MTA Chapter 2 - Holy Moral Mission

More Than Amazing

Chapter 2 - Holy Moral Mission

“Peter, these are the years a man changes into the man he is going to become for the rest of his life… just be careful who you change into.”

…

“No. You did the right thing. They would have been killed, you did the right thing.”

“It's not my responsibility, May.”

“Oh. What Norman said? My moral mission?”

“No—“

“—No, no, Peter. You listen—you listen to me. You have a gift. You have power… and with great power, there must also come great…”

…

“Listen to me, son!”

“You’re a lot like your father. You really are Peter—and that’s a good thing! But your father lived by a philosophy, a principle really. He believed that if you could do good things, you had a moral obligation to do those things!”

“That’s what’s at stake here!” Ben spoke to him firmly, pointing a finger at him, “Not choice… responsibility.”

…

-------------------

Peter woke up slowly, a relieved expression on his face as he rose. “Thankfully no nightmares this time.”

He constantly dreamed at night, of an untold amount of scenes and events. Many times they were rather terrible samples of immense physical and emotional suffering.

Of his immense suffering.

It… was not fun.

Not to mention how they first came in after the night of his parent’s death.

That was the worst day of his life. The sudden heartbreak compounded by a multiversal trauma dump made it rather difficult for him to confide in his Aunt and Uncle. 

He couldn’t eat meat for weeks, to the point where they even decided to take him to the hospital—only to end up with nothing. Settling the bills from that checkup had Ben exhausted from overworking… 

The whole cause of that was just from the stress of his visions, and he didn’t want to burden them even more.

So, he bottled them up in himself, no matter how many times he suddenly woke up at night in a cold sweat, or cried himself back to sleep.

He had to be strong, like them.

Like him.

But, even if they couldn’t support him through his visions while awake, they still did while he slept—through those same visions.

Those other Uncle Bens and Aunt Mays, and the countless people who supported and encouraged those other hims. Who made his other selves into people so admirable, and brought light into their overburdened tragic lives.

…But, he didn’t know if he could be like them. He was just a kid, and he could only stand so much. He was already grieving, did he really have to deal with all this too?

He wasn’t some superhero—he wasn’t Spider-Man, he didn’t even have superpowers… he was just plain old Peter Parker.

---------------------------

“Hey, Michelangelo! Finally up?” Ben spoke to him kindly, reading a paper while sitting at the breakfast table.

“Yeah… Morning, Uncle Ben.” Peter replied weakly as he sat down, plate already set for him. 

Although he slept better than usual, he still stayed up rather late, restless from the possible nightmares he could have.

May soon joined them, leaving a glass of orange juice by his side as she passed. 

“Peter, you really need to sleep better.” She spoke softly, observing the tired bags his eyes so often held.

“I’m trying May… it’s just hard.” Peter replied tersely as he slowly picked his food.

She simply reached across the table and rubbed his hand in comfort. “It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it—but, we’re here for you Peter. We always will be.”

Ben had lowered his newspaper as she spoke looking at him with those same kind eyes. He couldn’t help but glance away in shame.

They always did so much for him and he… wasn’t worthy of it.

“I… know. Thank you.” He almost rasped out. 

Breakfast went on mostly in silence until he finished. Peter stood up and took his plate, before against their protest, grabbing theirs as well.

“Peter, you don’t have to do that…” May started, as Ben looked at him sadly.

“No. I do.” 

This was a common routine for them. Ben and May were so kind to him, always doing everything for him. He.. he had to help, some way.

Even if it just made him feel more guilty.

Soon enough, he got himself ready for school and left home for the bus. Slowly walking as he made his way to the stop across his street.

He squinted a bit as the bus arrived, reading the somewhat blurred words of ‘Midtown Middle School’ on the bus as it arrived. 

He held back a sigh as he adjusted his glasses, “Great, my prescription is only getting worse.”

He went to sit at the back, near the rowdiest and most popular kids. The rest of the seats were already taken. As he walked over they all glanced at each other, shaking their heads in denial.

Before eventually, one of the girls moved her bag from the window seat, “Here Pete, you can sit with me today.”

Peter glanced at her thankfully, “Thanks, Sally.”

She just hummed, not commenting in response as he squeezed in beside her.

“C’mon Sally, why are you always so light with Parker?” One of the boys whined. 

Sally merely glanced at the boy before responding, “Just look at him, bullying him is like kicking a sad puppy.”

Peter’s brow furrowed at her words, before he shook his head and looked out the window, ignoring the rest of their conversation.

