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Jasper sat on the edge of a tall building, staring down below. His mind kept replaying the scene from earlier—people being torn apart right in front of him, their limbs and blood flying everywhere.
He was having a hard time dealing with it. Just moments ago, living people had turned into a mess of flesh and gore right before his eyes.
It was too much.Honestly, it was the first time he'd ever seen something so brutal.
"Clang!!!"
The sound of metal crashing.
Jasper looked over his shoulder and saw Tony Stark.
Tony was suited up in his armor and said, "Hey~ Jasper, you doing okay?"
Just from how Tony addressed him, Jasper knew he'd already looked into him.Figures—it's pretty hard to stay hidden.
But Jasper wasn't scared. It's not like he'd done anything wrong.
"You'll get used to it," Tony said, patting Jasper on the shoulder.
Jasper buried his face in his arms. "You came to comfort me?"
Tony thought for a moment and said, "Kind of."
Then he added, "You and Peter Parker—do you guys have the same powers?"
Jasper realized Tony was talking about Peter.Wow, he already knows Peter's identity too? That was fast.
Still, there were some differences between him and Peter Parker.
After thinking for a second, Jasper replied, "Our basic powers are similar, but we've got some differences. Like, I can move through shadows—he can't. Oh, and lately he's been dealing with some alien tech stuff. If you're bored, maybe give him a hand."
With Tony helping out, that alien tech issue should get wrapped up pretty quickly.
Tony looked at Jasper. Actually, Spider-Man had already come to him for help earlier. That's how he found out Peter Parker was Spider-Man, and while looking into that, he discovered there was something special about Jasper too.
Tony said, "That thing's almost taken care of. By the way, how's the web shooter working out for you?"
"Wait, you made it?" Jasper asked, surprised. He thought it was something Peter built.No wonder it worked so well.
Tony nodded, then offered, "Wanna suit? Bulletproof, comes with glider tech. Of course, I'm not asking you to go out saving people all the time. At your age, just focus on school."
Jasper glanced at him and couldn't help asking, "Are you super rich or something?"
Tony nodded. "So rich I can't spend it all."
Jasper rolled his eyes. Damn capitalism.
"You don't want one?" Tony asked.
"Why wouldn't I?" Jasper said. Getting cool stuff without having to do anything? No way he was turning that down.
Tony chuckled. "Kid, you should head home and try on your new suit."
Jasper looked at Tony, stood up, and jumped straight off the building.
Watching him dive off like that, Tony's mouth twitched.Kids these days... seriously.He watched as Jasper swung away on his web.
Back in his room, Jasper emerged from the shadows in the corner.
There it was—a black spider suit laid out, waiting for him.
Looked pretty badass.
He didn't hesitate—he put it on.
"Welcome to the Shadow Suit," a voice chimed.
"Whoa! It's got AI?" Jasper looked around, and every time he focused on something, info popped up—materials, manufacturer, you name it.
This thing was cool.
Maybe he should go out for a spin?
Knock knock!
Someone was tapping on his window.
Didn't need to guess—it was Peter Parker.
He looked over and saw Peter knocking.
Opening the window, Jasper asked, "What's up?"
Peter looked at him and said, "Wanna go climb the Empire State Building?"
Jasper stared at him for a second, then nodded. "Let's go."
And with that, the two of them swung off toward the Empire State Building.
"Your suit's awesome," Peter said as they swung side by side.
Jasper looked at him. "Yours is cool too."
Peter smiled. "I think so too."
They chatted as they flew through the air, moving fast.
"Hey, someone's getting mugged—I'm gonna check it out!" Peter suddenly said, spotting two guys robbing a woman.
Without hesitation, he dropped down from above.
Peter took care of the two guys effortlessly and returned the woman's stolen stuff.
She was super grateful.
Peter just smiled shyly, saying it was nothing.
Jasper dangled upside down from his web, slowly lowering himself.
"Nice job," he said.
Peter smiled again.
"Wait—there are two Spider-Men?" the woman asked, surprised.
Jasper looked at her and said playfully, "Who knows~?"
"Can I get a photo with you guys?" she asked.
Jasper looked at Peter. "I'm cool with it."
The three of them took a picture together.
The woman left looking totally satisfied.
Jasper and Peter went back to heading for the Empire State Building.
That night...
The two of them were sitting on top of the Empire State Building, chatting about random stuff. Like how Gwen Stacy was super attractive.
Or how Annie was in a league of her own.
"Hey Peter, why don't you ever fight back? Thompson's a total jerk," Jasper asked.He couldn't figure out why Peter didn't just push back. A little effort and he could totally crush Flash Thompson.
Peter looked at him and replied, "I used to be weak. If I suddenly started acting all tough, wouldn't that seem weird?"
Jasper nodded. "Fair point. But if Thompson messes with you again, I'll just steal his girlfriend."
Peter gave him a look. "You're not seriously thinking something weird, are you?"
"He~y!" Jasper grinned, then jumped right off the building.
Peter jumped after him.
Monday.
Gwen Stacy was chatting with some girls.She told them there were two Spider-Men.
At that moment, Jasper and Peter glanced at each other.
"It's what my mom said! She even took a photo with both of them!" Gwen said, pulling out her phone and showing the pic.
Some of the girls believed her, others didn't—after all, it's easy to fake photos nowadays.
Jasper looked at Peter and whispered, "Man, what are the odds?"
"....."