider-Man? Not Spider-Boy, not Spiderling, and not Web-Man: Spider-Man.

"Spider-Man. . ." He softly corrected.

Alissa rolled her eyes, opening her mouth to say something else when shouting was heard. She turned her head, realizing her brother was leading a pack of teens towards her and Spider-Man. She looked forward again, realizing the hero was already gone and swinging back in the same direction he'd came from.

Something was off about that bug boy. She wasn't sure if he just gave her a bad feeling, or if she felt a sense of familiarity, or even comfort, when she was with him for those few minutes of their interaction. She didn't know it, but she would figure it out soon enough.

At least, she hoped that she would.

Maybe then she could forget all about school and then focus back on Peter like she tended to do.

° ° °

So here is the last chapter of act one! I'm not too sure about it, but I hope you all still liked it!

I really don't have much else to say despite feeling like I'm supposed to be mentioning something else, but anyway, don't forget to leave your feedback in the comments and I hope you enjoyed!