The files were just as they'd hoped—thick, heavy, and filled with information that could unravel Fisk's entire empire. They could practically feel the weight of the truth pressing down on them as they stood in the luxurious office. The man behind the desk, now visibly sweating, stared at them with wide eyes, his attempts at defiance crumbling as he realized just how deep the hole was that he'd dug himself into.
Ethan didn't take his eyes off the files for a second, his fingers lightly brushing over the surface of the man's desk, still warm from his previous activities. The sleek wooden surface was a stark contrast to the grime of the underground world they had just come from. It was easy to forget that people like Fisk could still walk freely when you were surrounded by such opulence.
Peter, however, had a different focus. His eyes were scanning the rest of the room, checking every corner. "You sure this guy is the one?" Peter whispered, pulling his web-shooter to his wrist, ready for anything.
Ethan nodded, never breaking his concentration from the files. "He's the one. He's been funneling money through these accounts for years—dirty, untouchable cash. If we can hit these, we can hit him where it hurts."
Peter took a few steps forward, raising his eyebrows. "Yeah, except now we've got to get out of here without the whole building coming down on our heads. You know, for the guy who's supposed to be leading this operation, you've really got a 'let's go break the system' vibe."
Ethan barely acknowledged the comment, eyes still glued to the files. He flipped them open quickly, his hands flying through the pages. Peter was right. As good as their plan had gone so far, they couldn't afford to stick around for too long.
"This is just the start," Ethan muttered, his voice filled with both certainty and frustration. "We need to expose Fisk's whole operation. If we stop here, it'll only be a temporary victory. We need to take everything down, piece by piece."
Peter grinned, "And, as always, I'll be right behind you." His voice was filled with that same irreverent energy that Ethan had grown to rely on.
For a split second, Ethan looked over at his friend. His body, still stiff from tension, relaxed a fraction. Even in the most dangerous moments, Peter had a way of making things feel less heavy.
"We'll make sure Kingpin never sees it coming," Ethan said quietly, his voice carrying more weight than he intended. Peter nodded without hesitation, a rare seriousness in his eyes.
A loud thud from the hallway made them both snap to attention. Peter immediately ducked behind a bookshelf, and Ethan was on alert, his body tense. The man at the desk, still in his grip, stiffened.
"Who the hell—?" he started to ask, but Ethan silenced him with a hard glare.
Before they could move, the door to the office opened with a sharp screech. Two men in black suits stepped into the room, their eyes scanning the area quickly.
One of them was tall and imposing, his suit perfectly tailored, his eyes sharp and calculating. The other man was smaller but quicker, his posture tense with barely contained energy. They weren't just any hired muscle—they were special.
Peter leaned in closer to Ethan, whispering, "I'm guessing they didn't get the memo about us not being here?"
Ethan didn't respond. Instead, he shifted slightly, angling himself to get a better view. They were cornered, but not outmatched. They had the files. They had the intel. All they had to do now was get out.
"You know what to do," Peter said, his voice almost playful. But beneath it was the familiar rush of danger.
Ethan exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. The air between them thickened with the tension of an imminent fight. These guys weren't just hired guns—they were loyal to Fisk. And that meant they would do anything to stop them from leaving this room with what they had.
With a swift motion, Ethan pulled the man in front of him out of the way, tossing him to the side like a ragdoll. At the same time, Peter shot out a web that collided with one of the intruders, pulling him back and slamming him into a stack of papers.
The second man lunged forward, but Ethan was already on him. With a sharp twist, Ethan disarmed him, sending his weapon skittering across the floor. In one smooth motion, Ethan followed up with a punch that sent the man sprawling.
Peter swung around, dealing with the last one, his webs making quick work of the remaining threat. "Alright," Peter said, standing upright and brushing his hands together. "Now, that's what I call a party crasher."
Ethan wasn't amused. He turned back to the files, already searching through them again. "We're not done yet. These guys won't stop until they have us."
Peter gave him a knowing look, then started pulling out his phone. "Well, while you do that, I'll send the files to Gwen. She can start working on the next part of our plan."
Ethan's focus never wavered. "We can't just keep running from Fisk's men. We need to start hitting him back where it hurts—the public. We need a full-scale takedown."
Peter smirked, "I thought you were all about 'surprise' before. Now you want to play the long game?"
Ethan's voice darkened. "It's not about surprise anymore. It's about finishing what my parents started. Fisk can't just be taken down in the shadows. We need to expose him for everyone to see."
Peter hesitated for a moment, his smile fading slightly. "You're right. But, uh... how are we gonna make sure we get away clean?"
