Spider-Man One Shots

Bullies

Spidey nodded, satisfied with the question, and thought for some seconds before answering.

"I can't tell you much, but there's something I want you all to know. I don't use my abilities for my own benefit; I'm not in any school sports team because it would be unfair, I don't use my enhanced strength to pick on other people, I don't take advantage of my powers at school. Not, at least, when it regards myself."

He had everyone listening intently, waiting with excitement for the words to come. This also included his teammates.

"I'm bullied," he dropped the bomb, taking a few gasps out of the crowd. "If I don't take the beatings, this bully will beat someone else, and I- I just can't accept that. I have enhanced healing, I don't care what the bully does to me as long as it is done only to me." Spider-Man looked down. "I can take down this bully, but I can't risk harming a civilian to protect myself. And I couldn't do it before, so I shouldn't now."

Murmurs arose through the crowd, but they quickly became silent once again when they saw Spider-Man stand up.

"This is a message for every bully out there: please stop. It doesn't matter if it's me or other who's taking the beating, or the harsh words, or the humiliation. No one should have to go through that. Now that you know, I'm giving you all a chance to think about what you're doing to other people and stop."

•××ו

When the news came out to the world, people at schools became cautious. How could they mistreat someone when that person could turn out to be their hero, the person they had worshipped for years? How could anything be the same way it was before when no one was sure who they were treating with?

Knowing the person you are about to yell at could be an Avenger you admire really did put things into perspective.

That wasn't Peter's intention when he did what he did; he had wanted to make bullies think about their actions and stop because they felt that was the right thing to do, not because they were addicted they could be doing something that could ruin them.

But it worked, after all, and that was what mattered. The rate of bullying in high schools dropped dramatically.

Flash was a part of the group who was worried they had been doing something wrong, but only because of what it meant for him, not because he had hurt Peter.

Peter was yanked inside an empty classroom the day just after the press conference by none other than his own bully.

"You can't be Spider-Man," Flash said.

"I- Uh- What?" Peter was plain confused.

"You can't be Spider-Man." There was a dangerous hint of doubt in his voice.

"Thank you?"

"Think fast," Flash said out of the blue, counting on the boy's confusion to make him grab the little eraser he was throwing at his face without realizing he didn't have to do it. It was a quick, harmless way of proving that Peter wasn't Spider-Man, and it would have worked hadn't Peter been too confused and worried to even think. His Spidey Sense had picked up on the object thrown at him, but it wasn't dangerous enough to make his reflexes kick in, and Peter was just too confused to react.

The eraser hit Peter's left eye. Flash sighed in relief.

"I knew it!" Flash smirked in triumph.

Peter came out of his stupor and watched with growing frustration as Flash raised his fist to punch his face. He wasn't frustrated that the boy was trying to hit him, but that he had missed the whole meaning of Spider-Man's words.

The fist made impact.

"You don't get it, do you?" Peter asked while scowling.

"Get what?" Flash asked almost mockingly.

"You don't get that this is not what Spider-Man wanted when he told us all about his bully. He didn't just say it so bullies could pay attention to their victims for the first time, determine if they are a superhero and continue if the answer is no. He said it so bullies would realize that there's something wrong with what they are doing and stop!" Peter ranted.

But Flash had only been growing angry with each word escaping his mouth, and made sure his punches and kicks showed it. "You can't speak on Spider-Man's behalf. You're no one."

But when he was done and heading to the door, Peter spoke again. "What's the difference between doing this to me or Spider-Man? We're both persons. It shouldn't be different."

Flash looked at the floor and didn't turn before leaving in silence.

•××ו

It was almost not noticeable at all, but it was there: the way Flash now seemed to avoid Peter. As usual, each time they saw each other, the bully would find a way to annoy or hurt Peter, but after their encounter in the empty classroom a few days back, Flash seemed to find Peter during school less often.

Peter knew better than to think it was luck.

But what had happened? What had changed?

Peter liked to believe it had been his words, but he didn't know which of his identities to thank, but it didn't matter.

•××ו

"You're pathetic, Parker. Pathetic."

Flash insults had changed, too. They used to be so hard and hurtful that Peter many times believed them, but they had morphed into words that sounded empty and rehearsed. They were so repetitive that they no longer held meaning.

Peter had been giving the bully time; he knew Flash's pride was far too important for him to just drop everything at once for a person he hated, even if his hero had asked for it. But Peter respected that; he understood and simply felt happy and satisfied that Flash was trying and that beatings weren't as bad now. It had a great impact on his performance both at school and as Spider-Man.

Peter was just grateful.

•××ו

Peter watched with interest and happiness as Flash walked by without sparing him a second glance. Being ignored was way better than being beaten, and Peter felt proud that Flash had been able to outgrow his aggressive tendencies even when he believed he wasn't Spider-Man.

Peter felt happy knowing that, all around New York, there were other kids feeling the same way, and he thanked the power his alter ego had granted him that allowed him to help. That's all he had ever wanted.