THE TWENTY-YEAR-OLD student was sitting behind a limousine. He had headphones on and was blindfolded, along with his hands being duct-taped. He wasn't being kidnapped or anything...but was part of a simple hazing ritual.

The perpetrators, Doug, Travis, and Grant, stopped by a hotdog stand to grab a bite. Doug was putting ketchup on his snack as Travis waited by the limousine.

"We'll leave him in the Bronx somewhere."

Grant chuckled. "We gotta teach these plebes they aren't Sig-A-Kai worthy."

"Guys!" Travis called out. "I'm getting loseritis."

"Sorry, bro, you're on geek duty," Doug replied. "It's a rented limo. We have to make sure he doesn't wet the seat or something."

Travis scoffed and looked into the limo. The young man frantically looked around and spoke despite being unable to hear the bullies.

"You shouldn't have done this..."

The bully shoved his head with a laugh. This enraged the student.

"I'm so sick of this sort of thing!"

"Whatever." Travis said and got out.

Inside, he shifted out of his seat and went toward the front. Travis called out to Doug.

"Doug, he's squirming around back there."

"He's not going anywhere."

Suddenly, the student unthinkingly turned the engine back on and pulled back the gear. He stepped on the gas and floored it down the street. The three bullies looked on in shock.

"Uh..." Travis rubbed his head. "Wrong."

The blind and hearing-impaired student was now operating the limousine. Fortunately, he was able to avoid cars and pedestrians, but that luck would soon run out.

He went over a curb before crossing an intersection and skidded, causing him to hit a taxi. The inertia caused him to hit his face on the steering wheel and knocked him out. Unfortunately, his foot was still on the gas, and the limousine kept speeding down the road.

A few blocks away on a rooftop, Y/N was getting out of his Spider-Man suit. He had his mask off and started removing his boots, but his spider-sense suddenly went off.

The flashes of the scene played in his head, and he looked over his shoulder. Y/N closed his eyes and let out an exhausted sigh.

"Great."

The limousine kept speeding through the street, hitting cars and crossing busy intersections. Spider-Man swung toward the vehicle and landed on the top of it.

"When do people learn?" Y/N muttered. "This is New York. Nothing beats the subway."

He peeked through the window and saw the unconscious man. Y/N immediately recognized him as a fellow student and classmate of his.

"Max Dillon?"

Y/N punched the windshield but didn't do so hard enough to shatter it, only cracking it. The limo swerved to the left and went over the sidewalk, thankfully avoiding pedestrians.

The turn caused Y/N to fall off the car, but he caught himself and used his momentum to swing his legs toward the cracked windshield and break it open.

Spider-Man put his hand on the wheel. He now had to try and drive the vehicle himself.

"Let's see, I'm backwards, so turning left means..."

He turned the steering wheel left, which caused the limo to make a hard right at an intersection. Incoming cars braked hard to avoid them and honked their horns.

"Sorry!" Y/N exclaimed.

The limousine went through a closed road and into a construction zone. Y/N looked back and saw they were speeding toward a large hole filled with wet cement.

"Oh, crap."

The limo fell in nose first and started sinking. Spider-Man opened the trunk and spoke through it.

"Hang in there, buddy."

At the same time, Max was starting to wake up. He used his bound hands to take off his blindfold and headphones finally. He looked around in shock.

"Uh...wha—What the?! This is concrete!"

Y/N got Max and brought him out through the back of the limousine. He held onto him and swung off the sinking vehicle. Y/N sat Max on a steel beam above as police made it to the scene.

"You okay?" Spider-Man asked the mumbling student. "You have any idea who did this to you?"

He wasn't replying. Y/N removed a part of the duct tape around his wrists, and Max ended up ripping off the rest.

He was so furious at the situation. About being bullied once again and being taken advantage of. In anger, he slammed his fists onto the nearby beam.

"Argh!"

Y/N MADE IT back to campus. He had taken off his costume and ran along the roof of the science building. He peeked off the edge, seeing only a few people walking across the courtyard. Sneakily, he climbed down and went through an open window.

Y/N ran across the empty hallway and made it to the double doors at the end of it. He quietly and carefully opened it not to alert the professor, who was facing the whiteboard in the middle of her lecture.

"We then follow this with a sodium borohydride reduction. Does anyone know what the result of—"

"Ether?" Y/N asked, now sitting at a seat in the first row.

She arched a brow. "Excuse me?"

"The result is ether, Dr. Williams."

"Yes, Mr. L/N." She walked up to the desk and leaned against it. "The result is ether, but that doesn't change the fact that I find lateness completely unacceptable."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "I apologize. I...overslept."

"For a 3 o'clock class?"

Some students in the classroom chuckled. Once again, Y/N was the center of attention and the butt of a joke because of his tardiness.

"Um, I think I need a new alarm clock."

Dr. Williams shook her head. She walked back to her board and spoke to the rest.

"All right class, please review your periodic tables for tomorrow and be prepared to discuss oxidation."

As if she had the time calculated, the bell rang. They all started to leave the classroom. Dr. Williams faced Y/N again.

"Will you be joining us, Mr. L/N?"

