A Rider Kick in Marvel ch 14

Brave scrambled to get more Recover items by opening chests and distributing them to people who were injured. The people who experienced the healing process felt nothing short of a miracle. George was placed on a gurney and is now being checked by paramedics. They did some tests and overall he is fine.

“You are looking fine Captain but you lost a lot of blood. I suggest we bring you to the hospital and perform a blood transfusion,”

George nodded to the paramedic and they were about to carry him into the ambulance but George stopped them for a moment. George looked at Brave and Spider-Woman.

“I would like to thank you two again for helping with the situation. Without you two the damage may have been greater,” said George

“You’re welcome, Captain. But don’t thank us yet. Vermin the giant rat escaped to the sewers. He will come back.”

“Right… I’ll have my men search for it.”

“I do not recommend that. The sewers are a maze and it is its territory. Like a fish in water. If you send people blindly you are just asking for more casualties.”

“I did not think about that.”

“I think it is time for you, Captain, to get some rest. You already have been skewered today so just leave all that police talk next time,” interjected Gwen. She wanted her father to rest and not push himself any longer.

The paramedics carried George inside the ambulance and drove off. Gwen felt relief that her father would be safe but she felt a heavy guilt in her heart. She felt suffocated and left the area. Brave saw her leave and could not help but worry.

…

Gwen arrived on top of the Empire State Building and contemplated her actions. She thought everything would be fine being Spider-Woman but she underestimated the weight of her responsibility. She thought saving some people would be fine. She got on TV and even performed in a band. Being Spider-Woman made her feel special. The people love her and she thought everything would continue just like that. Until a few hours ago that is. She fought a giant rat monster and almost got hurt until Kamen Rider saved her. She also witnessed her Dad getting stabbed. She really thought she would lose her father at that moment. It was all thanks to Kamen Rider for saving the day again. Compared to him she is just a pretender.

“It is a beautiful view isn’t it.”

Gwen looked behind and saw Brave standing there.

“What are you doing here?” Gwen asked

“Just looking out for a fellow hero.”

“Compared to you I’m no hero.” Gwen buried her head on her knees

“What makes you say that?”

“You saw me today. Couldn’t beat an overgrown rat and I couldn’t save those people.”

“Hey, don’t sell yourself short. You also saved a lot of people. Just because you fail doesn’t mean you are not a hero.”

“I’m not a hero!” Gwen shouted feeling very stressed. How could she be a hero when she only did this for the thrill and attention.

“...Is it because you almost lost your father?”

Gwen flinched and looked at Ace. “You… you know who I am?”

“Yes, I have my ways. I know who you are, Gwen Stacy.”

Gwen wanted to feign ignorance but conceded. She took off her mask and looked at Ace.

Ace saw her eyes were red because of her crying. He could see in her eyes she was confused and didn’t know what to do.

“Did you know why I became Spider-Woman?”

Ace did not respond and let her continue.

“Because I wanted to be free. When I saved those people and when they thanked me I felt special. I felt like I could do anything I wanted.” Gwen was reminiscent of the time she first started as Spider-Woman.

“...But when I saw my Dad nearly dying I felt powerless… Even when I had powers I couldn’t do anything. My friend said to me if I continued what I was doing I was going to get hurt or someone close to me will. I guess he was right.” Gwen remembered Ace’s words. He warned her but she did not listen and almost paid the price.

Ace put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. “You have a good friend. He is only looking out for you.”

“Yeah, I guess he was. Now you know why I’m not a hero. I’m just a girl running away from the responsibilities her dad set.

There was silence for a few moments before Ace spoke.

“...Having power is great, isn’t it? With enough power, you can be free, and gain riches and fame. You can also destroy whatever you please.”

Gwen listened to Ace speak and she could relate a little.

“That is why I believe we also have responsibility. To be honest Gwen, the power I wield did not originally belong to me.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Gwen asked

“The power and armor I wield belonged to many people before me. They were heroes who fought for peace and justice. But not all of them were like that. Others used their power to further their ambitions and harmed many people. They were called Kamen Riders

“Is that the origin of your name?”

“Yes, I have received their legacy. All of their powers and abilities. It was also sudden. With no warning or message, I have gotten their legacy. With their power, I could do anything I wanted and it would be easy, but I didn’t. The Kamen Riders are heroes and I want to continue their legacy. Their power comes with a responsibility and I plan to carry it.”

Gwen listened to Ace and she could feel his conviction. She was in awe and thought how amazing the man in front of her was. He has all this power and does not even think of abusing it but just wants to help people. Her respect for him grew.

“I could also see the same with you Gwen.” said Ace

“Huh?”

“I have been watching you. You have been given these gifts and I could see you genuinely want to help people. You can be a true hero.”

“I told you I’m not a hero. I just did it for attention.”

