The Price of An Invention: The Danger Of Being Royalty
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The sun blazes like an oven over the infamous professor Otto Octavius and Spider-man. Otto strikes violently with his left upper tentacle at Spiderman  as Spidey sticks to the ship's smoke stack. The fight has been going on for twenty minutes.


Otto's tentacles like to either agitate him or cheer him on. The voices go in and out of his mind as he thinks to himself, "This arachnid has audacity and energy. What has he been doing, before our little encounter, drinking up energy drinks? The mere idea of his endurance is mind altering."


"Bash him! Bash him! Daddy!" The bottom left says, snaking its way around to get Spider-man as Spidey flips up and down on the smokestack.

"Why don't you climb up further?" the right one asked.

He speaks aloud, not leaving his eye off of Peter Parker.

"Come on professor! You are a scientist. You can use calculus to figure out the dimensions of where I might be. You're not trying! Just give up the access card and I'll let you relax-get a tan-whatever."

"Negotiation is only for business partners- pest!" Otto snorts as seagulls flap quickly by.


The left bottom tentacle swipes at his feet as the right tentacle shoots out a dagger at his head. Spiderman leaned back in the air and  fell downwards. He then shot a web line at the access card. Only seconds later, it was ripped it from Ock's hand.

"He's winning", the dagger containing tentacle interjects," want me to slash him?"

"As they say, 'don't take what isn't yours!' You don't even know how to share!" He takes off from the smokestack to the ships other side, keeping an eye on Ock.

Both of the tentacles swivel back and forth like hissing cobras. They squeal about to attack again.



"Clever jousting, but we are very far from the shore. I don't think you brought any swim wear to accompany your red and blue tights?" He grins as he chases Spider-man from corner to corner on the ship.


Spider-man back flips to the ships edge of several feet high. He prays he won't be dashed against side. He webs up the access card protecting it from water. This split second was not towards his advantage.


Instantly, Doc Ock side swipes him and he falls hard against a midpoint on the railing, falling to a smaller deck below.


The access card goes flying. Ock's bottom right tentacle races towards it ,but the actuator's claw snaps missing it. It plops in a man's black bag of the man tanning below; next to a woman to his right.

The left and upper right tentacle hiss at each other because one of them had missed grabbing the object. This was not part of their father's orders.


"Hmm….innocent bystanders. I know this irritates the red bug," he creeps below to the level Spidey was to be on, as Spider-man webs his left tentacle trying to pull him up. He's pulled down below instead.


The man below sees a shadow on the ship's deck and looks up screaming. The woman in a stripped bikini takes off running as he tries to hit Ock with his black bag. The access card goes flying into the ocean.


Ock's eyes, behind his dark sunglasses, become wide like apples, seeing that his preciously stolen ticket to Osborn technology sank below the surface.
The arms squeal in horror and dive in after it-hitting Spider-man in the face.
Having a major headache from the slam against his forehead, Spidey rubs his face and tries to stand, seeing the situation has been long over-20 minutes.


"So, this is what happens when I don't train on water I get beat up by an octopus. I knew I should have added ship swinging to my list of my work-out plans. But at least all the work was not in vain," he chuckles.


He soon is getting up and walking off the ship along with other sun tanners, "….Harry might want to change his access codes for tonight."


Wearing a sophisticated dark green suit and black tie, Otto tries to act smooth when he strolls to Oscorp, only to have the card rejected at the back entrance.

Another man walks out the back door, tilts his hat at Ock as Ock's anger was about to explode, he tilts his green hat back too. The man skips down the alley way into his black corvette.

His right bottom tentacle named A sneaks out to speak to him, "I can hack into the computer for you."

He growls, " You can try A. B, C , and D . D, Watch out for visitors, especially a very patriotic fellow in red and blue," he scoffs, "who thinks he can stop my cleverness."

Spider-man zips through the city to return to Oscorp Industries seeing if his hunch is correct-or if it's a long shot.

"Doc seems to be up to his normal self. I should invite him to my stress management classes," he jibes, " they seem to help and he could control his anger from it. Maybe his arms can learn how to behave right. He could go to Evil Genius Anonymous."


