Chapter 2: A Quiet Day Out
After getting into the car and pulling out of the driveway, Peter's nerves finally began to settle. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. The fresh air helped calm him, and he felt a bit more grounded.
"So, how was school yesterday? Anything interesting happen?" Aunt May asked.
Peter froze. "Shit, I don't remember much school stuff from my Last life and definitely nothing from yesterday, was not here then." he thought.
"Uh, not really," he said, hoping it was a good enough response.
"Really? Nothing? You're not trying to keep anything from me, are you?" she said jokingly.
"Oh, uh, no. Everything was normal," he replied, scratching the back of his neck.
"Are you sure? You seem a little distracted."
Peter shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his palms sweaty. "Yeah, I'm sure," he lied.
"If you say so," Aunt May said, a hint of doubt in her voice.
She turned on the radio, filling the car with music. They drove for a while, the scenery changing as they left the suburbs. After a few songs, the car pulled into a parking lot, the store's bright lights shining through the windows.
Peter got out of the car, the fresh air greeting him once more. He breathed deeply, the smell of exhaust fumes filling his nostrils.
"These new senses are a real pain in the ass" he thought as they entered the store.
Immediately, Peter's eyes were assaulted by bright lights and garish displays. The sheer amount of information his brain was receiving was overwhelming. Every movement, every sound, every smell... it was almost too much. He shut his eyes tightly and clenched his fists, taking deep breaths.
"Hey, are you alright?" Aunt May's voice pierced through the noise, her soft hand gently touching his arm.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, opening his eyes.
She looked at him, her brows furrowing in concern. "Are you sure? You look pale."
"I'm fine," he assured her. "Just... tired."
"You know you can tell me anything, right? If something's bothering you, I'm here."
"I know," he said, forcing a smile.
"Everything is just really strange since yesterday, maybe I'm getting sick" He said to his aunt who looked worried.
"You should take a break" She suggested, her warm and loving hand on his forehead.
"No, I'm good. Let's go" Peter said, and went on.
"Okay," Aunt May said, getting on his left side, looking worried.
They headed to the men's clothing section, the rows of clothes seeming endless.
Peter's head began to throb, the noise becoming unbearable. He winced and pressed his fingers against his temples, hoping to ease the pain.
"Maybe this was a bad idea," Aunt May said, grabbing a nearby rack. "We can do this some other time if you're not feeling well."
"No, it's fine. I'm fine," he said, his voice strained.
She gave him a skeptical look.
"You search some good stuff for me, I really don't have a good eye for clothes anyway" he said and went into one of the changing rooms.
Once inside, Peter sat down on the bench, closing the curtain. He took several deep breaths, his heart pounding. Everything felt so strange. How could he explain what was happening? He wasn't sure himself.
"Is this what being born feels like?" he thought, staring at his hands. "I mean, everything seems like Im feeling it for the first Time, like a newborn" He wondered, feeling the fabric of his clothes.
"Peter?"
Aunt May's voice echoed in the changing room, the worry evident in her tone.
"Yeah?"
"Are you okay?"
"Yes," he answered, rubbing his forehead.
"Okay, I'll be done soon. Just hang tight."
"Okay," he responded, leaning against the wall.
He closed his eyes and took a few more deep breaths, the pain slowly subsiding. He wasn't sure how long he sat there, his mind racing, but after a while, his headache finally faded away his eyes and ears getting used to the sounds and lighting"
"I think my new spider Powers are messing with me" He thought and looked around the changing room.
"I have to get used to this somehow, Maybe there's a way I can turn it down a bit" he thought, but suddenly got an Idea.
"System, is there a way to turn down my spider Senses and strength, so I don't crush or break stuff every time I move"
"Yes" The system replied.
"Please, do that"
Suddenly, a strange feeling enveloped him. His whole body tingled, his muscles loosening. The headache dissipated, his mind clearing. He could hear Aunt May moving about, the shuffling of clothes, the clicking of hangers, her gentle humming.
Peter sighed, a wave of relief washing over him.
"Host, Your Powers are now Sealed to the Human Limit, They only come out when you need them, which decide your Spider senses" The system said, and he smiled.
"Thank you" he said, and suddenly noticed the changing room was a lot cleaner than it was before.