"Uh...y—yes, ma'am."

She nodded and walked back to her desk. Y/N took in a breath and let it out before picking his stuff up and leaving as well.

Randy walked down the hallway with Y/N after running into him moments ago. Their following classes weren't until a couple of hours, so they had time to burn.

"So I spoke to Jameson about giving me an actual job, not just the freelance stuff I've been doing."

"And what they say?" Randy asked.

"He laughed and said McDonald's is hiring all shifts."

"Dude, all the fries you can eat."

Y/N chuckled and shook his head. Randy continued.

"The old man will come around. I'm sure my dad has put in a good word for you many times."

"I honestly wish he was my boss," Y/N said. "Well, he already is, but like, the boss boss, you know?"

Randy nodded. "Maybe one day."

Suddenly, their short Latina friend came between them and hooked her arms around theirs. It took them by surprise.

"Hey, guys!" Indira greeted.

"Hey, Indy." Y/N replied.

She looked at Randy. "Wow, is that Randy Robertson awake before 6 PM?"

He smirked at her joke. "Come on, you confuse me with Harry. I'm always the early bird."

"There's a Sigma party tonight. You there?" She asked him.

"There's a party?" Y/N also asked.

She didn't respond. Randy answered her.

"Yeah, I'm there. You?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm definitely party-deprived."

"Uh, hello?" Y/N asked again. "There's a party?"

They stopped by the stairs. Randy and Indira turned to him.

"Come on, Y/N," Indira spoke. "Anytime anyone asks you to do anything, you're like...unavailable."

"Not always." Y/N replied.

"Ah-ha. All right." Randy cleared his throat and began to move his hands animatedly. "Hey, Y/N, there's a party tonight at the Sigmas. Want to come?"

Y/N let out a sigh. Again, he forgot that he needed to do some patrolling later that night. He made his way down the stairs.

"Can't. Gotta study." He looked back. "How about if I come late?"

Randy and Indira chuckled at the top of the stairs. The former shook his head.

"He's not coming."

"I'm serious." Y/N called from below.

Indira smirked. "He is so not coming."

"Yeah, a Y/N thing, ya know?" Randy replied.

"Hello? I said I'm coming. What am I? Invisible?"

His friends kept laughing at the top of the stairwell. Y/N shook his head and left the area.

• • •

THE YOUNG MAN was in the courtyard getting a cup of coffee from a stand. The vendor had a television, and the news was currently talking about the limousine incident that happened hours ago.

"Police are questioning Spider-Man's involvement with the runaway vehicle."

Y/N scoffed. "Give me a break. Just a little one, even."

"Dude needs a publicist." Someone said behind him.

Y/N turned around and saw that it was Max Dillon. He now sported a bruise over his eye. Y/N was surprised to see him.

"He does?" He replied loudly but then lowered his voice. "I mean...does he ever. Are you okay?"

"Depends on how you define okay," Max replied as he dropped some sugar into his coffee.

Portrayed by Jack Champion

"For starters...uh...what happened here?"

Y/N pointed at his bruise. He already knew how he sustained the injury but had to act like he didn't.

Before he can answer, the news report on TV detailed the incident further.

"It appears a young college student from Empire State University was trapped inside the vehicle."

Y/N turned to Max. Again, he acted like he was clueless.

"You were there?"

"That was me in the car." Max said as he walked away and angrily threw his cup into the trash.

Y/N followed. "Man...who would do that?"

"I don't know. I couldn't see or hear on account of the duct tape and stupid headphones. They nabbed me in the alley right over there. So I wouldn't be surprised if it was some asswipe on campus. It sure is full of them."

Y/N took in his words. Max sighed and turned to him.

"You know, Y/N, this whole college things feels like high school all over again. For once, I'd just like to be...I don't know...not be a human piñata."

"Yeah...you know what they say: College is just high school with ashtrays and booze."

Max turned around and saw three guys coming their way. He beamed at the sight of jock Doug Reisman. Max didn't know that he was the guy who hazed him earlier.

"Look, there's a guy who knows cool."

Max walked toward them. Y/N tried stopping him but he didn't listen.

"Max..."

He went up to Doug, who stopped in front to him. The jock was kind of annoyed to see the student.

"Hey! Uh...hey." Max spoke.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah...um...I'm Max! Max Dillon. I'm pledging you guys. I mean...I'm hoping to pledge into Sigma. Rush week and all."

Y/N rolled his eyes and went up to them. He put his hand on Max's shoulder to try pulling him away but brushed him off.

"Well...Sigma's a great house." Doug replied. "You definitely should give it a shot."

Y/N knew the jock was just giving him false hope. He tried to pull Max away but was brushed away again.

"Yeah, yeah. I was just like saying hey and all that." He continued speaking to Doug.

Y/N shook his head and let him be.

"Sorry, what was your name again?" Doug asked him.

"M-Max Dillon. Heh."

"Ah. Max Dillon. We're having a little soiree tonight. You shouldn't definitely come by."

"What?" Travis reacted, surprised by the leader's proposal.

"Bring some food. Uh...a nice casserole would be lovely." Doug added.