The red glowing lens of the actuator scans into Harry Osborn's security entrance computer mainframe searching for incoming  data. But it too was blocked by many messages of 'wrong entry' or 'continuing wrong entry will alert authorities.

Ock's temper raises, "I think brute force would be most advisable for this situation," he speaks as his grin turns to a deep angry expression.

The same tentacle asks, "Should I break down the door? The interface would not allow my prying. I tried hard. I hope you are not angry."


"No. If I know Osborn, there is another hidden trap for those equipped with arms. I suspect to try again with a card still in use and not expired at some rotational clock interval, should work. That dreaded insect seems to foil my ideas. One day, he won't foil it. I'll plan for his death first, before my other plans. I have kept Spider-man out of my main list of things to do-destroy for that matter- long enough!"


He growls in rage as the arms whip out, then hide back under his suit. He walks down another alley and rips off the suit, changing into his old wear-a lighter green trench coat-better for summer than his traditional one.


Spidey says happily, upon the top roof overlooking the alley, "Yes! Glad Harry decided to listen to me this time, despite the fact he hasn't really been talking to me."


He then swings over, watching Ock, as he travels down to Times Square, where a large and famous face appears on the screens. It seems that all news has focused on one story and the buildings display a woman's face, The Queen of England.


Spider-man is distracted from following Doc Ock upon seeing  Queen Ella. He looks down from web slinging seeing that he has disappeared.
"He has more in common with a snake than an Octopus. Oh, The Queen of England is talking--that's new."



He swings over to a local pawn shop hearing the TV's speakers blare loudly. He hears a short speech and an end comment from a male voice over, "And this confirms many of her visits over the years were not only inspirational, but very time changing. She has announced that she has a major secret to reveal to the world and this has major implications on America. I say Bob, what could this possibly mean? Well, tune into your local station for the latest updates…"



"Secret…America? Sounds interesting…like other news."


The man continues, "….The Daily Bugle has requested any details involving the notorious red masked man with a recent bar soap robbery. Yes, you heard right. Soap as in what you wash with. Two major companies have been robbed by some insider, possible Spider-man and another criminal stealing soap as a protest against animal fats in their substance. By stealing the soap-a few witnesses agree- this would hurt business that use animal by products for sanitary items. Bob, what is your take on this?"



"So, I'm the Bubbly Bandit now? People get a grip. The main media is so against those who help in unconventional means such as vigilantes. I should retire now but they have no superhero retirement pensions. Guess it's back to my work. I wonder what fragrance I can leave on crime. I admit even my jokes are sounding corny. I need some coffee," He then swings off into the distance.



The Queen left the camera walking down the hallway, of her living corridor lavished in gold, purple and sat down in old fashioned letter writing table.


"I do hope they understand that this is no American Idol. This has more impact than I had imagined. The very nature of the crown is…..oh, who can say it."


Two guards dressed in black with gold buttons, a black hat with red rim, stand at attention near her room.

"Come in," she addressed them. They carry in a wooden box carved intricately.

She then takes it from them, setting it on the desk.


"Well it appears true," she speaks to her self as they leave, "…the land….the land and rules…..oh, oh… how this is of great matter."


She looks to the doorway-one guard stands at attention.

"I think I need another tea time. This is very desperate."


Spider-girl flew through the city as well-skipping school-  trying to avoid her dad and for release of stress. She lands near the school and is getting back before the bell rings and attendance is rechecked.

She rips off her mask with her right hand and tosses into her black book bag-shoulder strap -kind pulling out her other clothes.

"Let's hope old Mr. Higgons doesn't remember me snoozing; not really not being there."



Walking into school as well is Kyle Suivatco, a dark haired, of shaggy nature, ocean eyes, white teeth with a mole- like a tan square on his chin of the right side. He struts into school in blue jeans, a black shirt, bearing some radical sun icon with long arms. He carries at his side, a skate board in his left hand and with his right a can of orange soda pop.


He hums to himself a song from the miniature ear phones in his ear, via his black song player.

"Wow he's hot!" Spider-girl blurts, out in her regular clothes, walking across the street to the massive stone, gray colored school.


