Spiderman: Venom

Peter had been subdued since his encounter with Spider-Man. He purchased a set of mid-range wireless motion sensors and spent the night as Venom, installing them on buildings surrounding the warehouse. He carefully selected what he considered effective hiding spots on nearby buildings. He couldn't cover the entire area, but the sensors were enough to alert him if anyone started snooping.

Next, he set up reinforced metal rods wrapped in copper wire along the interior and painted over them, forming a large Faraday cage to block any external signals. He sourced some broken transmitters online and repurposed them as a signal jammer, tuning it so it would only affect the warehouse. This prevented anything from being broadcast in or out.

Spider-Man had visuals but no audio, and a white noise generator would have been too loud to cover the entire roof, so Peter abandoned that idea. Instead, he purchased infrared light strips and installed them along the warehouse roof's edges. While invisible to the human eye, these lights would illuminate anyone attempting to film using a low-light or infrared camera. If anyone complained, he'd simply remind them they had no reason to be filming his warehouse in the dark anyway.

Looking around, Peter considered doing more, but lacking funds and not wanting to overdo it, he stopped there. Too much security could backfire by attracting attention and prompting questions about why the place was so protected.

Everything was now connected to an app on his phone, so he'd get alerts if anyone lingered on nearby rooftops. He now had reasonable control over everything going in and out of the warehouse. Gwen and the other residents would be secure—possibly a bit inconvenienced, but safe if anyone attempted to spy again.

Matt had been right: Peter received a letter from the school district summoning him to a hearing scheduled for late May, the week before school closed for summer break.

When the day came, Peter and his aunt went to a different high school for the meeting. Holding it at Midtown High was considered inappropriate, so a smaller district school hosted the hearing.

As they waited, a tall man with short blond hair and a goatee entered and sat at the opposing table. Peter noticed his aunt tense as she recognized him and leaned over to whisper, "That's Flash's father, Harrison Thompson. What could he be doing here?" But Peter saw Harrison glance over and smirk.

When the board arrived, Peter, his aunt, and Harrison all rose as the board members seated themselves at a row of tables in front.

"Good evening. I'm School Commissioner Antony Sullivan. We're here to address the case of Peter Parker and Eugene Thompson. I see Eugene isn't present; is there an explanation?" Mr. Sullivan asked.

He was an older Black gentleman with white hair and a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. Peter recalled seeing him on TV once, receiving a sizable donation from Harrison Thompson.

"Mr. Commissioner, my son is injured, and with his athletic career, his doctor advised he stay off his leg until fully healed. I'm here on his behalf and have documents he would have submitted, as well as a doctor's note requesting he not suffer any further distress caused by Peter Parker," Harrison said as he stood. The commissioner gestured, and Harrison handed a letter to a court clerk, who then passed it to the commissioner.

"This evidence is notarized. We accept it. Mr. Parker, do you have anything to submit?"

Peter glanced at his aunt, who nodded, squeezing his hand.

"I have some recordings taken at the time of my—"

The commissioner raised a hand. "We already have those, Mr. Parker. We petitioned the NYPD and obtained copies, along with your arrest report. Do you have anything else to add?" he asked, removing his glasses.

Peter frowned, realizing he hadn't been asked to bring additional evidence. "No, sir."

The commissioner replaced his glasses. "Very well. Given the evidence presented by both parties and considering today's additional submissions, I see no grounds for Peter Parker to remain at Midtown High School. His actions have traumatized a promising football player. Therefore, as of today, May 29th, it's our decision that Peter Parker is expelled from the New York School District."

Peter sank into his seat, stunned. "Aunt May?" He looked at her in confusion, but she patted his hand.

"It's fine. Don't worry," she said, smiling.

"But… they…"

She shook her head. "It's fine."

"Mr. Parker, do you have any words of remorse? Anything to show this board you're truly regretful?"

A cough interrupted, and a well-dressed man stood up. "Actually, I do, Mr. Commissioner." The commissioner removed his glasses and glared at the speaker.

"This room is sealed to the public. Clerk, please escort this man out," he directed, but the man raised a hand.

"I'm Matthew Murdock of Nelson and Murdock, representing Peter. And here..." Matthew, in his usual suit but with a tidier tie and brushed hair, held a cane in one hand and a stack of envelopes in the other. "Peter, could you pass these out?" He handed him the stack, each envelope addressed.

As Peter walked around, he gave each recipient their envelope. "These are for you."

"This is highly irregular," Mr. Sullivan remarked as he and others opened the envelopes.

Matt smiled. "Congratulations, you've all been served. I'm representing the Parkers and several other students in a class-action lawsuit, alleging that Harrison Thompson conspired with the board and the vice principal to elevate Flash at others' expense. My client was repeatedly bullied and assaulted, and a falsified police report blamed him."

Harrison Thompson scowled, tossed his letter on the table, and stormed out.

"This hearing was a sham, and we can prove it was. I've already filed the necessary paperwork. I'll see you all—including ma'am—in court," Matt said with a wide smile. "Mrs. Parker," he added, nodding to her.

Peter turned to his aunt. "You planned this, and that's why…"

She patted his hand and smiled. "That's why you came here without extra evidence. We both knew what was happening. We can discuss it later."

"In light of this, we feel—" Mr. Sullivan began, but May shook her head.