Ethan glanced at him and then back at the files in his hands. His expression was cold, determined. "That's why we need Gwen. She'll help us set everything up. We'll need leverage, and we'll need proof."
Peter raised an eyebrow. "Gwen... really helps out with this kind of stuff?"
Ethan smiled faintly. "She helps more than you think." His tone wasn't light-hearted this time. "She's a valuable ally."
Peter seemed to think that over for a second. "Okay, so we have a plan... now we just need to survive getting out of here." He shot a mischievous look at Ethan. "Should I get the webs ready, or are we going with something more... explosive?"
Ethan didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stood there for a moment, looking at the files. The road ahead wasn't going to be easy. But he had come too far to turn back now.
"We take the stairs. And we make sure we don't leave a trail."
Peter laughed. "I love it when you get serious."
The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, growing louder. It was only a matter of time before more of Fisk's men showed up. Ethan locked eyes with Peter.
"Let's make it count," Ethan said, his voice firm.
Peter gave a thumbs-up, his usual grin reappearing. "Let's go save the world... one building at a time."
And with that, they moved, slipping back into the shadows, ready to face whatever came next. The stakes were higher than ever, but they were in this together—and together, they could take down anyone who dared to stand in their way.
The hallway outside the office was eerily quiet, a silence that felt almost deafening as Peter and Ethan made their way toward the exit. Every creak of the floorboards, every whisper of air, seemed to heighten their senses. The adrenaline coursing through their veins kept their movements quick and calculated. Ethan's mind was racing—there was no time to waste. Every second felt like it brought more danger closer, and they needed to make it out undetected.
Peter, always the more relaxed of the two, couldn't help but crack a smile. "You know, for someone who just got thrown into a world of shadows and crime, you've adapted pretty well." His voice was light, almost teasing, though the tension in his words wasn't lost on Ethan.
Ethan glanced at him, his brow furrowed. "You think I wanted to adapt to this?" He muttered under his breath as he scanned the surroundings, always on high alert. "It's not about adapting. It's about surviving. And right now, I need to make sure Kingpin doesn't come after me again."
Peter's expression softened for a moment, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. "Yeah, I get that," he replied, his voice quieter now, more serious. "But you know you're not alone in this, right? You've got me and Gwen. We've got your back." He clapped Ethan on the shoulder with a half-grin. "And if I can't hack into the system and take down Fisk's empire with my web-shooters, well, Gwen's the brains of the operation. So... you don't have to carry the weight of this alone."
Ethan didn't say anything at first. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate Peter's offer, but there was something more pressing on his mind. He had been doing this alone for so long—he'd gotten used to the weight of the world on his shoulders. Sharing the burden, trusting someone else with his fight, felt... different. But Peter had proven himself. And Gwen too, for that matter. Maybe it was time to stop going solo. Maybe it was time to let others help.
"Yeah, I guess I could use the help," Ethan said, his voice betraying a trace of vulnerability he hadn't allowed himself to show before. "But this doesn't change what's at stake. Fisk is dangerous. He's ruthless. And we're just getting started."
Peter gave a short nod, his demeanor shifting back to the confident, almost cocky attitude Ethan was used to. "You don't have to tell me twice. I've dealt with a few bad guys who think they're untouchable. And trust me, when you've got a guy like Spider-Man on your side... well, the tables tend to turn."
As they turned a corner, the distant sound of footsteps broke their concentration. Ethan stiffened, immediately assessing the situation. The hall ahead was long, stretching far with no place to hide.
"Okay, we need to move," Ethan hissed. His brain clicked into action, and he grabbed Peter's arm, pulling him toward the nearest elevator. There was no time to wait for any other plan—escaping with the files was priority number one. If they got caught here, everything would have been for nothing.
The elevator doors were still open, and with a quick glance over his shoulder, Ethan pushed Peter inside. He followed, his hand going to the emergency button to prevent anyone from following them.
"Don't press that," Peter said, his eyes narrowing. "You're gonna lock the whole building down. We'll never get out of here."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You got a better idea?"
Peter didn't say anything at first, but after a brief pause, he shrugged. "You could always just, you know, web-swing us out of here?"
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, because we're in a skyscraper with no open windows. Not a very good place for that."
Peter grinned. "Fair point."
As the elevator descended, they shared a brief moment of quiet, both of them lost in their thoughts. Peter's mind wandered back to Gwen. She had been a constant in his life, even more so now that they were deeply involved in the fight against Fisk. She was smart, resourceful, and, despite her quieter demeanor, she had a fire that kept him grounded.
Gwen had already made it clear to Peter that she was in this fight as much as he was. From the moment she learned the truth about him being Spider-Man, she jumped in headfirst. That wasn't the type of thing you could fake. It wasn't just the legal advice she'd offered him—it was the trust, the understanding. And that bond, that partnership, had grown over the months they'd been working together.
