The Spider-Grind

Midtown High bustled with the usual teenage drama, amplified by the absence of Dr. Connors and the ongoing reconstruction of the destroyed lab. Students whispered about the chaos that had unfolded, oblivious to how close they had come to real danger.Rumors also swirled about who would replace Dr. Connors, and the administration had promised an announcement soon.

Ethan leaned against his locker, watching the jocks loudly discuss their recent social escapades in the canteen.

"Harry Osborne threw the craziest party last weekend!" one of them exclaimed. "You should've been there, man. Insane!"

"Harry's back in town?" Ethan muttered, arching an eyebrow.

Peter joined him, balancing a tray of food. "Yeah, apparently. Not like I'd know. Guess we're not exactly friends anymore."

Ethan frowned. "You didn't get an invite? Harsh."

Peter's face dropped for a moment, but his attention quickly shifted as a familiar redhead walked by, her laughter filling the room. Mary Jane Watson, as radiant as ever, was talking to one of her girlfriends. The usual confident smirk she wore when with Flash was missing.

"She broke up with Flash," Gwen said, joining them with an apple in hand. "Seems like Flash finally ran out of charm—or patience."

Peter's eyes lit up. "She's single now?"

"Yep," Gwen confirmed, taking a casual bite.

Ethan rolled his eyes, catching Peter's gaze lingering on MJ. "Don't even think about it."

"What?" Peter feigned innocence, but the telltale blush betrayed him.

"I'm serious," Ethan continued. "There's nothing but trouble there. Besides, if you're looking for someone special, maybe look closer to home. Maybe someone who actually gets you."

Peter frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ethan shot a pointed look at Gwen, who was now studiously focused on her apple. "You'll figure it out eventually, genius."

Peter shook his head, mumbling, "MJ's different."

"Different doesn't always mean better". Ethan sighed, muttering, "We've got bigger problems than your love life right now."

---

The city felt alive with tension that night, its energy electric and dangerous. Ethan perched on a rooftop, his mask lined with the NeuroShield Alloy he had designed. Psylocke's presence was subtle but unmistakable—he could sense her before he saw her.

"You're predictable," she said, stepping out of the shadows.

"I aim to please," Ethan replied, his voice light with sarcasm."What brought you here Psylocke ? Miss me already?".

"Don't flatter yourself," Psylocke snapped. "I'm here because we're after the same target. Kingpin is working with The Hand, and he's experimenting on mutants."

Ethan's expression darkened. "Experimenting how?"

"They're enhancing their abilities, twisting their DNA," Psylocke explained. "And Kingpin isn't working alone. He's taking orders from someone that's called 'Sire,' 'Father,' or occasionally 'Daddy.'"

Ethan froze for a moment, his mind racing. Sire? Father? Daddy? This is starting to sound way too familiar.

Psylocke narrowed her eyes. "You know something, don't you?"

Ethan hesitated. He'd pieced together enough clues to suspect the mastermind behind Kingpin's actions, but he wasn't ready to share it with someone he barely knew. "Not yet. Let's just say I've got some theories."

Psylocke narrowed her eyes. "I don't trust you or your friends, but we're chasing the same target. For now, I'll share what I know."

"Gee, thanks," Ethan said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Psylocke's ignored hin. "There's an abandoned Hand base in Hell's Kitchen. It's worth investigating ."

"Sounds fun," Ethan said. "I'll bring my team."

"No," she said sharply. "This isn't a group project. You and I will handle the base. Your friends can deal with the smaller threats."

Ethan smirked. "Didn't realize you were so eager to spend time with me."

Her glare could've frozen steel. "Don't push your luck."

---

At their meeting spot, Ethan relayed Psylocke's information to Peter and Gwen.

"So, we're splitting up again?" Gwen asked, leaning against a wall.

"Yep," Ethan said. "You two get the exciting job of busting an arms shipment. Psylocke and I will handle the old, worn down creepy ninja base."

"Why do you always get the fun missions?" Peter complained.

"Because I'm better at handling angry telepaths," Ethan shot back.

Peter sighed. "Fair enough. Just don't get yourself killed. We're a package deal now, remember?"

Ethan grinned. "Relax, Spider. I'll be fine. Just try not to let the shipment blow up."

---

The abandoned Hand base was hidden beneath an old textile factory, its entrance concealed behind layers of brick and shadows. Ethan followed Psylocke through the maze-like corridors, his senses on high alert.

"Any idea what we're looking for?" he asked.

"Documents, tech, anything that links Kingpin to The Hand's experiments," Psylocke replied.

The base was eerily quiet, its walls adorned with faded symbols and rusting weapons. Ethan's adaptive instincts were working overtime, scanning every sound and movement.

They reached a laboratory deep within the base, its equipment still functional despite the dust. Psylocke began rifling through files while Ethan examined the machinery.

"Look at this," Psylocke said, holding up a folder. "Blueprints for mutant containment devices. Kingpin's planning to mass-produce these."

Ethan's jaw tightened. "This confirms it," he muttered under his breath.

"Confirms what?" Psylocke asked, her voice sharp.

Ethan hesitated. "I'll explain later."

Before Psylocke could press him, his enhanced senses flared. "We're not alone," he said, stepping in front of her.

The shadows came alive as Hand assassins emerged, their blades gleaming.

---

The assassins attacked with deadly precision, their movements swift and silent. Ethan countered the first strike with ease, his body adapting to their speed and strength.

"Stay behind me," he told Psylocke.

"Not a chance," she replied, igniting her psychic blade.

They fought as a seamless unit, Psylocke's precise strikes complementing Ethan's raw adaptability.

"You're not bad," she admitted as she dispatched an assassin.

"Thanks," Ethan said, taking down another with a well-placed kick. "You're pretty good yourself."

Psylocke rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the faint smirk tugging at her lips.

The fight was brutal but short. As the last assassin fell, Psylocke turned to Ethan.

"You're more capable than I expected," she said.

"Comes with the territory," Ethan replied with a grin under his mask.

---

Meanwhile…

Across the city, Peter and Gwen were dealing with their own challenges. The arms shipment was heavily guarded, forcing them to rely on agility and teamwork.

"Think Ethan's having more fun than us?" Peter asked, dodging a barrage of bullets.

"Probably," Gwen replied, webbing a guard to a crate. "But at least we don't have to deal with Miss Doom and Gloom."

"True," Peter admitted, launching himself into the fray.

---

Back at their meeting spot, Ethan shared what he had learned with Peter and Gwen.

"Kingpin's working for someone," he said. "And I think I know who."

"Who?" Peter asked, leaning forward.

Ethan hesitated. "I'll explain everything soon. Just trust me on this—things are about to get a lot worse."

As the trio planned their next move, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that their fight was about to get worse.