Naturally, the rest of the day was spent starting to figure out what was wrong with the Foswell's engine. I had on one of my oldest clothes, and within ten minutes my hands were covered in grease. Aunt May set up a stool and kept me company outside on the sidewalk. She liked to say hello to the neighborhood every now and then, and ended up seizing the opportunity while we were chatting.
- So, Peter, how are things there? — She said, without looking at me, waving goodbye to a little girl.
- Look... He hasn't changed his oil in months. And the piston is completely out of hand, I don't know how he managed to do that with this car, it's like he used a van to do races.
- I don't know why you think that, he's a journalist.
- Really… Very strange — And soon after, a bunch of oil splashed in my face after I pulled the piston out of the barrel — The oil was clogged...
- All good? — she was going to get up.
- Yes, you can stay there.
- Ok.
- How are my old favorite neighbors? — I heard someone familiar say. It was Mary Jane, paying us a visit.
- Mary! How are you my dear? — I didn't have to look to know that Aunt May had given her a hug.
- I'm fine, Aunt May. And I found out that… — She came in and approached in the middle of the street, looking for me — There you are! Hi Peter, how are things going?
- Hi Mary Jane! I would go there and give you a hug, but you can see my situation here — I spread my arms, showing all the oil and grease on my body.
- Hahaha, yes, I also prefer to keep my distance this time, although we haven't seen each other since Harry's father's funeral. Whose van is this?
- It's from Aunt May's neighbor, Frederick Foswell, and apparently my co-worker. He is a journalist at the Bugle.
- The name is not familiar to me, where does he live?
- In the house on the right.
At the time I didn't realize what I was saying to Mary Jane, it was the silence that followed that made me realize it. I could hear her footsteps going forward with her aunt again, she was looking at the house, quiet.
- You know... I miss you guys, but I don't miss living here...
- Oh, Mary Jane, sorry, I forgot...— I spoke
- No… No Peter, it's okay. I didn't come to talk about my father or the way he treated me. No, I have good news!
- Really? Which ones?
- I'm going to audition for the lead in a play! From the center!
- This is wonderful! — May got up and gave Mary another hug— Congratulations dear, what part?
- It's called "The Importance of Being Earnest." I've been studying the paper for almost a week now.
- Earnest? That's a very cultured word — Aunt May took her hand — Do you know what it means to be Earnest?
- Well, be honest, direct, and professional when doing this. I've always found it a little difficult to be Earnest. It's a challenge for me as an actress. Have you ever felt like that?
- Being Earnest is essential not only in our relationships, but in our life, dear. It's easy to say that you'll push yourself to be more competent and a more complete professional, but doing so is another reality. Once I had to stay home alone for a week, Ben had gone to work in New Jersey, and naturally, I started doing his homework. We had little Pete to look after, so I had double work on that part — They looked at me and laughed a little. I laughed along — I had to learn how to be Earnest. How to know how to be honest with myself and have enough discipline to learn new things. See how Peter is doing there. Peter!
- Hey.
- Have you ever messed with a car engine before?
- No, never.
- Are you finding it difficult?
- A bit.
- Can you handle it?
- I must.
- Did you understand?
- Ah, how do I live without you, Aunt? — Mary Jane said, giving her a kiss — And you, tiger. You are my earnest man.
Mary Jane walked over to me, took a handkerchief from her pocket, wiped my cheek, and gave me a kiss too. I explained to her why I was fixing Foswell's car and shortly afterwards she went to visit her father. I hadn't fixed the van that day, but… It was good progress. When night fell, and Aunt May went to sleep, it was time for the friendly neighborhood to start the night patrol. But not before taking Peter Parker's camera, it was time to arrange that exclusive with Mr. Ricochet. It was by listening to some of the police frequency that I heard it, a very strange occurrence in… Seaside Heights? Seriously? Well, I had a long way to go. After I crossed the city and got there, a lot had already happened, because I saw several stores and buildings pretty devastated.