"Ok," she rolls her eyes, "true love hardly happens at first site. But wow…I feel I'm in love already. Lust never makes me feel like we are to get wed and dance under the moonlight."


She day dreams while walking into a stop sign. She rubs her forehead as the popular cheerleaders laugh hysterical at her.


"Who needs enemies when you got a day dreaming brain," she sighs heading into the school a senior of 17 too be 18 in a three weeks.


She dashes to class like a mad woman as the cheerleaders scream out.
"May day! May day Parker! Can someone give her help! Ha haha…"
She slides down the hall, trying to not get spotted by the local teachers. They hear a 'thump' and look, seeing out the class door, an empty hall.
She hunches down on all forms and sneaks into her Geometry class. Giggles erupt from the class as her dad stands next to the teacher; shaking his head in disappointment. Mr. Higgons has on the board in large letters her detention.


She smiles, then it turns to a sheepish grin. She stands up and dusts off her pants.


"We have a long talk tonight." He narrows his eyes.

Kyle laughs in the class across from her. She whips her head quickly, seeing he's laughing at a volcano experiment going wrong. The red liquid pours all over the science teacher. She screams, "I should have not worn a new shirt for class experiments."


She turns back feeling pain in her ear. Her dad is pulling on her ear trying to walk her out of the classroom.

"This is so embarrassing," she wines, in pain; teachers soon look at her.


He retorts," So is having a daughter like you. You have lied to me, pretended to be another student, have given a top cheerleader a black eye-"
"She deserved it-"

"And this behavior has got to stop. Good children do not cause trouble."

He let's go of her ear and pulls her arm, walking her out of the school. The sun is as bright as ever, though she still has several weeks of detention in school.

He points to the poor car- a green hatch back. She lowers her head.
"I'm sorry dad-"

"Sorry is given me an apology and actually trying to prove I can trust you gain."
Her eyes water, " You can't?"

"Ever since you put on a new Identity it means you can act aggressive like some kind of super villain."

They enter the car, a quick whiff of green apple air freshener hits her nose," I'm no villain."

"You say you're a hero. You should act that way in your school life and your past school hour life. You can not be a …hypocrite and be good for once."
She cries, "I….didn't mean to skip. I just….wish I had more time with you."


"You'll never come along with me while not keeping up in school. If you want to clean up your image you have to work hard. It hurts me to see you acting this way. My wife and I have tried to raise you well. I mean, J. J never hurts me as much as what you have been doing."


"What can I do…."she turns back and forth, for a second seeing her one friend also skipping.


"No, being Spider-girl until you have the responsibility to do so. I do not masquerade in tights like Mardi Gras. I fight crime where no one else can go. You just put it on like it's some adrenaline high-"


"And you don't?" A car horn splits her sharp reply.


"I don't like your talking back, just listen," his voice lowers. He adjusts vent.


She closes her mouth and listens not looking at him as houses pass by

.
"If you did have some momentary high flying around it eventually wears off then what? Quit and pick up another habit. I do this," he remember back, "…because of my …well trying to make up for something I did wrong and will forever pay."



Her eyebrows lift, "Really?"




"Once you make a mistake on paper you have white out, but touching a life in the wrong way leaves a mark your entire life. I didn't listen to my Uncle who wanted the best for me. I wasn't grateful that I stayed at his house as much as I should. He didn't have to take me in….the point is, don't do something you will regret. I'm not your moral conscious but you should have one, and when it goes silent then something is really wrong. I can force you to go to church Sundays then what? You have to accept for yourself your choices-good or bad. I'm sorry for the lecture…just you really scared me May and disappointed me. You skipping school to go sky diving in your red clothes makes me worry. You are not ready to take on ….criminals as I was."



"I'm almost 18……when will I be?" They hit a bump, as she finishes her reply.


"I'll let you know. You are grounded for two weeks."


"But I got detention tomorrow and…for two weeks as well. It's double punishment," she shakes her head highly loudly.



"No, it's being punished for lying to me, the school deals with your behavior as well."


"If you do want to make up for your behavior, I can reduce it to a week-" A car speeds in front of him.


"Really how?"


"If you help out at home and school-"


"Like what?" She smiles widely at him. She fidgets with her book bag.