He wasn't a sad puppy… He was a brooding, burdened young man haunted by tortured visions of pain and destiny. 

Totally different.

“Look! He’s getting that kicked puppy face anyways!”

“…”

---------------------------

Peter doodled at the edge of his scrap paper as he waited for the class to finish, it was testing day and he had been done for… a while now.

He absentmindedly drew a spider web as he thought of his possible future, of that heroic figure always at the edge of his thoughts.

The Amazing Spider-Man.

Just thinking of it made his nerves tense in a mix of emotions. Fear, Wonder, Admiration, Pride… there weren’t words to describe how he felt.

The awe towards the possibility of him being such a great person, was only equaled by the fear of what he had to face.

Fuck, it was terrifying.

…Yet, he wanted to be like that. To be a hero, like him. 

To help people.

Knowing that there was someone so good in the world, made those horrible nightmares so full of evil a little more bearable.

But then he remembered he was Peter Parker, and he was cursed to suffer two fold for any good he did. How that kindness was born from such constant tragedy made him despair at the unfairness of the world.

He wasn’t Spider-Man, and he wasn’t sure if he would ever be. 

He was just some sad, broke orphaned kid, angry at the world for how much it had it out for him.

Finally the bell for classes rang, and Peter left for the cafeteria, to sit and eat all alone with only a library textbook for comfort. 

He didn’t dare to make friends, who knew if they suddenly got into a freak accident and turned into some mutant school shooter?

His awkward self wouldn’t even know how to make friends. He knew that first and second hand.

He finished his food and turned to keep reading his book, a college level biology textbook. He had long since surpassed his peers in study, it was difficult not to—it was basically all he did.

His level of study was something he could personally take pride in. His other selves may have been super geniuses in their own right, but they were always too busy to have a chance to sit down and just learn.

Education was their hobby and passion, science fascinated Peter Parker as much as any web swinging and wall crawling. He was glad he could enjoy it in peace.

His future memories made him take things more seriously as well, he was confident that he had already surpassed those versions of himself at the same age.

Maybe he could even try and catch up with Reed! 

…Probably not. But he could dream, and this wasn’t even his first, or second biology book alone! 

Peter glanced around the cafeteria as he finished his page, catching a flash of blonde hair, and momentarily locking gazes with pretty blue eyes.

Her mixed expression made him quickly dart his eyes away and bury his head back in his textbook with a sigh.

He couldn’t bear to look at her.

She was much better without him.

…

Soon lunch ended and Peter slowly exited the room amongst the last after packing up his heavy book.

There he ran into a commotion in the hallway.

“What, do you think because daddy buys you expensive tutors you can mock me?” A blonde boy yelled into the face of a ginger boy. 

“T-that wasn’t what I meant!” The ginger replied meekly. 

“I’m sure you didn’t! Else you would be in a private school without the rest of us, too bad you’re probably too dumb to stay in one, even with a crutch.” The blonde mocked in reply.

The students watching all hissed at his words, giggling at the humiliated frustration expressed on the ginger’s face.

Peter recognized them, Flash Thompson… and some new kid. But he could infer who he was, the very expensive clothing  was a dead giveaway.

Harry Osborn.

His future sometimes best friend… and sometimes worst enemy. Peter had mixed feelings as he looked at Harry, he could really never predict how their relationship would turn out.

This was the person, who in one world murdered the love of his life… and yet in another, trained relentlessly in the military and SHIELD for years in order to avenge his death.

…It was morbidly funny how both wanted to kill the same person.

He honestly didn’t know how he should treat Harry, although he usually believed involving himself with anyone would instantly curse the other person to a miserable time… he couldn’t say the same for a few people.

They were quite unlucky even without his passive debuff.

Harry was one of them, afterall… with a father like Norman Osborn, was there any hope of a healthy, normal life?

Regardless… he couldn’t stand by and watch them bully Harry. Not only because of who Harry was, or could be… but also because he didn’t want to ever be someone who would stand by. 

He knew the consequences of that choice more than he could ever wish to.

“Not choice… responsibility.” Peter muttered to himself as he stepped forward.

---------------------------

Flash suddenly felt a grip on his shoulder and turned to look at who it was.

Peter Parker, his old preschool playmate. He was dressed in a cheap collared shirt, with mismatched resewn buttons. His scratched up glasses probably couldn’t even let him see properly by the look of his baggy squinted eyes.

They’d known each other practically their whole lives. 