Approaching where people were running, I ended up finding some coming out of a convenience store, our troublemaker was there. I went in without trying to make a sound, but the sale bell rang. Lucky for me, the cashier jumped off the counter and ran right after, sending me a “good luck friend”. I crouched down and followed the sounds of someone's footsteps, and sneaking around the corner of a shelf, I saw a tall man, massive in stature. He was wearing a leotard, he looked like he was from the circus. I came up behind him and spoke.
- The clown wants his clothes back, friend, he said you stretch too much.
- What? — The giant man said, giving me a sideways look. His voice was high and deep.
- Put the candy on the floor, friend — I had seen that he had a chocolate bar in his hand — It's time for you to have a word with some of my friends in blue.
He didn't answer me, he just picked up one of the shelves as if they were made of plastic and walked down towards me. I jumped to the side, but he used a shelf left over from the shattered shelf and hit me, smashing me through another shelf. He was very strong, too strong even for someone like him. The last time I faced someone like him was when I last fought the Goblin. I had to get up quickly, because he was running towards me like an animal, and it wasn't until I grabbed the ceiling that he swooped past to hit me. He ended up running out of the shop, which gave me enough room to jump onto the roof outside.
- Friend, no need to be offended, the clown clothes look good on you.
- Shut your mouth! — He said, pulling a pole out of the ground.
- Ops…
He threw the pole towards me, but I managed to turn the game in my favor, dodging the pole, sticking a web on it, reversing the trajectory to go towards the assailant. He held it very easily, but he didn't count on my ace up my sleeve. My camera flash at the end of the pole triggered just in time, camera he held right in front of him. The flash blinded him for a few moments, he knocked the pole to the ground, and I was able to make my advantage attack, releasing all my webs to tie him up. In a short time, his body was all covered by them, only his head outside.
- All right, buddy, I have some questions for you — I said.
- Let me go, you insect!
- Just until you tell me how you have all this strength? Where did you get to be like that?
- I won't tell you anything. You're already starting to piss off the Big Man, he's coming after you soon, so I think you better stay out of our way.
- Wait... Who am I pissing off? Our way? Who is so involved in this? Is anyone else here with you? — I already started to look around, but I didn't feel anything.
- There is no one now, but soon there will be!
He then quickly released himself, tearing my webs apart and squishing them all into a big ball. A ball that got bigger and bigger when I tried to release more webs to trap him again. It didn't work out so well, so I jumped up to try a face-off, but he threw the ball in my direction. After that, I woke up in the alley next to the store, next to the ball he hit me right in. I ran out into the street; he had run away. There was nothing else I could do but grab my camera and head home, but I had something worth $500 to take to the Bugle tomorrow.
- The offer was for Ricochet, I won't give you 500 for that, Parker — Jameson scratched in his new padded chair in the makeshift office, he had been told it was smaller and more comfortable for him there, but he didn't look comfortable at all — I pay the usual for these pictures.
- These photos are exclusive to identify the criminal, and I really need the money, Mr. Jameson.
- And I need an exclusive. Brant, the usual for Parker! — He yelled into the intercom for her — Anything else, son?
- Actually yeah, for what it's worth, I was there when I took these pictures and that man seemed to have some kind of…
- Super strength? Yep, Foswell got there like a rocket, eyewitness reports from the area described what he did, classic signs of superhuman. Never good, these super humans!
- Boss — Robbie Robertson squeezed into the room with me — What's the headline...? Look at these pictures, you outdid yourself this time, Peter.
- Take these photos, headline: "Manhattan Terrified by Super Humans - Spider-Man's New Accomplice on the Loose" — Jameson was pointing in the air, and then tried to scratch his back, clearly irritated, turning on Betty's intercom — Miss Brant, I'm sick of this chair, it's giving me the rash, have the other chair brought back, no matter how cramped this place gets.
- I think calling him "Spider-Man's accomplice" doesn't sound very good — Robertson told him — We need another name.
- Ah, time for some Jonah Jameson creativity, huh! What about…
- How about "Ox" — Ted Hoffman squeezed into the room with me and Robbie, the heat was like hell — Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear Mr. Parker describing the individual, big and strong, and running very hard towards Spider, seems like an apt description.
- I didn't ask for your opinion, Hoffman. Take those pictures of Parker and make the headlines!