"Really?" Max was shocked.

Doug shook his head. "No."

Max still chuckled.

"Cool. Heh, I'll be there, man. Thanks."

Y/N went up to Max. "Come on, Max. Let's go."

Max seemed annoyed by the young man's constant attempts to make him leave.

"I'm talking to people." He shot back.

Doug looked at Y/N and caught his glare.

"Is there a problem?" He asked Y/N.

"Actually, I think the problem was starting to go away."

The three jocks surrounded him and Max backed away. Doug got in Y/N's face and scowled but smirked before turning back around.

Suddenly, Y/N's spider-sense blared. Doug turned back around and threw a punch. Everything was in slow motion for Y/N.

Y/N dodged the hit and countered with a knee to his abdomen. Doug stumbled back as his two friends balled their fists, ready to fight Y/N too.

Travis charged at Y/N, but he leaped over him and caused him to run into Grant. They fell to the ground with a groan.

People began to notice the scuffle and looked on at the scene. Y/N looked around and saw the many eyes on them.

Y/N knew that it'd be strange seeing a book-smart guy like him effortlessly beat the jocks. He even thought of his father's words about power and responsibility. He had the power to destroy them...but that didn't mean he had to.

Y/N simply put his fists up in a weak guarding position. Doug turned to him and was ready to swing again. Y/N simply closed his eyes and let it happen.

Doug punched him across the face, and Y/N fell to the ground. The jock chuckled.

"That's what I thought."

At the same time, Flash came by with MJ. They saw Y/N on the ground with Doug and his posse over him.

"Hey!" Flash exclaimed. "What the hell?"

Doug looked at him. "Ain't your business, Thompson."

MJ spoke. "You don't have anything better to do than being a bully? This isn't high school anymore, asshole."

The jock scoffed and even stepped up to the girl. "And who the hell are you?"

Although MJ could've held her own against Doug, Flash wasn't having it and didn't appreciate his threatening demeanor toward her.

"You better step the hell back before things get ugly for you."

Doug looked at him and then at the people around them looking. He snickered and looked back at Y/N on the floor.

"Remember your place."

He walked away with his posse. Max just looked at Y/N before leaving and following them. Y/N saw this and let out a sigh.

Flash went over to help his friend up. Y/N dusted off his shoulders and looked on at the jocks leaving the area.

"You okay?" MJ asked him.

"Yeah." He simply replied. "I'm all right."

"Forget those assholes. They just think they're the big dogs of the fraternity." Flash said.

Y/N nodded. He also appreciated the fact that Flash stood up for him. It was a far cry from how he acted toward him in high school. People surely can change for the better.

"Thanks." He told them, then chuckled. "I could've taken them on, though."

Flash snickered and patted his back.

"Yeah, sure. Come on, let's get out of here."

With that, the three friends walked away.

• • •

AT THE OSBORN penthouse, Harry served himself a martini in the bar area. Although he still had a year left until the legal drinking age, he didn't care.

With him in the room was also Y/N. He was looking through some books he had on the shelf nearby. Harry walked by as he swirled his drink around.

"Hey, Harry," Y/N spoke. "007 just called. He wants his life back."

"Osborn. Harry Osborn." He joked and took a sip of his martini.

"Speaking of which, Mr. Suave Bola. I can't believe you're in the same fraternity as that loser Doug Reisman."

After finding out that Y/N was in a fight with Doug, Harry mentioned that he was in the same fraternity as him. And just like Y/N, Harry also thought he was an asshole.

Harry walked away as he spoke.

"It's a time-honored Osborn family tradition: join an obnoxious fraternity, learn the people skills necessary to one day take the reigns of a large corporation, and start having martinis every night before dinner."

"That's a great story. Can you tell it again?" Y/N replied sarcastically.

"But of course, things change. Some things come...out of nowhere. Take you by surprise. And then you don't know what to do..."

There was a grumble in his voice as Harry said that. Unbeknownst to Y/N, he was still thinking about seeing MJ holding Y/N's hand at the pizza place a couple of weeks ago. He hadn't forgotten about it but acted like he was oblivious to it.

"So..." Harry composed himself and continued. "I just accelerated the process."

"Whatever." Y/N replied as he held a book in hand.

Harry finished his drink and turned to his friend.

"You sure you don't wanna come to the Sigma Alpha Kai party? I know one of the hosts literally punched you, but it's still going to be fun."

Y/N shrugged. "I guess it could be nice."

"Then come on. What else are you going to do tonight?"

"I don't know. Study for Professor Williams's class." He held up the book he had. "Read some Jack Reacher."

Harry's lips sputtered. "Pfft. Just watch the damn movie."

"Meh. I heard Tom Cruise wasn't as good in it."

"Suit yourself." He adjusted his collar and went to the door. "You know, Indy and I got a bet going. I've got $30 riding on you not showing up. For some reason, she believes in you."

Harry waved goodbye and left the penthouse. The young vigilante just stood there, looking down at his book and then out at the skyline through the floor-to-ceiling window.

