- CONSEQUENCES -

"I'm the one who let Harry on the mission. After I promised to keep them safe."

Gazing at his sleeping friend in a healing tube, Spider-Man touched the glass. Harry looked so pale…and tiny under the water.

Oh, buddy…you look horrible. If only I could have stopped this…

Closing his eyes, Spider-Man turned to see Flash in another tube. How hurt he looked…and all because of him. Deciding to have a patrol in the city, Spidey walked out of the lab and left. He couldn't stay at The Triskelion where both of his friends lay hurt just because he was so stupid.

While webbing across the city, Spidey felt empty. Usually, this calmed his nerves but today…it didn't work.

Maybe I should…

Soon, down the street walked a young man with brown hair. Letting his mind wander all around, Peter sighed. This wasn't helping either.

I need someone to talk to… and luckily I know one.

Grabbing his phone, Peter dialed the number. Soon, a very familiar voice answered.

"Hello? The Parker residence."

"Hey, Aunt May…it's me."

"Oh, Peter, darling! I was wondering when you might call. I heard about Harry…I'm so sorry, sweetie."

"Yeah…and it's all my fault!"

"What?", May asked. "What do you mean?"

"Oh come on Aunt May, sure you know. I was the one who demanded that Harry could join the Academy. And Norman said I'm responsible if something happens. And here we are…"

"Peter…", May began. "Listen to me very carefully. It was Harry's idea he wanted to join. And Norman let him do that, despite you had your doubts. He is mad maybe, but it means that he is just worried and anger is his way of showing it. He does not hate you, how could he?"

"But he doesn't remember me…hopefully", Peter sighed.

"Well, what's done, is done. Sweetie, don't take the blame on your shoulders. You did nothing wrong. Got it?"

"Okay…", Peter said, even though it didn't ease his pain.

"That's my boy! But I must be on my way to yoga now, so I see you at home. I promise everything will be fine!", May smiled.

"Yep…see ya", Peter hung up. Remembering Norman's rage and how he almost told him to go to hell made him shiver.

At least now I can't hear him…

Walking ahead, Peter let his mind wander even deeper...until heard a voice.

"Peter!"

Recognizing that sound made Peter stop and close his eyes. This was not true…

God please…not now! Could this get any worse?!

Looking over his shoulder…and Peter saw how Norman waved at him.

"What a coincidence! I was just about to call you."

"Really?", Peter stared.

"Yes…since I wanted to speak with you. But it looks like you already made to Oscorp", Norman nodded.

"What? Oh not really…", Peter stopped as he stood in front of the Oscorp Tower. He had no idea how he ended up here.

"But now since you are already here, would you come in? There is something I need to tell you…it's about Harry", Norman said seriously.

Feeling a lump in his throat, Peter nodded silently. This was just what he needed.

Shit…shit, shit, shit! Great job, Pete…

Following Norman, Peter was feeling horrible. Why always he?

Walking to the elevator, the duo headed up. Soon, they came out and Norman escorted Peter to his apartment.

"Have a seat", Norman smiled and Peter did as he was told. Crossing his legs, the boy gazed as Norman sat down as well.

"So…what was this thing you wanted to speak about? What about Harry?", Peter asked while pretending.

"Well…", Norman sighed. "You see Peter, the thing is that…Harry is not feeling well. He is in a coma at S.H.I.E.L.D."

"In a…coma?!", Peter kept acting, despite it was hard. "What happened?!"

"Long story…wanna hear?", Norman asked.

"Of course, please tell me!", Peter begged, knowing he had no choice.

"Well…it all began when that Vulture attacked us when you were visiting…", Norman explained, near to break down. Peter listened to the whole story, even though he knew it already.

"Oh my god…why did Harry do something so dangerous like that?! He should have told me! I would have stopped him!"

"I know…but he wanted to prove himself so badly…and I was so naive and I let him take part in that horrible school. I was close to denying it…but then I thought that I owe Harry this since he has suffered a lot because of me. But…", Norman covered his mouth. Peter felt horrible.

"Well…how bad is Harry's condition then?"

"Bad…Connors has no idea will he recover. Just when I thought everything was going to be fine…but then this happens! I wanna kill that Octavius…", Norman clenched his fist.

"He sounds insane…", Peter nodded. "I'm so, so sorry."

"I understand Peter, this is not your fault. And I can see how upset you are as well. But Octavius is not the main point…", Norman gritted his teeth.

"Well…what is then?", Peter asked carefully.

"Well…", Norman stood up. "May I tell you a secret, Peter?"

"Of course…what is it?", Peter said.

"Well…something has been bothering me lately. Something…about Spider-Man."

"Spider-Man? What about him?"

"Well, he was the one who begged Harry to join…that fool! This is all his fault! I wanna crush that bug!", Norman slammed his fist against the table that Peter jumped.

"But didn't he save Harry? Are you sure this is all his fault?"

"It is...he was the one who harassed me to give permission. And I assured him to keep my son safe…and what happens next?! Harry is inside the symbiote!", Norman was red with anger.

"Uhh…", Peter was pale. He didn't know what to say.

"But I'm gonna make sure he will pay! All this torture! I'm gonna dig his secrets out…since something in that spider sounds so familiar. I just can't place what…", Norman muttered.

Peter felt how his forehead was sweating. He had to get out of here, like right now.

"Well uh…I'm sure Harry is gonna recover! He is a fighter. And I will pray for you both and wait until he wakes up since I can't see him now."

"Yes…I'm sorry S.H.I.E.L.D. allows only families to visit. But I keep in touch with you since you are a really good friend to my boy", Norman smiled.

"Thanks…it means a lot. But now I think I must get going…see you later!", Peter smiled and walked fast out of the door, closing it behind him, then running out of the building and to the alley. Peter finally took a deep breath. His usual bravery was suddenly gone and heart beat fast.

That was horrible…Norman almost strangled me! Looks like this gonna be harder than I thought…

-o-o-o-

Later, Peter was standing on the top of the building, wearing his suit. Holding his mask, he gazed as New York prepared for the night.

Uncle Ben was right…with great power comes great blame. This is all my fault…and I must fix this. But then again…Aunt May said we can't be responsible for everything that happens. If only I knew what advice to follow…

Putting his mask on, Spidey let the darkness be his protection as he webbed across the city. He was gonna do everything to help Harry…for the sake of their friendship. But as Spider-Man passed Oscorp, he didn't notice how someone watched after him. And once the web-slinger disappeared out of sight…the hand which was holding a glass, crushed it into many little pieces, landing shards all over the floor.