Peter couldn't believe his luck. A hot date with Trixie Lulamoon at the sadie hawkins dance. Sure his suit was a hand-me-down from Uncle ben but he loved it all the same. He looked at himself in the mirror and saw that his tie was loose.
You are one handsome devil Parker. He thought popping his collar and then cracking his neck.
The boy left his room and trotted down the stairs where his aunt waited at the bottom with a photo camera.
"Peter, you look just like your father did at his prom." Aunt may cooed, reaching out to pinch Peters cheek. "It seems like just yesterday that i was trying to stop you from eating the bubbles in your bath. Oh my baby is growing up."
"Aunt may," Peter groaned as she pulled him toward her and felt her kiss his cheek. "will you stop!?"
Aunt May chuckled. "Your grandma was the same way as me when it came to her child going on their first date. Trust me your granny talked with me while holding a gun in her lap telling me when I would bring ben home and what would happen if I tested her. That woman was intense."
"granny dorris did all that. But she was always so sweet."
"If she saw you as a threat to her baby then she could turn sour real fast. I remember when that flash thompson boy gave you shiner, she wanted to pick a fight with the thompsons and ben had to calm her down."
Peter chuckled to himself rubbing the back of his neck.
Aunt may cleared her throat pointing to Peter's partially undone tie. "Let me sweetheart." The woman fixed his tie and then tightened it. "there he is, my handsome young man. Let me get a picture for the family album."
the matutre woman lifted the camera around her neck up and aimed it at peter. "Say cheese."
Peter smiled and the flash of the camera nearly blinded him. The boy blinked to readjust his sight.
Aunt may positioned herself beside him and kissed him on the cheek. "How are you feeling Peter."
Peter breathed out and then shook his head. "Like butterflies are nesting in my stomach. Is it normal for me to be this nervous."
Aunt May clasped her hand over her heart, a warm smile on her face. "Ah sweetie, Ben was the same way when me and him went on our first date. Trixie is a special girl and she is gonna love you."
"You think so?" Peter asked hopeful.
Aunt may wrapped him into a hug and then whispered in his ears. "I know so, and if ben was here then he would be just as proud as you."
"Yeah, and he'd probably say something off the wall about how to interact with my date."
"I know he would. You know, I used to hate that he would make such perverted comments in front of you but I knew it was his way of showing love for you. He was a kind man and the fact that he could make friends anywhere was something I always admired and I see a lot of his traits in you."
"Thanks aunt may, I miss him too."
May rubbed his cheek and then a small tear went down her face. "I know sweetie, but this isnt the time to mourn our loss. Look at you, a ladies man in the making. Have fun dear."
"Thanks aunt may." Peter then walked past her and exited then house. The setting sun in the horizon light up the city as the lights in the buildings began to show more vividly.
Peter took a short walk next door each step followed by a feeling of anxiety. The boy walked up the steps to Trixie's door and then knocked three times.
Alright Parker. Be cool, this is your first date with the first girl to actively seek you out for a date. Don't mess this up. The boy smiled as the doors lock came undone with a snap. Alright, shake her father's hand, be polite, and Don't do anything stupid.
The door opened slightly and Peter forced a smile. Chances are i'm worrying over nothing, I mean what could possibly go wrong.
Standing before Peter in the doorway was a familiar face… Adrian tombs.
The man was dressed in his black leather jacket with a rock band t-shirt wrapped around his body, black pants and black loafers completing his dark apparel. He looked at Peter for a second then a smile came on his face.
"I know what your here for and I know who you are." he said his tone warm yet menacing as he placed his hand on Peter's shoulder.
The boy gulped, the hair on the back of his neck on edge. "Y-you know who I am?"
"How could I not. Your nervous right now and you should be… and you know why." he said leaning forward his mouth dangerously close to Peter's ear. "Your here to take my niece on a date."
Peter froze as Adrian pulled away from him.
The man slapped Peter's shoulder nearly knocking him off the stairs. He laughed to himself. "You like that? I've been practicing that speech since Trixie told me that you were gonna take her on a date. You know, with my brother being out of town with the old woman on a business trip I felt trixie could use a father figure to keep the boys on their toes."
"You're trixies uncle?" Peter piped in not believing what he was hearing.
"What, didn't she mention me? That's just like her. She does one little show and now she is too good for the uncle who helped change her diapers when he used to baby sit her."