• • •

MUSIC BLARED WITHIN the frat house. Blueish purple lighting also illuminated the inside and set the tone for their party. Transportin' by Kodak Black was currently playing.

Randy, Harry, Indira, MJ, and another friend, Angela, were together in the living room. Nearby, they saw Max Dillon, who was just standing around rather awkwardly and trying to spark conversation with people who passed by.

"Who's Mr. Lonely Island?" Harry remarked as he looked at him.

"That's Max Dillon," Indira replied. "He's in a chemistry with Y/N and I."

"And from what I hear...he's trying very hard to get into the fraternity." Randy added.

MJ shook her head. "Poor dude."

Harry took a sip of his drink.

"Dude needs to get laid." Harry turned to Angela. "You've been scoping out. How does he fair on your list tonight?"

Angela chuckled. She was very open with her romantic life and was sex-positive.

"Hilarious, Osborn," Angela said. "But I don't sleep with just anyone."

A couple more people came into the house, and the group noticed someone else appear behind them. It was Y/N who, surprisingly, did decide to show up.

The young man also sported an outfit they had never seen him in. It consisted of a sleek black slim-fit t-shirt, accentuating his physique and biceps, and some jeans.

It differed from the baggy long-sleeve shirts he would often wear. The look got the attention of a few women in the room...as well as his three female friends.

"Is that Y/N?" MJ asked.

"Holy shit. He actually made it." Randy remarked.

"Damn. Guess you win the bet, Indy." Harry shook his head and turned to the girl. "Uh...Indy?"

The girl was still staring at Y/N across the room, still captivated by his look. Harry nudged her, and she finally snapped out of it.

"Uh, wha—What was that?"

Randy stifled a laugh. Meanwhile, Angela was more open to speaking her thoughts.

"Oh, yeah. He's at the top of my list." She said.

MJ chuckled. "You're too much, girl."

Y/N caught sight of them and waved. He went up to the group.

"What's up?"

"Your aura, that's what," Randy remarked and dapped him up. "Glad you can make it."

Y/N snickered. He also greeted Harry and the girls, giving them friendly hugs.

"Just thought it'd be nice to have some fun for once." He said. "Decided to put Jack Reacher on hold."

"Like I said...there's always the movie." Harry said.

"Meh, Tom Cruise isn't that good in it." MJ remarked.

"That's what I heard." Y/N replied.

"Amazon Show is much better. Season 4 is coming out soon."

"And it's good?"

"I like it."

Y/N nodded. "Hey, if you think it's good, I'll give it a watch."

They both laughed. The minor interaction between them seemed to have rubbed Harry the wrong way. He downed his drink and excused himself.

"I'm getting another."

Y/N just arched a brow and watched Harry leave. Despite the strange moment, the friends continued to enjoy the party.

Meanwhile, Max Dillon was still on his own at the party. He suddenly caught eye of a girl talking with her friends. She glanced back at him and smiled to such he smiled back.

But before he could talk with her, someone grabbed his shoulder. He turned around and saw a man wearing a brown robe with his face hidden underneath the hood.

"Max Dillon. You've been chosen to enter the inner circle of the Sigma brotherhood council. Follow me."

The man walked off. Max gave a thumbs-up to the girl across the room before following him down the hall.

They entered the frat house's basement, where Max saw several other people in robes and hoods holding lit candles. The one in the middle began to speak.

"Max Dillon, surrounding you is the sacred inner circle of the Sigma grand council charged with the sole responsibility of selecting those who shall become our brothers for life. Each has sworn an oath to protect the oath to protect the ranks of the Sigma brotherhood. Do you understand?"

The men formed a circle around him. Max looked around and frantically nodded.

"Yes! I understand."

"Are you now ready to receive their judgment?"

"I am."

"Then we shall begin."

The leader spoke to the rest of the council.

"Brothers of Sigma Alpha Kai, what say you to Max Dillon?"

They all held up their hands with their thumbs pointed to the side. After a few seconds, they all pointed downwards...deciding not to accept him.

"Wha...what?" Max reacted. "But I thought—"

"Commence the rejection ritual." The leader, who was Doug, said.

They all backed away. Suddenly, the rest of the lights turned on and blinded Max for a second. When his vision cleared, he saw seven of the robed men aiming paintball guns at him. Doug stood on the side and smirked.

"Sucks to be you."

They all started shooting him with paintballs. He yelped in pain at the constant impact and quickly ran up the stairs. He made it to the kitchen where people saw Max covered in paint. MJ was with Angela and saw him.

"Max? Are you all right?"

Everyone around him started to laugh. Outside, the rain began to fall and thunder clapped. It seemed to signify the rage Max was feeling.

"I hope you all rot and die!"

He ran out of the house through the back door. MJ called out.

"Max!"

Max ran off campus and through the streets as it poured. As much as the rain fell on him, it still wouldn't wash away the paint on his face and clothes.

He stopped in an alleyway and cried.

"I'm so stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"

Max looked up and saw a large glowing blue neon sign on the roof of the building he was near. He could barely make out what it said and only a saw a bit of it: MAX.

He climbed a ladder and went to the roof where the sign was. Max saw what it was advertising, which was an energy drink called MAXIMUM SHOCK. The young man continued crying but was now more angry.