Well, as much as someone could know about Peter Parker. He didn’t allow anyone to know him. Too busy being all sad about himself.

Well, there was someone… once.

“Stop it, Flash. Let him go.” Peter spoke, with tired but determined eyes. 

Flash scoffed at his scrawny form, “What Parker, finally looking to suck up to some rich kid? Probably for the best with you.”

Parker glared at him, about to react—do anything, but then he stopped, blinked his eyes and sighed, “No, I don’t care about any of that.”

“Wow, hear that? Parker doesn’t even care about money. Your poor Aunt and Uncle, they were so nice. They must struggle with an ungrateful brat like you.” Flash scoffed, but with some heat in his voice.

Peter clearly recognized that, but damnit, he didn’t even react the way someone would expect. 

This was why he hated talking to Peter Parker.

Anger, Rage, Frustration? No, just empathetic, kind eyes. 

Fuck, He couldn’t stand it! This was why he couldn’t even hate Parker, he was too nice. Oh, he got angry… but, it was like he could read minds!

Like he knew Flash was just trying to vent.

“I know you’re better than this.”

This self righteous fucker, always acting like he was better than everyone—! He was about to yell out in frustration, but he was cut off.

“I remember when I lost my parents, you always looked out for me. You even tried to get me to join you at lunch and everything.” Peter looked at him, smiling subtly, “I didn’t say it then, but it meant a lot to me.”

Flash was speechless… this was ages ago.

“You're not some bully Flash.” Peter stated as if it was some foregone conclusion, “Is this who you want to become? the man you want to be? You’re better than this.”

“…”

“I know you are.”

Flash dropped Harry to the floor and stormed off, pushing through the stunned crowd. He glared at a sad blonde girl he brushed past, muttering to himself on the way out, “…Like Parker can talk… hypocrite.”

Peter on the other hand, helped Harry off the ground, “You alright?”

“Y-yeah, thanks.” Harry replied gratefully.

But before he could reply further, Peter patted him on the shoulder before walking out after Flash, “No problem, Har.”

“Har? W-wait.” He tried to catch up but someone interrupted him.

“Don’t bother.” He heard a voice beside him say. 

The speaker was a blonde girl with shoulder length hair and piercing green eyes. She was definitely pretty, and definitely glaring.

“What, why?” He replied a bit nervously.

“Peter is too good for us plebians.” She replied with bite, her voice filled with resentment.

Harry felt awkward, he scratched his neck nervously, “So, is he like your ex or something?”

“W-what?! No!” She sputtered in response, cheeks gaining heat. “I used to be his friend… his best friend, then he ditched me.”

Harry felt even more awkward.

The girl seemed to realize this and coughed in embarrassment, “Nevermind that, I’m um—Gwen, Gwen Stacy.”

“Oh, I'm Harry. Nice to meet you, I guess…”

---------------------------

Meanwhile, Peter caught up to Flash who was kicking up the dirt on the field used for recess, right outside the school.

“…What now, Parker?” Flash glared over at him as he spotted him leave the school.

Peter walked up to him before squatting beside him, subtly kicking the dirt back in place, “You alright?”

“What are you, my therapist now?” He groaned in frustration.

Peter just waited for him to speak. 

Flash sighed before dropping to the grass beside them, looking to the side as he spoke, “…It’s just, my grades are failing—and they might kick me off the team.”

“Oh, that’s it?” Peter replied as he plopped to the ground beside him.

“That’s it?! If I get off the team, then I gotta go home early and deal with my—!” He cut himself off, “—Nevermind.”

“…Did your dad start drinking again?” Peter replied, cutting straight to the heart of it.

“—How’d you!” Flash yelled out, before sighing to himself, resigned.“Yeah, he is. I-I don’t want to deal with him, it’s just… not everyone is as smart as you.”

Peter didn’t bring up his dad, which Flash was thankful for. But what he was not grateful for, was his next words, “That’s just the thing, I, the smartest guy in school, don’t even struggle one bit.”

Flash yelled out at him in anger, “This is serious Parker! Don’t rub it in you smug prick—!”

“—Which makes me the perfect person to help tutor you.”

“Huh?” Flash sputtered, “You, who talk to no one—interact with nobody, would do that for me?” 

“Crazy right? But, I think you could use it. Not to mention, I’m grateful, remember.” Peter snarked back, “But, I’m not doing it for free, you gotta pay up.”

“Tch,” Flash replied, “This for what I said about you suckin’ up for cash? Figures.”