"Seams like My eyes also got better through my Powers, could see every dirty spot here" he thought, and his mind wandered off again, thinking of ways he could train himself to use his powers.
"Hey System, is there a way to improve myself without the system"
"Yes, there are many ways. Host can either buy Skills, Train, or Use special Items"
"What are those skills, and how do they work"
"Skills are special abilities that can be acquired through various means. They are divided into Passive Skills, Active Skills, and Special Skills. Some skills can only be learned through the system, others are available to all, and the rest can only be found in specific locations or obtained through unique circumstances. The system can help Host with finding these skills."
"Good to know, By the way, Do I have a Status screen?"
"Yes"
"Show it to me, please"
The blue screen popped up in front of him and read:
_________________________________________________________________________________
Peter Parker
Active Powers:
- Spider sense (Passive/Special)
- Max Human strength and durability (Passive)
- Max Human Speed (Passive)
- Max Human agility (Passive)
- Wall crawling (Active)
- Organic Web shooting (Active)
- Enhanced metabolism (Passive)
- Enhanced healing factor (Passive)
Sealed Powers:
- Superhuman strength and durability (Passive)
- Superhuman speed (Passive)
- Superhuman agility (Passive)
- Superhuman senses (Passive)
-Invisibility (Active)
-Electric Discharge (Active)
- Venom Sting (Active)
_________________________________________________________________________________
"Wait, Invisibility, Electric Discharge and Venom Sting? These were not Abilities that I Thought would be on that List, Two of them I know from Miles Morales, but what is Venom Sting?" He talked out loud into the empty changing Room.
"Host, the Venom Sting is an ability acquired when the user consumes the poison sac of a venomous creature. This ability allows the user to inject venom into an enemy, either to paralyze or kill them. You obtained it as part of your spider-related abilities package deal."
"Oh, that's... a very specific way to gain an ability. But I already have it, so cool, I guess. So, if I bite someone and inject venom, they'll die?"
"Host, Not quite, only a lot of the venom will kill the enemy, till then it will stay in their bodies and make them go insane."
"Well, that's one way to kill someone" He thought, being slightly disgusted by this Ability.
"Host, it is strongly suggested not to bite prey to inject venom, as the teeth are too close to the brain and that could pose a dangerous Opening in a fight. Instead, you are advised to use your spider fangs for this purpose."
"Spider Fangs?"
"Host, Yes, they are two retractable Fangs at each of your knuckles."
"Wow, didn't know that, but wait, wouldn't it hurt a lot to sting someone, I mean... for myself"
"The venom will numb pain and stop bleeding for the Host as soon as the Fangs are diploid, but yes, To get them out of your skin it will rip through it and that will hurt"
"I see, but still, this is an awesome ability" he thought, being a bit happy with this.
"Host, it is strongly recommended not to use them as primary weapons. While they are made of your superhuman bones, they are also connected to your nervous system due to the biological poison release mechanism and therefore have pain receptors. Additionally, they are biologically designed for stinging, not slashing, unlike claws such as Wolverine's. As such, they are most effective as surprise weapons."
"Okay, so don't bite people and use my fangs as sting weapons. Got it"
"Peter, are you talking to yourself?" Aunt may asked through the curtains.
"No, No, just thinking out loud" Peter answered.
"If you say so, but could you try on some clothes. You've been in there for a while and I think I got some that would suit you well"
"Sure" Peter answered, and opened the curtains, seeing his aunt with some clothes in her hands.
"Here, try these on. They are a bit different from your usual stuff, but I think you'll like them" she said, putting them on the little table and closing the curtain again.
"Thanks" Peter said, looking through the pile.
"Looks like she has some fashion sense" he thought and saw some shirts, jeans, shorts, and jackets, most of them having a style that he also liked in his last life.
After some changing, he stepped out into the hallway to show the Outfit to his Aunt.
"Peter, did You grow again, because this seems too tight" She said, and you saw how her eyes also slowly traced up your Pants and shortly stopped at the big bulge that went down one leg, before checking out the rest of the Outfit.
"Yeah, I think I got a Growth Spurt. What I got with me here was the only thing from in there that fit me well." He answered.