"Uncle Adrian! Don't tell him that!?" Trixie exclaimed stepping behind Adrian tombs, a cold gaze on her face.
"Ah, am I embarrassing my little Trixstar." He cooed reaching his arm to Trixie's side and tickling her.
"Uncle Adrian," Trixie groaned, frowning. "Don't call me by that baby name. I'm the great and powerful Trixie now."
Adrian laughed to himself. "Great and Powerful huh, well as your beloved uncle I must embarrass you in front of your date. Especially since I knew his father. Hey petey, look at this… this is trixie at age 7." The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture showing it to peter.
It was a seven year old picture of trixie in a blue skirt and dress with a big toothy grin that had braces in her teeth.
"Uncle adrian! Don't show him that either," trixie hid her face in her hands while her uncle laughed menacingly.
"So should I tell him how you had a crush on that sweet boy with orange hair and how you two were married for a week before he dumped."
"Argh, your so embarrassing Uncle adrian." Trixie Began punching her uncles arms leaving the already stunned spiderman dead silent.
Tombs wrapped his arm around Trixie's neck then pulled her forward and gave her a noogie. "Say uncle! C'mon Trixstar, say it."
"Uncle Adrian, stop it!" Trixie struggled under her uncles grasp.
"You know what you have to say to end this." He chuckled as he continued to noogie her.
"Uncle! Uncle! Trixie is saying uncle!" She exclaimed.
Adrian released her then leaned In and kissed her cheek.
"Uncle Adrian! That is gross."
Tombs gasped holding his hand to his chest, feigning surprise, "You used to love it when I kissed your cheek. What happened to my little Trixstar."
Trixie pouted and turned from him. "Trixie has outgrown that name."
"But you still sleep with solomon the bunny that I got for you, don't ya." Adrian smirked.
"No, I don't." Trixie's voice trembled.
The man laughed then ran his hands over Trixies hair. "sure you don't."
"Can we just go!" Trixie stormed toward the car.
"Hold on Trixstar, I have to get my keys." The man said turning to peter. "Don't do anything too risque."
Peter gulped stiffening under the mans gaze.
"Wow, you are just like your dad. Boy he told me all about how when he was courting your mama he would be nervous and stiff. You know when I look at you, its like my old friend is alive again. Anyway let me get the keys."
"No!" Peter blurted out making Adrian.
"A problem peter?" the man asked raising an eyebrow.
"I-i just want to walk there you know. Get some excerise."
Adrian waved him off. "Nonsense, the schools five whole blocks from here and besides we both know this ain't about excerise." The man winked at peter then leaned forward. "I was young once too."
The man patted Peters shoulder then turned. "I'll get my keys."
peter stood stupified As his enemy disappeared into the house. Peter could hear his humming loud as thunder and the boy felt his heart beat in his chest.
"Parker!"
Peter jumped out of his stupor to see Trixie with her arms crossed glaring at him.
"What is wrong with you? You have said nothing about the great and powerful trixies outfit which took hours for her to pick out."
Peter saw that trixie indeed had a nice dress on. It was done up in a deep sea blue with gold highlight and a cute light blue long skirt. Peter felt himself calm when he looked on the beautiful teen in front. "Wow, how'd I manage to land you." he said dumbly.
Trixie snorted then smirked "Trixie Asked herself that all the time. She believes it is what you call… parker luck."
Peter then walked up to trixie and offered his hand.
Trixie met peters eyes and without thinking placed her hand in his.
Peter Lifted his dates hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it.
Trixie flushed at the attention.
The car clicked and the lights flashed catching the pairs attention..
The teens looked up at the stairs to see Adrian Tombs with a knowing smile, holding the keys in his hand. "Having fun you two?"
"Uncle adrian, nothing happened." Trixie piped up a little too quick.
Peter straigthened himself up as tombs chuckled.
"Don't worry unlike your parents I remember what it's like to be young. Now get in the car you two and keep your hands where I can see them."
"Trixie apologizes for her lame uncle, let us be off." she said entering the back seat.
Peter followed close behind and sat down in the back next to trixie.
Adrian entered the car last, leaning his arm over the empty seat and turning his head to the teens. "Alright you two, seatbelts on and lips parted."
Trixie groaned unaware that her date was sweating bullets, never taking his eyes off her uncle.
Peter meanwhile still couldn't believe it.