He stood before the large sign, picked up an empty bottle from the floor, and threw it at the sign.

"Stupid!"

It hit the sign. At the same time, thunder clapped and a lightning bolt came down and struck the generator behind it. It sparked, which sent a bolt of electricity at Max.

"Argh!"

It electrocuted him. After about a minute of the constant current, the entire sign exploded and sent Max flying off the rooftop.

He fell into the alley but didn't hit the ground. By the time Max touched the floor, he was not flesh and bone anymore. His entire body was a form of blue energy. His hair was frayed and his eyes were a white hot color.

With that, Electro looked at the sky and let out a sharp and raspy bellow.

Y/N had some drinks, and snacks and vibed with the music. Angela tried many times to seduce Y/N, but after awkwardly rebuffing her, she decided to respect his choice and try her luck with other people at the party.

Later, Low by Flo Rida started to play. The people dancing in the room got hyped, and so did Indira, who stood beside Y/N.

"Let's go dance!"

"What?" Y/N asked. "Uh...I'm not much—"

"There's no way we're missing out on Flo Rida. Come on!"

Before he could try it refuse again, she pulled him toward the middle of the room. Y/N let the petite woman take him and decided to go with the flow.

The song kept playing. People around them danced to the music and then sang the lyrics aloud. They must've all loved Flo Rida.

Shawty had them apple bottom jeans (jeans)
Boots with the fur (with the fur)
The whole club was lookin' at her
She hit the floor (she hit the floor)
Next thing you know
Shawty got low, low, low, low, low, low, low, low

Indira was getting into it, too, and dancing. Y/N wasn't much of a dancer but still attempted to vibe as much as possible, doing simple foot and arm movements.

Suddenly, Indira got closer to him and was basically flushed against his torso. She grabbed his hands and guided them to her hips, and they moved to the music. Again, Y/N just went with went with the flow.

Hey, I ain't never seen nothin' that'll make me go
This crazy all night, spending my dough
Had the million dollar vibe and a body to go
Them birthday cakes, they stole the show
So sexual
She was flexible, professional
Drinkin' X and O
Hold up wait a minute, do I see what I think I-, whoa

Indira then turned around and had her back to his chest. Y/N kept his hands on her waist and they kept dancing, with the girl also grinding on him. Some partygoers nearby saw the two of them dancing and let out a collective woo!

Shawty had them apple bottom jeans (jeans)
Boots with the fur (with the fur)
The whole club was lookin' at her
She hit the floor (she hit the floor)
Next thing you know
Shawty got low, low, low, low, low, low, low, low

At first, Y/N was just following her lead, but as the dance went on, the man became more confident and added his own flair. He twirled her around and they were back to being chest-to-chest. He leaned forward and then back, and Indira soon followed suit. They moved in tandem with the music.

The two were having a blast. It was also the first time in a very long time that Y/N was having fun and enjoying his time as a college student. There was no stress about patrolling or any thought in the back of his mind about crime going on.

Right now...he was just Y/N. And Indira seemed to have highlighted that part of his life.

By the time the song finished, the two were back to being face-to-face with each other. They caught their breaths and stood there as the girl looked up at the young man.

People started to dance to the next song, but the two just stayed in place. After a moment, Indira finally went for it and leaned in to kiss Y/N. He saw the act coming, and although there was a millisecond of hesitation...he reciprocated.

Indira's and Y/N's lips met and they kissed. On the side, Randy saw them and nodded proudly. He chuckled.

"Flash was right." He muttered. "He is a Rizz God."

MJ and Harry also caught sight of the couple on the dance floor. Harry clapped.

"That's my guy."

The girl to his side seemed to have a reserved reaction and seeing that made her feel strange. Harry glanced at MJ and noticed her reaction.

Y/N still held Indira close. The girl had a sort of surprised look...as if the kiss had made her realize something. Y/N just smiled back...but it disappeared upon his spider-sense going off.

Suddenly, all the lights went out and the music stopped. People groaned and whined and assumed the passing storm had cut the power.

"Come on, man!" One guy yelled.

Moments later, the front double doors were blasted open and sent the same guy flying. Electro floated into the house and the electricity emitting from his body lit the entire room blue.

"What the hell is that thing?" Doug asked as he looked at him.

"Not what...who!" He replied.

Y/N had Indira behind him. He eyed the glowing creature...and it reminded him of his first encounter with Electro two years ago in the forest. At that moment...he realized who it could be.

"Max?" Y/N mumbled.

Electro gazed at Doug, who immediately charged his hands and was prepared to shoot him. Before he could, Y/N shouted and caught his attention.

"No! Don't do this, Max!"

Electro was filled with pure anger and didn't even care that Y/N was in his way. He ended up shooting him with a beam of electricity and lifted him in the air.

"Argh!" Y/N grunted.

He then threw Y/N out of the house through the window. His friends all reacted in shock.

"Y/N!" Indira exclaimed.

With him out of the way, Electro started shocking Doug. The jock groaned in pain as he was being fried. The girl from earlier, the one Max saw, ran up and tried to stop him too.