"My lawyer has advised me that this board has no authority over my nephew. Until a real court resolves this, we won't accept its ruling. Good day, Mr. Sullivan." Aunt May stood, took Peter's hand, and led him out of the school.

Matt had coached her on handling the board, and it was the only reason she'd allowed Peter to face them. As Peter walked around the room, he handed each named person an envelope. "These are for you," he said.

"This is highly irregular," Mr. Sullivan commented as he and the others opened their letters.

Matt grinned. "Congratulations, you've all been served. I'm representing the Parkers and several other students in a class-action lawsuit, in which Harrison Thompson conspired with all of you, along with the vice principal, to promote Flash at others' expense. My client suffered relentless bullying and assault. You even falsified a police report to make him appear at fault."

Harrison Thompson glowered, threw his letter on the desk, and stormed out.

"This hearing was a farce, and we have evidence to prove it," Matt continued with a wide smile. "I've already filed the case. I'll see you gentlemen—and lady—in court." He nodded toward Mrs. Parker. "Mrs. Parker."

Peter looked at his aunt in surprise. "You planned this, and that's why…"

She patted his hand with a smile. "That's why you came here without anything extra. We knew how this would go. We can discuss it later."

"In light of this, we feel—" Mr. Sullivan began, but May interrupted with a shake of her head.

"My lawyer has advised me that this board has no authority over my nephew. Until the issue is settled in an actual court, we won't recognize this decision. Good day, Mr. Sullivan." Aunt May stood, took Peter's hand, and led him out of the school.

Matt had already prepared her for handling the board, and it was the only reason she'd allowed Peter to face them.

Outside, Matt waited next to a car. "Mrs. Parker. So, how did they take it?"

May stepped forward and hugged him. "They were furious."

Matt chuckled. "Good."

Peter shook his head, feeling a mix of emotions. He wanted to be annoyed that they'd planned this without telling him, but he knew it wasn't out of spite. It was all about getting the result they wanted, and he had to admit it had been satisfying to see the looks on their smug faces when Matt arrived. "So?"

"Oh, they're in serious trouble, but don't expect to see results right away. Civil suits like this have delays, injunctions, the usual red tape. I'd bet on a settlement with a gag order. They'll want to keep their dirty laundry private." Matt opened the back door. "Come on. We can talk more in the car."

As they drove through the city, Matt explained, "Peter, I'll be honest. If they offer a settlement and it's reasonable, take it. I can work pro bono for you, but the other students may want the settlement instead of a prolonged legal fight."

"Other students?" Peter asked.

"Yes. You, a few others who were cut from the football team because of the vice principal's bias, and a boy Flash assaulted before you joined. About seven in total," Matt said. "I'll send over a file with the minimum amount you should consider. This could take years, Peter. It depends on how much they want to avoid embarrassment."

He sighed. "To be honest, going back to school probably isn't an option. Instead of contesting the expulsion, focus on getting it off your record. Clear it, take the settlement if they offer, and walk away. Once this hits the press, they'll handle the rest."

Peter nodded. "Aunt May?" he asked, and sitting in the back with him, she took his hand.

"I trust Matt. He knows what he's doing. But the decision is yours," she said, smiling reassuringly. "As I said, I don't have to do anything—you're the one who carries this."

Peter nodded, agreeing that getting the expulsion off his record was the most important thing. Even without a settlement, his aunt had enough saved to help him with college and exams.

A settlement would be a nice bonus, but he didn't need it. He had a job and a plan. "I'll take the deal—no record, exams, and a settlement if they offer," Peter said firmly.

Matt glanced back at him. "You're the boss."

At home, Peter made coffee for them both, and May held her cup as if it were precious. Peter could see her worry, and she gave him a small smile as he sat across from her.

"I'm sorry, Peter," she said quietly, raising her gaze to meet his.

Peter smiled. "I get it. I needed to seem vulnerable so they'd overreact. I, uh…" He laughed softly. "I overheard you and Matt talking about keeping me in the dark so I wouldn't be stressed."

Aunt May reached across the table to take his hand. "I'm sorry, Peter. Truly."

He wrapped his fingers around hers. "Why? It was worth it, just to see their smug looks disappear." Leaning forward, he gently rubbed her hand. "I've never been happier, Aunt May. You don't need to apologize."

"I know, but I promised your parents I'd look out for you, and I feel I could've done better."

Peter patted her hand. "I dunno, Aunt May. I've got a warehouse, two tenants, and an amazing girlfriend. I'd say things are looking good."

"Gwen?" she asked, raising an eyebrow over her coffee cup with a smirk.

"Yeah, Gwen."

"Good for you, Peter." May patted his hand, taking her cup again. "Just…be careful."

"I will. Flash doesn't know where the warehouse is, and MJ wouldn't tell him," he replied with a small, cheeky smile.

"That's not what I meant, Peter, and you know it."

He laughed. "I know, I know. But, uh…" He looked down at his cup, spinning it slowly. "Gwen's moving in on the fifteenth, and I'll come back to get my last things then."

"Well then," Aunt May said, "I should make these last two weeks here extra special."

Peter smiled. "You don't have to, Aunt May. You know I'll visit."

"Yes, I'm sure. But before you leave, remember I asked you a month ago to fix the bathroom shelf, you have a pile of laundry to do, and you still need to vacuum under your bed. I have a list of chores you haven't done, Peter."