I knew things were going too good for me. He thought as adrian turned the car keys starting the car. The vulture is trixies uncle… how did I not know that.
The car started loudly and then they reversed out of the parking lot. The car moved forward toward the school.
Adrian fiddled with the radio landing on a rock band blaring their music.
"Ah man, this one brings me back. Peter you a headbanger." he asked in a jovial tone.
The boy shook his head.
"Well, we'll change that. If your gonna date my niece you gotta learn to let loose."
"Uncle Adrian, must you say such things. It is demeaning to the great and powerful trixie."
The man laughed. "Im sorry Trixstar but this may be the last time I get to mess with you in awhile. Considering…"
"Must you go back to new york."
"regretably yes, the boss tells me that they need me back there asap. Why, you gonna miss me?"
"n-no! Trixie just likes having someone at the house who lets her live her life unlike her parents."
"You can thank your mom for that. She still sees you as a baby bird and wont let you spread your wings… hows about I try and talk with her again… just for you Trixstar."
Trixie smiled warmly then shook her head. Crossing her arms the girl pouted to herself. "Not like It'll do any good. My mother is such a worry wart."
Adrian adjusted the mirror reflecting Peter in the glass. "It seems like just yesterday that my little Trixstar was asking me to help her steal some cookies. Now she is going to a dance with a boy. Be careful peter your date is a real handful."
Trixie growled and turned her head.
"But in all seriousness Peter… if anything happens to my little Trixstar then I will find you and I will make you regret hurting her."
"Uncle!" Trixie exclaimed. "Peter isn't like that."
The man Whistled at that. "He must be something special for the great and powerful trixie to take notice. Tell me trixstar have you done any fun stuff with him."
Trixie flushed hiding her face in her hair. "Uncle Adrian, please stop."
"Alright i've embarrassed you enough." the man looked in mirror. "So peter what do you like to do for fun."
Peter rubbed the back of his neck "I usually like to spend my free time studying."
"That it?" Adrian shook his head. "You really are bullets kid. C'mon give me something kid, any clubs or hobbies outside of usual egghead stuff."
"I used to do photography club with my friends."
"Photography huh, looks like we can save money on Trixstar's wedding by having the groom be the photographer."
"Uncle Adrian!" Trixie exclaimed. "Stop laughing!"
Tombs chortled to himself as they continued down the road and turned through the first block. Peter looked out to the city street and saw the beauty of the night sky. The same night sky that overlooked peter on the day his uncle died.
"Any Peter, hobbies are a great thing to have. I myself was captain of my schools soccer team." Adrian stopped at a light then turned his head toward Peter.
"Peter has been excerising more since he started coming to CHS. I think the results speak for themselves." Trixie said and then immediately clasped her hand over her mouth. "I didn't mean to say that."
Adrian chuckled to himself then pulled forward as the light turned green.
"So Peter you trying out for sports next year?"
"No Mr. Tombs." Peter replied.
"Mr. Tombs? Don't be so formal kid. You are my little Trixstars boy toy so you can call me Adrian."
The boy nodded his head.
Trixie then shook her head. "I have tried to get Peter to join the CHS sports teams but vehemently refuses. Trixie doesn't know why."
"Why are you excerising if not to join a sports team. I'm curious."
"I wanted to get in shape. Also I kinda had an altercation with someone and wanted to be better able to defend myself." Peter explained.
"It's true, one day peter came in with a cut across his stomach. Trixie was worried due to someone attacking her assistant."
Adrian looked into the mirror his eyes darkening when he looked at Peter. "Is that right?"
The ride to the car was quiet for the rest of the time. The two stopped in front of the CHS dance hall.
"Trixie why don't you go in and get yourself some punch. I Need to have a word with Peter." Adrian adjusted his mirror to see Peter who squirmed.
Trixie rolled her eyes. "Please, don't read Trixie's date the riot act. She doesn't want you to scare him off."
"Don't worry Trixstar, Uncle adrian just wants a word." his voice lost all jovial intent.
Once trixie exited the car Peter's face hardened, he gripped the edge of his seat ready for action.
"I know who you really are and you know who I am? So what do we do from here?" Adrian reached into the glove compartment, pulling out a handgun one of the last models of the guns that hammer was selling on the street.
"I know who you are and I won't stop until you face justice." Peter replied, readying himself for a fight.