- But we haven't decided the name yet — Robbie pointed.
- All right, how about "Ox", huh? It has a sound and suits a brute like him, don't you think Hoffman?
- … Yes, Mister Jameson. What's the headline again?
- "Manhattan Terrified by Superhumans - Ox on the Loose" — I said, Hoffman smiled at me, thanking.
- Wait! — Jameson stopped Hoffman once more, making him wedge himself in the doorway — Forget the first title. We are in a new wave of Superhumans, we need a better name than just “Superhumans”, something that gives eloquence… You can put it in big letters: “Manhattan Terrified by The Enforcers - Here Comes Ox”
- Perfect, boss — Ted stumbled out of the office, Robbie close behind.
But what came to my knowledge later is that on the docks, not far from there, some men were gathering. The “Ox” Jameson named had been hiding there since last night, sleeping between two dusty boxes. But not long after, two other people showed up to join him. Ricochet and a cowboy, walking calmly. They were right behind him but walked through there with care too. It was Ricochet who found him first.
-Ray. Ray! Wake up! — He called out to his friend, nudging him.
- No… — Raymond replied.
- Leave it to me, Dan — The cowboy asked, approaching the brute, and kicking him to wake up — Wake up!
- Ugh… Guys! It's good to see all the gang gathered here — Said after he woke up.
- Did you have fun last night? — Said Dan.
- Ah, you know, it's always nice to visit your old place. Good to catch up, I never liked the family of that little shop, they were never nice to me.
- My business is really about money. I even got a grandiose name — He took off his helmet, he was an Asian male in his late thirties — Ricochet! You can build a reputation with banditry like that. Soon you’ll earn your name.
- How was the serum test? — The chaplain asked.
- All very well. I even managed to hit that Spider that's been hanging around for a few months now. He has no right to mess with me, not in my neighborhood, hahaha.
- He's a wimp. At Trump Tower he couldn't even lay a finger on me. He clearly doesn't know what it's like to live in the suburbs, especially in Brooklyn. There the…
- … Banditry is more serious. We've heard this one too many times, Dan — The redneck took off his hat and held it pointing at Ricochet — The man in the paper can call you whatever nickname he wants, but with that ego you're still going to call yourself Fancy Dan.
- At least it has more eloquence than “Montana”!
- Don't say that name like that! It's the best home a man could ask for… — Montana put his hat back on — I miss it so much… But even there is no room for a simple man trying to support his own life. No… It's time we took a little of what this great world metropolis has to offer, since they are not willing to share.
- Where will you want to attack? — Dan asked.
- That's for me to decide! — A voice muffled by a mask came from somewhere in the shed, angrily.
- Boss! — Taurus looked happy— Big Man!
- Yes, Raymond… — He approached, wearing an overcoat, an iron tragedy mask, and a hat — Congratulations on yesterday's operation.
- I didn't like having to attack the other stores… It's still where I grew up, I don't like messing with that. What if the cops get suspicious?
- This shouldn't be bothering you, Bloch. They have a picture of your face, it's only a matter of time before they find your police file!
- How do you know that Boss?
- Just as I know everything, I'm in the right places.
- I just want the money, Boss — Dan took the opportunity to say — I must pay off a mortgage and settle the woman down at home, for God's sake.
- Don't care about him. I trust your good judgment, whatever you come up with for us, I'm sure it's going to make us the greatest criminals in history, Montana hasn't bred any slackers, I'm ready to come back with some prizes laced.
- I only trust you, Boss, I'm tired of trusting someone and not getting anything in return, I don't care if the cops are after me — Raymond finished.
- Silence, all of you! — Big Man approached them — I didn't choose you randomly. Together, we're the biggest criminal force in this city, I'm in places the cops can't imagine, your every operation gives me even more power. Raymond, your name will be known far beyond Seaside Heights. Daniel, I'll get you all the money you want, your family can count on their Brooklyn knowledge. And Jackson... You'll return to Montana triumphant, with the greatest prize of them all in your noose, Spider-Man. Just follow what I say, and you will be the most powerful crime lords in history, my ruthless Enforcers! I already have a job for you, Brice...
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