“Heh, maybe a bit—but, I don’t want money, don’t care about it. I said so, didn’t I?”

“Then what do you want?”

“Apologize to him.” Peter stated, twisting his self-righteous knife, right into Flash’s heart.

“What? No way, he was talking mad shit—!” But the expression on Peter’s face made him stop, “…Fine.”

He knew Peter was just trying to help, he was thankful… but he definitely wouldn’t say it! “…But then you have to do the same for ‘Gwendy.’”

“…” Peter cleared his throat, “So, anyways—“

“Heh.”

“—You know my Aunt once gave me some advice…”

Peter was glad he could have a heart to heart with Flash. He knew how much the boy tormented his other selves.

His perpetual high school bully.

But then he changed. He went to war, he became a hero, he lost his legs, and he regretted who he was.

He was more than his abusive father, or a malicious bully.

He became someone who Peter admired greatly, someone he was proud to call a friend.

He may have been Spider-Man’s #1 Fan, but… he didn’t know, that Spider-Man was also his #1 Fan.

---------------------------

Later that night, Peter went to take out the trash, leaving his yard and plopping it into the bin.

Then when he turned around, he saw her.

There, at the neighboring house, was a girl sitting on the steps. She had wine red hair and had her head tucked into her chest, as if hoping no one would notice her.

Too bad for her, he would always recognize her. There wasn’t a day he didn’t think of her.

Mary Jane Watson.

His feet had already moved before his mind could catch up. Nervousness? He was so caught up in the moment he forgot such a thing existed.

Then he was right in front of her, and finally noticed her state.

She was crying.

His heart fell into a pit, he hated it. He had to fix it.

“Hey,” He started, startling her, “You alright?”

She looked up, eyes wide at the sudden interruption. He could see the insecurity radiating off her form, “S-sorry, I was—!”

Peter crouched down to look at her at eye level, then gave her a soft smile, “It’s alright.”

They stared at each other for a moment. 

Mary Jane wanted to run away, escape upstairs and away from the boy who came out of nowhere. But then she saw his eyes, and recognized them.

They were the same eyes she saw in the mirror whenever she tried to practice her smile.

Sad eyes.

“You know…” Peter spoke, recalling his conversation earlier in the day with Flash, “Whenever I’m sad, I think of something my Aunt said to me…”

She didn’t know how to react, she could only watch him speak.

“…She said that there’s a hero in all of us. To think of someone who inspires you, so much that you would stand out in the rain for hours just to catch a glimpse of them,” Peter stared at her reddened eyes, “Someone whose strength you could borrow, so you could hold on for just a minute longer.”

Mary Jane thought his words sounded nice, “…Who do you think of?”

Peter smirked a bit, his sad eyes gaining warmth as he spoke, “I think of who I want to be, I imagine my future self—he would never let things keep him down.”

“…Oh, and what does he do?”

“He’s a big time superhero, bright spandex costume and all—even saved the world, multiple times at that. All the ladies love him.” He laughed with his response.

She couldn’t help but giggle at his absurd words, “And who do you think my future self would be?”

“Probably a strong independent woman, one who admires bright and tight spandex suits—well, maybe even a supermodel…” He replied jokingly, before blushing as he lost confidence towards the end.

“—Stop! Hahaha!” Mary Jane broke out into laughter at his sudden shy compliment and expression, “I think, I’ll just think of your future self too!”

“Well, he did save the world a couple times…” He groaned happily, breaking free from his blush.

“Don’t forget that all the ladies love him!” She chirped back sarcastically.

They both broke into giggles at her words. 

“What’s your name?” 

“Peter, you?”

“I’m Mary Jane! But everyone calls me MJ.”

Peter never felt so carefree, and Mary Jane didn’t even notice that she had stopped crying.

Minutes later, when he stepped back inside his house he nearly bumped into his Aunt who was standing by the door.

“Woah, May! What are you doing?”

May just raised her brow and eyed him, “Hmm, I don’t remember saying anything like that…”

“O-oh, what?”

“What was it you said, ‘There’s a hero in all of us?’ You really cheered her up huh?” She grinned as she teased him.

Oh, she couldn’t wait to tell Ben, oh, and Anna! Her niece was so pretty, even Peter was smitten!

Peter just smiled at her happily, even the bags in his eyes seemed to recede from his joy. May was stunned, she hadn’t seen him so happy in years.

“I don’t know… It just sounded like something you would say.” Peter replied cheekily, with a glint in his eye.


Author’s Notes

Probably my most confident chapter ever.

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