Adrian Tombs rested his hand on the gun and aimed his weapon at Peter. The man's face darkened as his finger wrapped around the trigger.
Peter knew he was in no danger because his danger sense didn't blare. This confused the boy, why wasn't he in danger if Tombs shot at him he couldn't dodge and would be dead. Was his danger sense refusing to activate.
Tombs lifted his gun and then placed it on the seat next to him.
"What happened to your uncle was a travesty and I am truly sorry for my role in that." Adrian somberly said.
Raising an eyebrow Peter shook his head.
"I know what your thinking. He's only apologizing because his guy was the one who killed him. But let me tell you something peter. Criminals are capricious when they smell weakness. My gang has a member who is acting a little too high and mighty thinking they can do better then selling hammer guns. His rebellion has made it so half the gang doesn't listen to my orders. I was losing control of the gang long before you entered the scene… now… I have to fix what you started."
"Your a murderer!" Peter exclaimed.
"I'm an arms dealer."
"Your guns killed my uncle, it was your man who fired the shot."
Adrian body shaked and then a single tear rolled down his eye. "I know, Ben and Bullet were my friends… and I knew that when my guns had killed my friend that I wanted out."
"Then why didn't you leave?"
"Because of Justin, Fucking, Hammer." Adrian growled the name. "That little prick knows how to use people like no other. He told me that I was gonna sell his guns until he no longer needed to and said that if I didn't… he said he would kill my family."
Peter froze when he met Adrian's eye. Worry clear in his gaze.
"You understand what you've done haven't you?" Adrian asked, "You've made an enemy of justin hammer and if I was a crueler man then I would hand you over gift wrapped to him like I was ordered too a month ago."
"Why the show of mercy."
"Because a lot of people I care about like you. Your uncle and father were my best friends, your aunt gave me a meal when I needed it, and Trixie likes you a lot. So I have a deal for you. Give up being spiderman and by this time tommorrow the vulture will be gone and his gang disbanded. After that don't worry about what happens next."
Peter gritted his teeth. "Not gonna happen."
"Quit while your ahead kid! Fuck! Don't you know what will happen if you keep messing with Hammer."
"I don't care! Hammer deserves to be punished for what he is doing."
"Kid I agree with you but not even Iron Man could bring down Hammer. What chance do you have? Do you know what this war will cost you?"
Adrian turned gripping the steering wheel tightly. His hand slowly shaking.
"Why don't you turn yourself in? Tell the cops all about Hammers plan. They can protect you." Peter pleaded, "I know your not a bad man Tombs, You love your family so be the man they think you are."
Adrian wiped his eyes, "Your right kid. But your an idiot as well. Hammer would have me killed as soon as I as in police custody and then just to be spiteful he would kill Trixie and Her parents. Hammer is a petty little fuck."
"I'll protect them."
"Really, you? You can't even keep your idenity safe from me discovering it. What do you think will happen if Hammer finds out about you. Let me tell you. First he will send his biggest and baddest after you and I know each of those guys personally and they are stronger and better equiped then I am. Then, oh then, if that fails he will send his men to kill your aunt and if he has to then he'll the do the same to Trixie. Peter, answer me this… are you willing to lose everything so you can play hero."
Bowing his head the thought of Losing Aunt may filled the boy with dread. She was all Peter had left. Plus Trixie was in danger and Peter knew that he couldn't let her get hurt because of him.
"Peter, I'm leaving canterlot and when I arrive in new york i'm gonna tell Hammer I killed spiderman and buried him somewhere nobody will find. Take my advice and don't make a liar of me. Spiderman dies tonight and the vulture will never loom over the skies of canterlot. Do you understand?"
Narrowing his eyes Peter nodded his head.
"Good, Good boy, now go out there and show my niece the time of her life." Adrian almost sounded relieved. "For whats it's worth if you had a little more experience then you would have been able to beat me. Still, it was honor battling you spiderman."
Peter exited the car, standing on curb. The boy looked on as Adrian tombs, the vulture drove off. A pit in his stomach making it hard for Peter to enjoy himself.
The boy turned around, walked up the steps to the dance hall, and then saw waiting for him at the door was his date. Peter's mind flashed of Aunt May died in the same way Uncle ben was, of Trixie begging him to save her, and of him killing everyone he loves.
Peter entered the dance hall holding Trixies hand.
I don't know what I can do.