But this? This was different. This was Ethan's fight. Ethan had a history with Fisk. Peter knew that now. And even though it felt like they were a team, Peter couldn't help but wonder if he was truly prepared for everything this war with Fisk would require. Was he, or was this something bigger than him?
The elevator's familiar ding brought Peter out of his thoughts. The doors opened to reveal an empty hallway, thank goodness. They quickly stepped out, continuing their quiet trek toward the rear exit.
"You know," Peter started, breaking the silence, "one thing I've always wondered about you is how calm you are during all this. I mean, you're not just in the fight against Fisk—you're in the fight against one of the most dangerous men in New York, and you don't break a sweat."
Ethan didn't respond at first. He simply kept walking, his mind racing. Peter's words rang in his head, but only for a moment before he brushed them aside. He wasn't going to let this rattle him.
"I've had to learn not to panic," Ethan finally said, voice cold and measured. "Panic doesn't help. It only makes things worse." He glanced over at Peter. "And as for calm? It's the only thing that keeps me from doing something stupid."
Peter snickered. "Well, that's probably for the best. I've seen what 'stupid' looks like when you're too excited about things."
Ethan gave him a sideways glance, though the corner of his mouth twitched. "Let's just say that I'm not too fond of repeating past mistakes."
Peter caught the hint in Ethan's voice and raised his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay, no need to bring up the embarrassing stuff."
The humor in the moment felt like a brief reprieve from the weight of the situation. For just a few seconds, they weren't hunted fugitives—they were just two guys, trying to make things right. But as the door to the alleyway came into view, the air shifted again. The reality of what they were doing returned.
And just as they neared the door, they heard it—an unmistakable sound. The low hum of sirens growing closer. Fisk's men were already mobilizing.
"We need to get out of here—now," Ethan snapped.
Peter's eyes widened, and he nodded. "This way." With that, he pulled Ethan into the alleyway, disappearing into the shadows just as a squad car sped past the entrance to the building.
Ethan let out a quiet breath. The stakes were rising higher. Every step they took brought them closer to the heart of Kingpin's empire—and every step made it harder to avoid the mess they'd created. But no matter what happened, Ethan knew one thing for sure: There was no turning back now.
The alley was narrow, the darkness enveloping them like a thick blanket. The only sound was the distant hum of city traffic, the occasional murmur of voices coming from the streets, and their own hurried breaths. Peter led the way, his body low to the ground, his eyes scanning every corner, every shadow. Ethan was right behind him, glancing over his shoulder every few seconds, ensuring they weren't being followed.
"I don't like this," Ethan muttered, adjusting the straps on his backpack. "It feels like we're walking straight into a trap."
Peter's lips twitched into a smirk. "You sound like a broken record. Seriously, Ethan, relax. We've got this." He swung a web to a nearby fire escape and easily climbed up, looking down at Ethan. "You coming or what?"
Ethan didn't need to be told twice. He reached for the wall, using the grip of his fingers to scale it with practiced ease, a quick but efficient movement. As soon as his feet hit the rooftop, he glanced at Peter.
"You might have webbing, but I've got my own ways of getting around," Ethan remarked, his voice laced with a hint of smugness.
Peter chuckled as he followed Ethan across the roof, the two of them quickly navigating the labyrinth of alleys and buildings in front of them. The city skyline stretched out before them like a vast sea of lights, the hustle and bustle of New York ever-present, but for now, they were hidden away from prying eyes.
"So, what's the next step?" Peter asked, his curiosity piqued as they reached the edge of the roof and ducked behind a large vent. "You've got the goods, right?"
Ethan nodded, his fingers brushing the edges of the folder he'd tucked under his arm. "Yeah. The documents Fisk's men have been covering up for months. All the evidence of his illegal operations—money laundering, bribery, the works. This could bring him down."
Peter's eyes widened slightly, a mix of admiration and disbelief in his gaze. "So you're really going to take down Kingpin with this? Just you and me, with a couple of files?"
"Not just me," Ethan said with a grin. "You've got that spider-power of yours, remember? I'm pretty sure you're worth more than a couple of files. Besides, Gwen's got our backs too." His tone softened as he mentioned her name. It was clear to Peter that Ethan was growing to trust him—something that hadn't come easy. But trust wasn't something that happened overnight. It took time. And yet, here they were, working together to take down one of the most dangerous men in New York.
"Yeah," Peter said, nodding. "I'm starting to think maybe we've got a shot at this." He took a step forward, his eyes scanning the area. "But, we're not exactly in the clear yet. Fisk's guys are still out there. They're not going to let us walk away with these files so easily."
