New York City has always been a bustling place, full of people constantly on the go. But the city that never sleeps has the ability to gather the largest concentration of superheroes in one place. In terms of the ratio of supervillains and superheroes to ordinary people, New York was the number one city for superheroes.
At one of the city's many banks, the police sirens of officers in blue surrounding the perimeter filled the streets. Inside, customers and employees lay on the floor, terrified.
"Shit, shit, shit." In the center of the room, carrying a bag full of money, stood a woman in a quilted brown suit. Her face was covered with a mask of the same color. "Who the hell called the police?"
Shocker dropped the bag to look out the window, assessing his options. "They're just cops, they're just cops," he repeated to himself. He could do it; his vibration-wave gloves would take care of the cars, and then he'd just have to make his escape through the alleys.
She turned to pick up her bag, but when she did, it was no longer there.
"Huh? Where is it?" Shocker began looking around, desperately searching for the bag. Then he noticed his hostages, pointing their arms. "Who did this?!"
One of the hostages, a young African American woman, pointed to the ceiling. Shocker looked up, where he found the bag stuck to the ceiling with a bunch of cobwebs.
Shocker froze; that could only mean one thing.
– Oh shit… – a spider web stuck to his mouth, preventing him from speaking.
– That mouth, Henrietta, I thought they taught you manners in prison.
A lively voice spoke to him from a pillar. There, perpendicular to the ground, stood a man dressed in a suit white on the torso and black on the shoulders and feet. On his chest was an enormous red spider with its hind legs crossed. His black mask had two expressive red eyes with green outlines, accompanied by three smaller green eyes above the two main ones.
– Efiferman!
"Excuse me what?" Spider-Man put his hand to his ear. "I don't understand you. Didn't you know it's rude to talk with your mouth full? Wow!"
Shocker aimed his arms, firing a shockwave at Spider-Man. He easily dodged it, leaping across the bench while distracting Shocker and drawing his attention away from the hostages.
– I have to admit, Henrietta, you really know how to leave the audience in shock.
Shocker tore the cobweb from his mouth, finally able to speak. "I'm going to crush you, insect!"
– Arthropod, because spiders are arthropods. After all these years you're still confused? Although, well, technically I wouldn't be...
– I just wanted the money! But you had to show up!
"Well, if that's what you wanted, then it's all yours." Using his web-shooters, he hurled the heavy bag at Shocker, who rolled several times before coming to a stop.
After shaking her head, she pointed at Spider-Man, who was standing in front of her.
The moment he did so, the hero caught his arms in the nets, pulling him down. The powerful shockwave hit the ground, lifting Shocker into the air.
Spider-Man propelled himself up to the ceiling with webs, kicking her to keep her airborne. With a swift movement, he snatched the shockwave gauntlets from her.
– I'll keep this.
Without giving her a break, Spider-Man began to shoot webs indiscriminately, ensnaring Shocker in a cocoon. The villain was left hanging in mid-air, entangled in a web that seemed impossible to break.
– And wrapped as a gift.
– Damn you, Spider-Man! You'll see when I get out!
"Yes, yes, you've said that many times." The hero began examining the gauntlets. "Hey Henrietta, you've had these since I've known you. Haven't you thought about giving them up? I mean, it's clear these gadgets haven't helped you much."
"You're not the one to give me advice!" shouted the villain. "You go around dressed like a geek."
Spider-Man made a stifled sound, deeply offended. "Excuse me, but my suit is very nice. Oh, look at the time, I'm late. Be good, Henrietta, I'll send you some homemade cookies." Spider-Man darted toward one of the windows, waving to the police officers who were entering. "Great work, officers, keep it up. Oh, and tell your colleagues in the Bronx to stop shooting at me when they see me. Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man signing off!"
Spider-Man disappeared into the distance, propelling himself with his web towards the horizon.