"Please! Stop!"

She touched his leg but the electricity shocked her and sent her flying back. She landed on the floor unconscious. Unlike his act toward Y/N, Max felt remorse for hurting her.

"No...I-I didn't—" He said softly but immediately got angry again and turned to Doug. "You turned me into this!"

He continued electrocuting Doug even more, this time using two hands. Electro threw Doug out the door and he landed on the sidewalk. Electro floated outside and towered over him.

"Sucks to be you."

Doug's breath hitched and he realized who the being was. But before he could say something, Electro started shocking him again.

The jock writhed and groaned and he was being electrocuted. Moments later, Doug stopped moving and the deed was done. Electro had killed him.

Partygoers who went outside looked on in shock. Electro turned to them and some started running away in fear. Still enraged, Max charged up his hands.

"I hate you all!"

He was about to throw some orbs of electricity, but his fists were suddenly webbed closed. He looked back and saw Spider-Man perched up on a rooftop.

"It's lights out time, Static-Man!" He exclaimed.

The few people who stayed looked on and were glad to see the hero. MJ let out a relieved sigh.

"It's Spider-Man."

Electro tried blasting him but couldn't due to his webbed-up hands. Y/N dove off the parapet and swung to the lamppost below. He spun around and ultimately hung upside down from it.

Electro bellowed as he used all his power to burn the webbing off his hands.

"Huh, cute trick." Y/N quipped. "Where were you when we had an energy crisis?"

Electro shot at Spider-Man but he leaped away right when the bolt hit the lamppost, blowing it up. Y/N stuck to a nearby wall.

"Not very civic-minded." He added.

The villain fired bolts at him, which the hero dodged pretty easily. He jumped off the wall and landed in front of Electro.

"Stay out of my way!"

"Deal. Right after this."

Y/N raised his fist and punched Electro hard. The villain groaned and stumbled back but it also hurt Spider-Man.

"Argh!" He stepped back as a current of electricity shot through his body.

Y/N shook it off and groaned. Electro's eyes glowed more and he let out a yell. Spider-Man jumped up and swung off a lamppost onto another one.

He was about to jump off it too, but blasted him with a bolt of electricity. It sent him flying toward the nearby apartment building and he crashed through a window.

"Oh, my God!" A girl sitting on her bed exclaimed upon seeing Spider-Man land on her floor.

Y/N laid there and shook his head. He looked at the fellow ESU student.

"Sorry."

Back in the courtyard, Electro saw the partygoers running away. He charged up his hands and was prepared to attack, but Spider-Man leaped out and shot two lines of web that stuck to his feet.

"Argh!" Electro reacted in anger.

Y/N landed on a parked van. He pulled Electro and the villain fell onto his stomach. Spider-Man started pulling him toward him.

"You are grounded!"

As he was being dragged, Electro's aura was dimming and his physique started getting skinnier. He yelled.

"No! No! Argh!"

Y/N was pretty disgusted at the sight.

"In more ways than one." He added.

The weakened Electro then sat up and grabbed onto the web line. He used what was left of his power to shock the line and current traveled up the web. It reached Y/N and it blasted him across the yard.

Electro looked up and saw power lines. He flew up to them and grabbed them, where he then ripped them in half. The power coming out of the exposed lines quickly recharged them.

He let out a satisfied shout. Electro let them go and floated back down and started yelling at the remaining partygoers. In his eyes, they weren't just any normal group of students, instead...they all looked like Doug.

"You didn't think I can be one of you! You didn't think I was good enough! Let's see how you like joining my club!"

He started raining down bolts of electricity. They all started running but they hit an unlucky few. Electro kept blasting away.

"Excuse me?"

Electro looked to his right and saw Spider-Man perched on the wall. The hero quickly uppercutted him with a webbed-up fist, which saved him the pain of the shock.

The punch sent the villain upward onto the roof of the frat house. Electro crashed onto a skylight and Y/N perched on a wall that towered over him.

"You've done enough damage, Sparky!"

Electro got up and blasted at Spider-Man. He dodged and flipped away from the bolts and got behind him. He punched him again with his protected fist that sent him against a wall.

Y/N went up to him and held his fist up. At that moment, he saw the scared face of Max. The scuffle before almost made him forget that he was battling his classmate.

"Max! What's happened to you?"

"They don't know! They don't understand!"

"Max, you can't do this to innocent people!"

He got angry again. "No one is innocent! No one!"

Electro charged up his hands and quickly blasted Y/N. The hero was launched back and hit a roof vent. Electricity coursed through body and ended up melting the web that encased his fists for protection.

Electro took Y/N's disorientation as a chance to float off the rooftop and continue shooting down at the ESU students.

"Look who's got power now!"

Y/N finally recovered and looked on at Max. He glared and sprinted toward him. Spider-Man dove off the roof and tackled Electro out of the sky.

He grabbed onto him and Y/N used Electro's body to break their fall. Still unfazed, the villain tried to escape his grasp by emitting as much electricity onto Y/N.

The hero grunted and tried to speak through the constant pain he was feeling from being electrocuted.

