25: Chapter 25 The Stars Shimmer

"I'm going to crush you, Spider! Then I'll be the hero!" Electro attacked again.

Peter dodged easily, intentionally leading the battlefield toward the East River on the edge of Queens.

He kept taunting his opponent, keeping Electro's attention fully focused on himself to minimize harm to civilians.

Just as they were about to reach the riverbank, Electro suddenly unleashed a precise arc of electricity, severing Peter's Webbing.

Peter lost his balance and crashed heavily to the ground. A sharp pain shot through his leg; his bone might have fractured.

Electro hovered above him, laughing triumphantly: "I'm stronger than you! You'll always be a loser, Spider!"

Peter rubbed his leg and rolled his eyes: "Can I ask a question before I die? Do you like Water?"

Electro paused, stunned. Peter seized the opportunity to shoot Webbing, snagging a nearby fire hydrant, and gave it a sharp yank. A high-pressure jet of Water shot into the sky.

Peter pushed off the wall with his uninjured leg, leaping away to avoid the splash zone.

"You think this can..." Before Electro could finish, the current overflowing from his body made contact with the Water jet, instantly creating a powerful feedback loop.

"Ah!" Electro's whole body convulsed as he fell straight down from mid-air.

"That's basic physics." Peter shot out two strands of Webbing, pulling him closer, and followed through with a heavy punch to his chin.

Electro went flying. Peter jumped onto a streetlight and, from his vantage point, frantically sprayed Webbing, wrapping him tightly from head to toe.

Electro was dazed and dizzy, unable to break free for a moment. But soon, the high heat from his body began to melt the Webbing, sending up plumes of White smoke.

Peter jumped back to the ground, smashing four fire hydrants in succession, flooding the entire street with Water. He quickly swapped in a new Webbing cartridge.

"Your pathetic net can't hold me!" Electro struggled and burned through most of the Webbing.

"Maybe, but I can still make you hurt." Peter wrapped his right hand in thick Webbing and, enduring the pain in his leg, climbed the wall.

The moment Electro completely broke free, Peter leapt from above, slamming a full-force punch into his face. Accompanied by the sound of shattering teeth, Electro lost control and dove headfirst into the standing Water.

"Zzzzt—"

The powerful current fed back into him through the standing Water, and Electro began to electrocute himself. Knowing he would die if this continued, Peter shot Webbing to hang him upside down from a streetlight, binding him tightly with thick, insulated Webbing.

Looking at the still-smoking Electro, Peter's scientist instincts kicked in. How could he store so much electrical energy in his body without dying?

He walked over to a wrecked car on the side of the road, twisted off a broken headlight to use as a test tube, and collected some blood samples from Electro's split chin and gums. He sealed the opening with Webbing and tucked it into a hidden pouch.

His curiosity satisfied, Peter immediately swung toward the center of the incident.

Order was being restored at the scene. He saw Felicia helping an elderly person. Peter breathed a sigh of relief and swung back into the shadows to change back into Peter's clothes.

Five minutes later, he ran back to the scene, panting: "Felicia!"

"Peter!" She saw him, her eyes slightly red.

Peter pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly: "You scared me to death, Kitty."

"I'm fine. Sorry for ruining our date."

"Shut up." Peter lowered his head and kissed her. Felicia was surprised at first, then obediently closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck.

A burst of cheers and applause erupted around them. Peter didn't know if they were celebrating their survival or blessing them, but he didn't care at this moment.

Rescue teams and Police arrived one after another. After an examination, Felicia was found to be unharmed. Peter also saw three black trucks marked with the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo arrive to take custody of the hung-up Electro. Fury was indeed watching him from the shadows.

Peter helped Felicia call a car to head to the school dance.

When they reached the school entrance, Felicia stopped.

"What's wrong?"

"My dress is ruined." She pulled up the jacket Peter had draped over her, revealing the tattered evening gown underneath.

"I think you look perfect." Peter said softly, brushing his lips against hers.

"I'm not going in." Felicia shook her head stubbornly.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"That's a shame. I wanted everyone to see how beautiful you are." Peter pulled her closer, pressing his forehead against hers.

"So I'm just an object to show off?" She raised an eyebrow.

"No, a hero. A hero who saved people tonight." Peter gazed at her, "I want them to see the real you."

"That's not me." She said, a bit insecurely.

"Keep lying to yourself, Kitty. I at least want to dance with you tonight."

"I said I'm not going in."

"Then we won't." Peter took out his phone, found a slow-tempo song, and pressed play.

He placed the phone on a nearby bench and reached out his hand to Felicia.

The melody flowed through the quiet street. Peter wrapped his arm around her waist, and she leaned into his embrace. The two swayed gently to the music.

There was a unique fragrance about her that deeply captivated Peter. He could feel her breathing becoming rapid, and their body temperatures slowly rising in the night breeze.

"Everyone says you're socially awkward, but I didn't expect you to be so romantic." Felicia leaned against his chest and said softly.

"I was just waiting for the right girl." Peter looked down at her.

She was silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up: "Peter... do you want to go out with me another day?"

"Like a date?"

"Yes, a real date." Her eyes were earnest and bright.

"I'd love to, Kitty." Peter smiled, "But I thought you weren't the type to settle down."

"I wasn't before." She admitted, "But you're different, Peter Parker. You're like a puzzle I can't piece together; the more I try to figure you out, the more I can't help but think about you."

"Then when you finally piece me together, will you lose interest?" Peter asked half-jokingly, though there was a hint of nervousness in his heart.

"I won't." She answered softly.

"That's good." Peter chuckled.

The two stopped talking, simply embracing each other quietly, dancing to the music on the street. The starry sky twinkled above them, as if even time had stood still for this romantic moment.