Ethan's hand tightened around the folder as he thought for a moment. His mind was calculating, running through every possible scenario. "We'll have to play it smart," he muttered. "We can't afford to be sloppy. If we get caught with this, we're dead."
Peter's face grew serious, his usual smirk replaced by the steely determination Ethan had seen in him before. "We won't get caught," he said, his voice unwavering. "Not with both of us on the job."
The two of them fell into a comfortable silence as they made their way across the rooftops, keeping a careful watch on their surroundings. Their destination was a safe house Peter had set up just outside of the city—a place where they could lay low, regroup, and plan their next move.
"Just so you know," Peter said after a while, his voice breaking the silence. "I'm not in this just for the thrill of it. I want to see Kingpin go down, same as you. But I'm also doing it for Gwen." He paused, his eyes flicking to Ethan. "I don't want her to get caught up in all of this. She's been helping me out with the legal side of things, but I don't want her to get dragged into the mess that's about to go down."
Ethan's expression softened slightly. He understood the sentiment. Gwen was smart, strong, and had proven time and time again that she could handle herself. But Ethan also knew that Peter had good reason to want to keep her safe. Kingpin was no ordinary crime lord. He was a monster, and anyone who got too close to him was at risk.
"I get it," Ethan said quietly, glancing over at Peter. "But Gwen's already in this. She's not just going to sit back and let us do all the work. You've got to trust her. She's tougher than she looks."
Peter's lips curled into a faint smile. "Yeah, I know. But that doesn't mean I don't worry."
Ethan chuckled. "You've got a lot of layers, don't you?"
"I'm a complicated guy," Peter said with a wink, his usual charm returning.
As they neared the edge of the rooftop, Peter signaled for Ethan to slow down. They were close. Very close. The safe house was just a few blocks away, tucked in the quieter part of the city. But they weren't out of danger yet. Not by a long shot.
"We need to be careful here," Peter whispered. "Fisk's guys are everywhere. They've got eyes on all the streets. If we're spotted, we're done."
Ethan nodded, his grip tightening on the folder. His mind was racing again. There was no room for error. They had one shot at this. If they made it to the safe house, they could start to unravel Fisk's empire. But if they got caught...
No. They wouldn't get caught. Not now.
Peter led the way, crouching low as they moved through the shadows. Ethan followed suit, staying close to the buildings, moving with precision and speed. Every noise, every whisper, made his senses flare. The city felt alive around them, but it was a different kind of life. One filled with danger, shadows, and secrets.
The world seemed to hold its breath as they crossed the street, ducking behind dumpsters, staying low and out of sight. Ethan's heart raced with every step, but he kept his cool. They had come this far, and they couldn't afford to lose now.
Just as they neared the alley that led to the safe house, the sound of a car engine rumbled in the distance. The headlights pierced the dark, casting long shadows down the street. Ethan froze, his eyes narrowing as the car approached.
Peter motioned for him to stay still. His posture was tense, his muscles coiled, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. The car passed by slowly, the windows tinted, and Ethan couldn't help but feel a wave of dread wash over him.
The car came to a stop just a few feet from them.
"Crap," Ethan muttered under his breath.
Peter gripped the web-shooters at his wrists, ready to act. "Stay calm," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "Just wait for it."
The car door opened. Ethan could hear the shuffle of boots hitting the pavement. Fisk's men.
"Stay low. Let them pass," Peter murmured, already calculating their next move.
They huddled in the shadows, holding their breath, as the footsteps drew closer. Would they be discovered? Would their escape plan go up in smoke?
Ethan's heart raced, his eyes trained on the car as the men approached. The world was moving in slow motion, the pressure mounting with every second.
The footsteps grew louder, each thudding like a countdown in Ethan's ears. He could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating. Peter was still crouched beside him, his form a shadow in the darkness. Ethan was ready to spring into action if needed, but he couldn't help the anxiety that gnawed at him. One wrong move, one slip-up, and everything they had worked for would unravel.
The car's engine shut off, and the sound of the door opening reverberated through the quiet street. Ethan's eyes narrowed as the men stepped out, their heavy boots striking the concrete with ominous rhythm. The tension hung thick like a storm cloud ready to break.
Peter's hand instinctively moved to his web-shooters, his fingers twitching in preparation. Ethan held his breath, hoping their plan—their escape—would work. The men stopped a few steps ahead, seemingly unaware of the two figures hiding in the shadows. For a moment, Ethan thought they might get away with it. Maybe luck was on their side.