Immense bus exhaust soon comes through the vent. They both cough for two minutes before speaking.

"General community service. Go volunteer."

"Man that's no fun."



He shakes  head  while driving her home as safely as possible. The drivers are mad man at the afternoon hours. He soon would buy another car for her-but he's not quite sure, so he drives her too and forth as he tells her, "You should give back not get something out of it. At least feel a pang of selfless caring. I was going to surprise you will a car, but I have to rethink that. I do accept your apology but…I need to trust you again. How can you consider your actions ok?"



She smiles," Well…at least we are taking. The head cheerleader was thinking about cheating in the class election so she took the box and I hit her in the face while she claimed I took it. As for skipping school-I wanted to help, though I did disobey you."




"I don't condone of fighting for any reasons. I do fight to stop crime. This was a crime of a small nature but punching he makes you look bad."



"I realized that. I'm sorry," she glances away from him.

He directs his eyes to her, then flicks them to the road.

"Trying to explain this to your mother is another thing. She doesn't understand your powers very well. She thinks that being normal would be best for you. I tell her that you have a gift for reason. The gory details well….may not allow you to ever wear that costume over again. Just to tell you up front."

"Yeah, I was afraid of that," She looks down as they enter the house.



"Oh, MJ, we need to talk," smoothly he speaks.


Peter points to May's special book bag, " I'll need to take that," he receives the bag.


Sighing, she allows Peter to take her bag with her costume.


"Peter, I made some coffee for you and some root beer float for you."


"Well MJ. It seems May's behavior was not best. She's grounded for two weeks from doing her special activity in which I do too to help the city."


She mouths the word "Oh really."

************************************************

The next day at school she sat quietly at her desk as the other students raised their hands to answer questions as May held her head on her hand glumly.



Kyle rolls a hacki-sack ball near her and whispers, "Hey…Hey…..you…May…can you get that….give it to me."


She turns to see it.


She meets his gorgeous eyes as he sees her light tan eyes and small smile.
"Here," she kicks it with foot toward him.

He picks it up and kisses it. May is shocked.


"Thanks babe," he winks at her. Classmates whisper, with the teachers' back to them.


"Uh….babe? Ok… thanks um?"

They both turn to see if the teacher is looking as he proceeds, "Kyle Suivatco is my name."


"How do you pronounce it?" She smiles. A student is tapping her shoulder. She ignores her.


"Like… Su-vac-toe…and yours?"


"-May Parker….nice to meet you," she says bashing and twirling her hair.
May comes out of the school with a big smiling, walking opposite of him.


"I hope to see you in school again. I forgot I have to volunteer to help the library out!"



She realizes her detention is until 4:30,"Uh, I have….to be some place to."


She rushes in as he rushes behind her like a dog and to it's master.


"Um, Kyle…..where are you from?"

"New York," he spits out nervously. He rubs the back of his neck with his hand.


She giggles, "I mean more specifically, "Um, Manhattan….oh over looking a nice harbor."



"Really? I thought those flats were more expensive than….the other side?"


He hesitates, "Yeah sure….though…it's kind of lonely," the noisy streets make hearing difficult for May and Kyle.


"Really how so?"


"I miss my parents. I stay there mostly with someone who adopted me and moved in. It was quite weird."


"Yeah…what happened?"


"Well, over three years ago some…..jewelry thieves wanted some old artifacts and well….my parents fought them. They chased them out into the street. The…….my parents raced outside as bullets hit them near a parked car. So they got the artifacts. I never did see anyone around. The legal guardian put them in a safe downtown so no one would be tempted to come again. We became the Prince and the Pauper in less than a few years, how sad huh?"



"Yeah," sorry to hear, "well we both have to go…and stuff…"


They then go to other rooms as she asks, "Who is your guardian?"


The sentence hangs in mid air as she then goes to her detention feeling much empathy for his plight. Here the whole time she was concerned with adrenaline high when people do get hurt and that  there is much danger. Her heart doesn't settle down with love and empathy, until cleaning all the windows in the class and organizing the desks out of place. All the while someone was watching the events unfold. The visitor moved past the glass and was gone.