"Oh, okay. So we need to get you a different size, These don't look too good on you anyway"
"Okay, can you pick them up again, I still don't feel that great" He lied.
"Sure" She answered, and grabbed the clothes, leaving him back alone in the changing room.
"Now, System, I have a question about the Invisibility and Electric Discharge Power. Can I only use those powers if I have all my Sealed Powers active, or can I also use them with the others are still sealed?"
"Host, With the Invisibility ability, You can hide your body from normal human eyes, but not from technology, such as cameras. With the electric discharge, You can fire lightning at your enemies," The System Answered.
"Well... Good to know, but that wasn't the Question. Again, can I also use them with the others still sealed?"
"Host, no, You can't"
"Why is that"
"Host, because you will become unstable and might not survive the strain, these abilities are not made for Max Humans but for Superhumans. That's why they are sealed with the other powers—so you won't die."
"Well, fuck. But I guess I have to train with the sealed powers anyway if I want to become Spider-Man. Just means I can't use them in my day-to-day life."
He nearly said it out loud, as the curtains opened up again and his aunt stood behind them, looking at him with a frown while holding some clothes.
"You're mumbling, sweetie. You sure you're alright?" she asked, her face concerned.
"Yeah, I'm alright. Just a bit overwhelmed, you know," he said.
"No, I would stay home in your place. But anyway, here are your clothes, young man," she answered, slightly pissed, and walked out of the changing room.
Peter sighed and grabbed the clothes. He got changed and left the room, seeing his aunt looking at him with an annoyed expression, waiting for him.
"I'm done. Can we pay now?" he asked, looking at her with puppy eyes.
"No, I want you to pick something else. I don't like those clothes," she said sternly.
"You chose them, remember" he mumbled.
"Excuse me" she said.
"Nothing, let's go" He answered, and searched now together with his aunt for more clothes, picking things he actually liked and that fitted him well. After nearly an hour, they went to the checkout, and the lady at the desk scanned the items.
"That'll be $220.40," the cashier said.
"Wow, that much?" Peter exclaimed, looking at his aunt.
She nodded, and swiped her card.
"Take it as an early Birthday Present, You can't run around in the same outfit or to small clothes every day, can you now" she asked sarcastically.
"No" he answered, a bit flustered that he made his aunt so angry because she was worried about him. That he knew he wasn't stupid after all.
After that they went to the car and drove into the traffic, the air a bit tense between them. After a few minutes of silence, Peter looked at his aunt.
"Aunt May, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry so much," he apologized.
"I know, but I'm just worried about you. Ever since the accident, you've been acting strange."
"It's just a lot to process, you know," he lied.
"I know, but you can talk to me about anything. I'm here for you."
"I know," he said, smiling a bit. "Maybe not such a bad idea," he thought. "She was a great help to Peter in the movies, after all."
"Anyway, we need to get groceries, and it's getting late," she said.
"We still have a long day ahead of us, and we need to make the best of it," she added.
He nodded and leaned against the window, the scenery passing by, thinking about all the knowledge he didn't have about this world, this boy he now was, and the life he had. Was he dead, and he reincarnated into an empty vessel or did he kill this universes Peter Parker and took his body, all questions that he had no answers to and didn't know if he ever would.
Soon, they pulled into the parking lot, the bright lights of the grocery store greeting them. They exited the car and made their way inside, the cool air blowing through the entrance.
"Well, that's all. Now we just need to pick up some few single things, and then we can go home," Aunt May said, pushing the cart.
Peter nodded and followed her through the aisles. She grabbed the necessary items and placed them in the cart. After a while, they were finally finished and made their way to the checkout, where the cashier began scanning their items.
Suddenly, Peter's Spider-Sense flared, sending a sharp jolt through his body. He quickly looked around and spotted a man wearing a mask and holding a gun, heading straight for them... a robbery.
"Nobody moves, nobody gets hurt!" the man shouted, waving the gun. Everyone in the store immediately cowered down, fear written on their faces.
"Shit, shit, shit. I can't do anything right now," Peter thought, his heart racing as he sat on the ground with Aunt May in his arms. He watched as the gunman pointed his weapon at the cashier.
"Put all the money in a bag," the man demanded harshly.
Peter's mind raced.
"What should I do? Can I Even do Anything? Should I do Anything?"