Then, one of the men shifted, and the faintest creak of his leather boots hit the ground. The tiniest sound. The smallest slip-up.
Peter froze. His web-shooters were at the ready, but he was waiting, calculating. Ethan could feel his heart pounding in his chest. This was it. Their one shot.
The man's gaze swept over the area as if scanning for something. Ethan stiffened. C'mon, Peter... please. His eyes flicked to Peter, whose head was slightly turned, his movements deliberately slow, careful.
Just as the man's eyes wandered a little too far to the left, Peter shot out a strand of webbing, yanking the nearby trash can toward them. It made a loud crash as it slammed against the alley wall.
The distraction worked perfectly. The men snapped their attention to the noise, moving in the opposite direction. Peter took that as his cue.
Without hesitation, Peter webbed the nearest fire escape and began scaling it with expert speed. Ethan followed suit, his heart pounding in his chest, adrenaline pushing him forward.
The two of them moved swiftly but silently, their feet barely touching the metal rungs. With every second, they were climbing higher, away from the street, away from the men below. Ethan's thoughts raced, his breath coming in quick bursts.
"Too close," he muttered to himself, barely holding it together.
Peter grinned, his eyes glinting with that familiar, mischievous spark. "Hey, that's just a Tuesday for me." His tone was light, but there was no denying the serious edge beneath it.
Once they reached the roof, Peter paused to assess their surroundings, scanning for any signs of pursuit. His Spider-sense was on high alert, feeling every shift in the air. Everything was still.
"Looks like we made it," Ethan breathed out, his shoulders sagging with relief.
Peter turned to him, a grin still on his face. "I told you. Nothing to worry about."
Ethan didn't share the same level of confidence, but he couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over him. For now, they were safe. For now.
Peter crouched low on the edge of the roof, his eyes darting around. "We can make it to the safe house from here. They'll be looking for us down below, but not up here."
Ethan nodded, adjusting the folder under his arm. His fingers brushed the edge of it, and he couldn't help but think about the contents. This was the evidence they needed. The key to bringing down Fisk.
"I still don't like this," Ethan said, his voice low as he adjusted his grip on the folder. "We're not exactly in the clear yet. We don't know how far their reach is. They might have eyes all over the city."
Peter's gaze softened, his earlier bravado fading. "I get it. It's risky. But we've come this far. We just need to get to the safe house, lay low for a bit, and then figure out our next move. We'll be fine."
Ethan wasn't as sure. He'd seen how ruthless Fisk could be. He'd seen it in the way the man operated, the way he controlled everything from behind the scenes. But the evidence in his hands… it was the key to bringing that empire to its knees. And Ethan was determined to see it through.
With a nod, Ethan followed Peter, making his way to the opposite side of the roof where they could drop down into a quieter alley. They moved swiftly, staying in the shadows, avoiding any unnecessary attention. They weren't out of the woods yet. Not by a long shot.
Peter's voice was quiet as they moved. "So, what happens once we get the info to the cops? We've got all the dirt on Fisk, but what if they don't believe us? What if we end up like the people who tried to take him down before?"
Ethan didn't have an answer. He had no idea what would happen next. The only thing he could do was keep moving forward. Keep pushing until they were one step closer to Fisk's downfall.
"We'll make them believe us," Ethan said, determination creeping into his voice. "We've got the truth on our side."
Peter shot him a glance. "Yeah, but that's never stopped him before, right?"
Ethan paused for a moment, thinking back to all the people who'd disappeared, all the ones who'd tried and failed to take down Fisk. It wasn't a comforting thought. But they had something those others didn't. They had the evidence. And that was their ticket.
"Well, let's just make sure we don't end up on the wrong side of the law, yeah?" Peter said, giving Ethan a wry grin.
"Agreed," Ethan muttered. "No one's taking me down yet."
They continued through the rooftops, moving as quickly and quietly as possible. With each step, they drew closer to the safe house, where they could finally breathe, plan, and take the next step toward bringing down Fisk.
Ethan wasn't sure what would happen next, but one thing was certain—whatever it was, he wasn't going to back down. Not now. Not after everything that had happened.
And as they reached the final rooftop before their destination, Ethan couldn't help but feel a strange sense of calm settle over him. They were close. Very close.
But even as he allowed himself that moment of peace, he knew better than to get comfortable. Fisk's men were still out there. And they weren't about to let two guys with a couple of files just waltz away without consequences.
"Let's get moving," Ethan said, snapping himself out of his thoughts. "We've got a long night ahead."
Peter nodded, his face growing serious. "Yeah. But we're not alone in this. Not anymore."
And with that, they made their way to the safe house. The night was far from over, but for the first time, Ethan felt like they had a fighting chance.
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