"M—Max! It—It doesn't have to be like this! I know what it's like to be an outcast!"

"No...you...don't!"

Electro's eyes glowed white and he emitted even more electricity. It shocked Y/N greatly and he let out a pained yell.

"Aaah! Argh!"

Amidst the pain, Y/N looked over and saw a covering for the electric transformer in the ground. He knew the intricacies of the wiring and knew there was a ground wire within. Spider-Man punched through the cover and pulled out the green one.

Electro saw what he was doing and tried holding Y/N back as he attempted to bring the wire toward him. As they struggled, Electro ended up burning Y/N's chest and causing a gash that ripped a part of his suit.

"Argh!"

Y/N fought through the pain and swatted the villain's arm away before sticking the wire into the side of his neck. Electro yelled out as the wire was starting to drain the power from him.

"Aaaah!"

Soon enough, Electro was starting to disappear. His body ultimately vanished as the entirety of his being was sucked into the earth. Y/N looked on in shock, as he didn't expect Max to practically cease to exist in that way.

"Max!?"

Nearby, the remaining partygoers cheered and applauded at the sight of the hero's victory. Among them were Randy, Harry, and MJ. Indira was there too who simply looked on with worried eyes.

Spider-Man knelt on the floor, catching his breath from the ordeal. He looked at his friends and also locked eyes with Indira, but the gaze didn't last long as he heard police sirens and ambulances in the distance.

He got up and immediately swung away. People below continued to cheer as the hero left the campus.

Y/N swung away and ended up perching a few blocks away on a gargoyle on the side of a building.

He let out a breath and lowered his head briefly before taking off his mask. He turned and looked up, a pained expression on his face. Unlike the Max Dillon of his variant's world, he could not help him. He wondered if his Max was gone for good or if he was out there...somewhere.

Some of the students were being questioned by police on the events that transpired. The EMTs also picked up Doug's dead body and took it away. Although he was a bully and an arrogant jock, people that knew him still mourned the loss.

Randy was talking to an officer while his friends stood on the side. Indira was fiddling with her fingers and looking around nervously. Angela noticed this.

"What's up, Indy?"

She wasn't sure how to respond. "I—Uh..."

"That freak is gone now. No need to be scared."

Indira nodded. At the same time, she looked to the side and caught sight of a familiar face. It was Y/N who was walking toward them.

"Oh, my God!" She reacted.

Her friends also saw the young man. They were relieved to know that he was okay. Y/N waved at them.

Indira ended up running to him and immediately embraced him. Y/N hugged her back, trying to mask his groans from the burns he had underneath his clothes.

"Hey."

They parted. Randy soon joined the group and smiled at Y/N.

"Holy shit. You okay, dude?" He asked.

"Yeah...why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, there's the fact that electric freak threw you out the window!"

"Oh, right..." Y/N replied. "I mean, he sent me pretty far but I was able to get up. I immediately ran to call campus security and then they called the cops."

"Damn. So you good for real?" Harry asked.

He nodded. "My arm might be sore tomorrow from being thrown, but I'm good."

Randy then got a call from his mom. He let out a sigh as he looked at his phone.

"Gotta take this. I'm also going to get back home. I'll see you guys tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Might as well get out of here too." Harry replied and turned to MJ. "Want me to take you home?"

MJ nodded. Angela also said she would call it after such an eventful night.

"Same here." She then looked at Y/N. "Last chance, handsome."

Y/N knew what she was inferring. He shook his head and politely declined the offer once again. Angela chuckled.

"Worth a shot." She remarked and walked away.

Everyone else left too, leaving Indira with Y/N. They stood there in silence for a moment before the young man spoke.

"Um...quite a night, huh?"

She weakly chuckled. "Yeah."

"I...I guess I'ma get going too. Unless you want me to take you back to your place or..."

"No, I'm all right."

"Okay." Y/N nodded, standing there briefly before pointing behind with his thumb. "I'm going to go. Good night."

He started to walk away. Indira suddenly called out.

"Y/N."

He turned back around. The girl wanted to say something...but ended up keeping it to herself. She took in a breath.

"Good night."

The young man smiled back and nodded once more before leaving the area. Indira looked and sighed as she stood in the middle of the courtyard.

• • •

BACK IN HIS APARTMENT, Y/N was treating the wounds he sustained during the battle with Electro. He was shirtless and had gray sweatpants on, looking at himself in the mirror as he rubbed some ointment on the gash across his pec.

"Ugh..."

It hurt a lot. Although his healing factor would kick in and treat the wounds in the coming days, he still had to deal with it. Things like that were always a hassle.

Suddenly, there was a knock at his door. He was surprised someone had come to see him so late at night.

"Uh...I'm coming!" He called out.

Y/N looked around for his shirt and quickly grabbed it. He slipped it back on, ignoring the pain of the burns while doing so.

He went over to the door and opened it...seeing none other than Indira.

"Oh....hey!" Y/N was taken aback. "Indy, what are you doing here."

"Can I come in?" She asked.

"O—Okay."

