Chapter Twenty-Two: Peter Parker

Midtown, New York City. A typical high school where Peter Parker, also known as Spider-Man, attended.

Arthur slung his backpack over his shoulder, his golden hair cropped short, dressed in a gray hoodie, jeans, and skate shoes—a rebellious youth in appearance. This outfit suited his desire to keep a low profile.

He made his way to the principal’s office, handed over the letter of recommendation from Coulson, and was smoothly enrolled. The academic term had already begun, so Arthur entered as a transfer student into Class 02 of the Biology Department—the same class as Peter Parker, as Arthur had already investigated. His personal information stated he was seventeen, previously studying at London’s Second Secondary School.

In the Biology Class Two classroom, students sat neatly awaiting the lesson. Peter Parker sprawled across his desk, books open, his stomach aching terribly. Just moments ago, he’d gotten into a scuffle with Flash from the neighboring class while standing up for a classmate named Gordon; he’d taken a beating, and his camera had been smashed. His mood could hardly be worse.

At that moment, the homeroom teacher entered. “Hey, quiet down, everyone. Today, we have a new student joining us. Let’s give him a warm welcome.” The class applauded politely.

Arthur walked in and stepped onto the lectern, gazing at the students below. The familiar feeling of school life returned.

“My name is Jon Arthur. I’ve transferred here from London’s Second Secondary School. I hope you’ll take care of me.” He kept his self-introduction short.

A smattering of applause followed—none of the shrill screams from female classmates that novels often describe when a new student arrives. Arthur felt a little awkward.

“All right, let’s welcome Arthur to the class. Arthur, please find a seat.” The teacher gestured.

Arthur made his way to an empty seat in the last row and took out his textbook.

“Good, let’s begin today’s lesson.” The teacher started the class...

Arthur listened to the droning voice, struggling to keep his eyes open—he could barely follow the material. His attention shifted to his classmates, especially Peter Parker, who sat not too far away with his head on his desk.

The afternoon passed quickly. At the end of the day, students bustled out, except for Parker, who remained slumped over.

Arthur approached him. “Hey, school’s over. Aren’t you leaving?”

Peter looked up at him. “Oh, yeah, I’m going.”

“I’m Jon Arthur, just transferred here today.” Arthur extended his hand.

“I’m Peter Parker.” Peter shook his hand.

The two left the school together, heading toward the bus stop. Arthur could sense from Peter’s silence that he wasn’t in the best of spirits.

“Are you all right?” Arthur asked with concern.

“I’m fine.” Peter managed a strained smile.

“Where do you live?”

“I’m in Queens. What about you?”

“I live pretty far away—near Old Field Point by the seaside.”

“You live that far?” Peter was surprised.

“I’ll head off then. See you tomorrow!”

“See you tomorrow!”

...

Thus, Arthur began his student life. Though he struggled to keep up with the coursework, he worked hard to catch up.

One sunny morning, Arthur arrived at school in an Audi he’d managed to extort from Tony Stark. He walked to his locker in the hallway to retrieve his books. Just then, three boys approached from behind. The leader was tall, broad-shouldered, and sported a buzz cut. The other two were fairly unremarkable.

“Hey, I heard you’re the new transfer?” The buzz-cut boy spoke with a challenging tone.

“I don’t know you. Move aside, please—you’re blocking the way,” Arthur replied coolly.

“Yo, you’ve got some attitude, huh? Ha ha...” The trio chuckled.

“Flash, what are you doing? He’s my friend!” Peter suddenly appeared, stepping between Arthur and the others.

“Oh, Peter Parker. Did last time’s lesson teach you nothing? Still trying to play hero?” Buzz-cut Flash reached for Parker’s collar.

At that moment, a hand shot out faster than Flash expected, grabbing his wrist. Peter turned and saw it was Arthur, who gave him a reassuring glance.

“So you’re the one who bullies Peter?” Arthur twisted Flash’s wrist sharply. There was a crack, and Flash’s thick wrist was dislocated.

“Aaagh...” Flash howled in pain, drawing the attention of nearby students.

“This is just a warning. Think before you act in the future,” Arthur said, then kicked Flash in the stomach, sending him flying two meters and crashing to the ground.

The bystanders were stunned. Flash had always been the bully, but today someone had finally put him in his place. His two cronies, seeing Arthur’s strength, didn’t dare step forward.

“You two, take him to the nurse’s office. Peter, let’s get to class,” Arthur said, leading Peter away.

The cronies quickly helped Flash up and hurried him to the infirmary.

Peter said worriedly, “You just beat up Flash. He’ll probably try to get back at you.”

Arthur shrugged, utterly unconcerned. “Let him try. If he comes at me again, I’ll break his legs.”

Peter thought Arthur was joking.

For the next few days, Arthur went to and from school as usual. Flash was nowhere to be seen, and Arthur soon forgot about the incident—until Friday afternoon after classes.

Arthur and Peter left the classroom together and headed outside. As they exited the school gates, a crowd blocked their path.

The leader was a bald, muscular man. Beside him stood Flash, and around them were a dozen or more young men—rough types, clearly up to no good.

“Jed, that’s him,” Flash said, pointing at Arthur.

“So you’re the one who beat up my brother?” The bald man stepped up to Arthur.

“I taught him a lesson, yes. Now you’re blocking my way home. I’m in a good mood today, so I’m telling you to get out of my way. Otherwise, suffer the consequences,” Arthur replied, unbothered.

“He wants us to step aside, ha ha ha...” The bald man and his gang burst out laughing.

“You think you can hit my brother and just walk away? If I break your arm, we’ll call it even,” the bald man said menacingly.

“What do you want?” Peter shouted, stepping in front of Arthur.

Arthur pulled Peter aside, telling him to stay put. Peter was reluctant, but Arthur insisted. Then he addressed the group, “Come at me all together. I’m in a hurry.”

“I’ll teach you a lesson today! Get him, boys!” The bald man threw a punch at Arthur.

Arthur caught his fist with ease. No matter how hard the man tried, Arthur’s grip didn’t budge. With a kick to the man’s shin, Arthur bent his leg into a grotesque angle, snapping it.

Flash and the others rushed at Arthur, wielding wooden sticks and metal pipes. Arthur weaved through them, striking with his feet—each kick shattering an attacker’s shin.

In the blink of an eye, every one of them lay writhing on the ground, moaning in pain. Arthur turned to the dumbfounded Peter Parker and tapped him on the head. “Don’t just stand there. I told you, if they came again, I’d break their legs. Now call the hospital for ambulances.”

Peter was stunned. He’d known Arthur looked fit, but hadn’t expected him to be this formidable.

Suddenly, a police car arrived. Two officers jumped out, guns drawn, aiming at Arthur and Peter as they surveyed the scene.

“Don’t move! Hands on your head!” one officer shouted.

Peter immediately complied. Arthur, however, was unfazed, reaching into his pocket.

“Don’t move! One more move and I’ll shoot!” the officer warned, tense.

“Relax, I’m just making a call,” Arthur said, pulling out his phone. He dialed Coulson and explained the situation, asking him to take care of things.

A minute later, the officer’s phone rang. He answered, then returned with a beaming smile for Arthur.

“These people were fighting illegally. Take them all away,” Arthur instructed.

“Yes, sir. Have a good day!” The officer’s attitude was now entirely different.

(Spider-Man’s story here blends elements from The Amazing Spider-Man and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man films.)