“Perhaps but you still helped those people. You also did not run away when Vermin attacked. A hero does not run away but stays and fights for the right thing.”

Gwen looked at Ace and she felt a spark of hope. Ace stood up and held his hand out for Gwen.

“I want to help you, Gwen. You are only misguided but I’m sure you will find the right path. And together we can save more people and make a difference.”

‘Could I really be a hero?’ Gwen reached out hesitantly but found the courage to hold his hand. She stood up with her feelings resolute.

‘No, I can. No longer for fame but just to help people in need.’

Gwen looks at Ace and sees the big yellow eyes of his helmet.

‘And if it is to lessen his burden and responsibility he carries. I will help him.’ Gwen thought and she began blushing a little.

“It seems you have found your answer, Gwen.”

“Yes, thank you Kamen Rider. For helping me find the way. And it will be a pleasure to be working with you.” Gwen smiles

“Me as well.”

“So where should we start?” Gwen asked

“Well first off. That suit needs to go.” Ace pointed out Gwen’s homemade suit full of holes and dirt.

“Ahahaha…” Gwen laughed depressingly. Now she is out of the dumps. She noticed her suit and she did not want him to see her like this.

“Take this, you can use it to contact me.” Ace gave Gwen a Battacandroid.

“Cool!”

“You should also head home Gwen. It is already late and I’m sure your mother has received the news about your father. You need to visit him at the hospital.”

“Right! I need to go!” before Gwen leaps out of the building. She looks at Ace to thank him again.

“Thank you really, for everything.”

Ace saw her swinging home and is relieved Gwen is now on the right path.

“Good for you Gwen. You have found your path.”

Ring Ring

Ace suddenly heard his Stag Phone ringing and answered.

“Hello, Izu? What’s wrong?”

“Ace-sama, there has been an incident.”

“What happened? Ben Parker-sama is dead.”

“What!”

.

.

.

Ace arrived at the Parker residence and saw cop cars outside the house. Ace rushes inside and sees Aunt May crying while she is being questioned by the cops. Mary Jane and her mother are beside her comforting her.

“Aunt May, are you okay?” asked Ace, worried about how she was handling her loss.

“Ace… why are you here?” said Aunt May with tears in her eyes

“I heard what happened to Uncle Ben. I came here as soon as I could.”

“Thank you Ace… it is great you could come.”

“Of course, where is Peter?”

“He could not handle the news of Ben’s death. He ran away before I could stop him.”

“I’ll go find him Aunt May and bring him home. MJ, take care of Aunt May.”

“Okay, make sure to bring Peter back,” MJ replied

Ace nodded and rode off to find Peter. He called Izu to search for Peter.

“Izu, can you find Peter?”

“He is currently inside of an abandoned building chasing the murderer Ace-sama.”

“Send me the location.”

Izu sent the location to Ace’s hub and sped through the streets at full speed. Ark will take care of the cameras that caught him later.

He arrived at the location and saw police cars and officers surrounding the building.

“We have you surrounded and surrender immediately.” said one of the officers on a speaker.

crack

The glass suddenly shattered and a man dropped down 3 stories while being tied up by webs. The police thought he jumped but saw him hanging a few feet off the ground. They checked and saw it was the murderer who killed Uncle Ben.

“Get me out of here! A monster is in there!” the murderer screamed as if he lost his mind. Making the cops confused and just chucked it into hysteria.

Ace saw a man hanging on the side of the building looking over the situation and swung away. It was Peter and Ace chased after him. Ace caught up to Peter and found him slumped in an alley. He was holding his head and Ace could see he was in a lot of distress.

“Peter…” Ace called him out.

Peter panicked and thought he was discovered until he saw it was his friend. “Ace…”

“Peter, let’s go home. Aunt May is worried about you.”

“How could I go home… Uncle Ben is dead and I let him get killed! If I didn’t run away, if I just stopped that guy Uncle Ben would still be here.”

Peter blames himself for his uncle’s death. He had power but could not help him.

“Peter, don't blame yourself. You're not at fault for his death.”

“I am, I met that guy earlier today. Because I let him go Uncle Ben is now dead.”

Ace put his hand on Peter’s shoulders. “Peter you’re not omnipotent so you could not have known. Don’t blame yourself. You captured the murderer and brought him to justice.”

“I was selfish, so selfish, and Uncle Ben paid the price. He said power comes with responsibility. And I have great power so I must have great responsibility. It was the last lesson he taught me.”

Peter stood up and clenched his fist and his resolve. “I will never let down Uncle Ben again. I will never forget this night. A night I could have stopped.”

Ace saw the true birth of Spider-Man. He would have been happy but couldn’t as this night is a tragedy and not a celebration.

“I’m sure he will be proud to see you now Peter. Come on, let's go home, everyone is waiting.”