He let her inside and shut the door. By the time he turned back around, she was sitting on the edge of his bed. Indira pat the space beside her and she didn't need to say a word for him to oblige.

Y/N sat down. He looked at her.

"What's...what's wrong?"

Indira took in a breath through her nose as she stared ahead. She turned toward him while looking down.

"I've had something on my mind." She began. "For a while now."

Y/N listened. Indira kept her head down but ultimately looked up at him. She continued.

"I just need to be sure."

She suddenly leaned in and captured the man's lips again. Y/N reciprocated the act and kissed her back. He assumed what was on her mind dealt with her feelings toward him.

They parted but their faces were still mere inches away from each other. Indira held onto the side of his neck and looked into his eyes.

"I feel like I've always known..." She said. "You're Spider-Man."

Y/N just stayed still with his face close to hers. There was a pregnant pause that lasted a good ten seconds. He didn't even try to deny it as usual; instead, he began to apologize.

"Indy...you...I—I'm—"

"It's okay." She said softly. "It's okay."

"It's been eating away at me for a while. Keeping it from you...from the others. I just—I worry about a lot of things."

Indira understood. She nodded as she rubbed the side of his neck.

"You've done so much. For me...for them...for everyone. And you don't expect anything in return. It's all..." She touched where his heart was. "This."

He closed his eyes and lowered his head.

"I've lost a lot. And I'm scared of losing more. I just...never know nowadays, so I try and keep people away. The times I flake...when I'm not there when you guys are out...I often think you are the safest when I'm not around."

"You can't subject yourself to that kind of...isolation. It would help if you had someone that understands. That's there for you. We're there for you. I'm there."

He took in Indira's words. Although he believed his friends were safest when they were away from him, it was often not the case.

Y/N thought back to Pterdacts attack on the Bugle, Puma almost killing Randy, Silver Sable kidnapping his friends, Hobgoblin causing chaos at the festival, Shikata taking Indira hostage, and Scorpion being on the brink of killing Flash and MJ.

You could just never predict it. There was no surefire way of keeping everyone from harm. That was just how it was in the city that never sleeps.

"I'm there for you." Indira repeated.

The young man opened his eyes and looked at her. He was appreciative of her reassurance. Indira was one of the first friendships he made after getting into college and re-embracing his life as Y/N. She always made him happy and as time went on...also started to have feelings for her.

It was like a breath of fresh air for him. She wasn't a fighter or a vigilante like him. She wasn't a face from before or from his past. She was just an ordinary young woman who was smart, resilient, outgoing, and enjoyed life. She had become an integral part of his life and he just started to realize that.

"I know." He finally responded. "And I'm grateful."

Indira smiled and leaned in to kiss him again. They embraced for some time before the young man's phone chimed in. They parted and he looked over, picking it up. The scanner sounded.

"Telephone alarm box 615. At West 23 Street and 7th Avenue. There's been an explosion. Major 1."

He listened to the fire department calling for assistance. Y/N knew the explosion likely caused a fire and he needed to go help. He looked at Indira.

"Go be a hero." She said.

Y/N smirked. The man got up from the bed and took off his shirt, where he quickly got the suit from the closet and put it back on. He didn't care about the tear across his chest. He put on his mask last and went over to the window.

Spider-Man gave a quick glance back at Indira before diving out the window and swinging away. The Latina just sat on his bed, letting out an exhale and deciding to lay down on it.

• • •

THE RED-HAIRED MAN walked across the sidewalk. He had his hands stuffed into his pockets and had a scowl on his face. Anyone he passed by noticed his looked and made sure to not get close to him.

As he continued, he looked back and noticed the someone following him. He had seen the same man a few blocks away. He decided to make a left into an alley and entered it. Soon enough, his tail made the same turn but didn't see the man.

Suddenly, the red-haired man dropped from the fire escape and fell on the man. They struggled for a bit before they both got up and the man grabbed the other.

The red-haired man ended up getting the upper hand and put him in a chokehold. Soon enough, he snapped the man's neck and let his body drop.

He panted as he stood over the body. Suddenly, a limousine pulled up nearby. Not wanting to deal with whoever showed up, the man ran the other way but his path was blocked by another car that rolled into the same alley.

He stood in between them. The door of the limousine opened and out came Lonnie Lincoln AKA Tombstone. Lonnie fixed his sleeves and started walking up to the redhead. He squared up to the crime boss and tried to land a punch, but Tombstone grabbed his wrist and bent it.

"Argh!"

"That's not very smart, Kasady." He spoke.

The man let go of his hand and Cletus fell to the floor. He rubbed his wrist and looked up at the man.

"You know who I am?" He asked.

"Yes, I do." Lincoln replied. "Cletus Kasady. Arsonist. Serial Killer. The Flame. Leader of a cult that includes hundreds."

He smirked and snickered.

"Glad to see I've made a name for myself."

Tombstone ended up offering hand. Cletus looked at it and ultimately took it. He got to his feet.

"You have. And I know what you crave. Chaos. Infamy. Carnage." Tombstone said.

Cletus nodded. The crime boss continued.

"And I have a proposition. One that benefits the both of us."

With that, the Flame menacingly smiled.