[Toomes sighed. "Peter, you're still young. You don't understand how the world really works."]
[Spider-Man pointed at him and snapped, "Yeah? But I do know that selling weapons to criminals is wrong!"]
[Toomes remained unfazed. "And how do you think your friend Stark built his empire? That tower of his? All those fancy gadgets?"]
[His voice carried a hint of resentment as he continued, "Those people, Peter. The ones at the top. The rich and powerful. They do whatever they want."]
["They don't care about people like us—people like you and me! We pave the way for them, we fight their wars, and they don't even look back!"]
["We pick up their scraps and survive on their leftovers. That's just the way it is! And I know you understand what I'm saying, Peter!"]
[Spider-Man frowned. "Why are you telling me this?"]
["Because I want you to see the truth... and because I needed time to start this." Toomes suddenly picked up a knife from the table.]
[In the next second, his mechanical wings burst through the wall, surging toward Spider-Man. Peter instinctively flipped backward to dodge them, but while he was distracted, Toomes swiftly cut through the webbing that bound him.]
[The mechanical wings began slashing wildly, tearing through the factory, severing several of the building's load-bearing pillars.]
[Toomes chuckled darkly. "I'm sorry, Peter."]
["What are you talking about? That thing hasn't even touched me yet!" Spider-Man scoffed, keeping his eyes on Toomes—but failing to notice the structural damage being done around him.]
[Toomes spread his arms and said with a calm smile, "Exactly. I never planned on hitting you."]
[It was only then that Spider-Man realized—the wings weren't trying to attack him. Their real target had been the building's supports. One by one, the remaining pillars gave way.]
[With a deafening CRACK, the ceiling above collapsed, burying Spider-Man beneath a massive pile of rubble.]
—
"Oh my God! Peter!" Aunt May, who had been smiling moments ago, suddenly covered her mouth in horror.
"He won't die that easily," Natasha remarked, narrowing her eyes. "This might trap him for a while, but it won't be enough to kill him—not unless no one comes looking."
"Spider-Man… he talks way too much," Tony sighed, shaking his head. "Has he really not learned his lesson after what happened with Sam and the others?"
"Yeah, this is the second time he's been taken down mid-monologue," Banner muttered, nodding in agreement.
"Oh, man, I hope he's okay," First-generation Spider-Man muttered, rubbing his face with worry.
Gwen placed a hand on his shoulder and reassured him, "He'll be fine. Don't forget—he's Spider-Man. Even if he's not as strong as you, lifting a few pieces of rubble shouldn't be a problem."
Otto, however, wasn't convinced. "That's not necessarily true. He relied a lot on the suit Stark gave him. He never really had to push himself physically before. I'm not sure he has the strength for this."
First-gen Spider-Man took a deep breath, his gaze steady. "I believe in him. He's still another me, after all."
—
[Meanwhile, inside the factory, Toomes received a call from Mason. "Boss, they've started the engine! You need to move!"]
["Okay! Yeah! I'm on my way."] Hanging up, Toomes cast one last glance toward the rubble where Spider-Man had been buried, sighed, and left.]
[He strode quickly toward the factory exit, his mechanical wings hovering behind him before attaching themselves to his back. In the distance, Stark Tower loomed against the night sky.]
[On the rooftop of the Stark facility, Happy stood watching as the final cargo was loaded. He smiled to himself, thinking that everything was proceeding smoothly.]
—
[Deep in the rubble, Spider-Man stirred. Dust and debris covered his body. He coughed, shaking the dust from his hair before pulling off his mask, desperate for fresh air.]
["Oh… God," he gasped, struggling to move. "Okay… get ready—Aaaah!!!"]
[He tried to push himself up, but the weight pressing down on him was too much. His arms trembled as he tried again—only to fail once more. Panic set in. Tears welled in his eyes as he cried out, "Hello! Hey! Please! Someone help!"]
["I'm down here! I'm stuck! I can't move! I—I can't move!"]
[Lying there, helpless and exhausted, Peter's gaze landed on his mask, which had fallen to the ground nearby. In the reflection of a puddle, he saw both the Spider-Man mask and his own face—two halves of an identity he was struggling to hold together.]
[Tony's voice echoed in his mind: "If you're nothing without this suit, then you don't deserve it."]
[Peter clenched his teeth. "Come on, Peter… come on, man… Come on, Spider-Man! Come on, Spider-Man!"]
[For the first time, he abandoned the thought of external help. No suit. No gadgets. No Stark-tech. Just himself.]
[With a deep breath, he dug deep within himself. His muscles strained, veins bulging as he pushed against the massive slab pinning him down. "Aaaaaah!!!"]
[The pillar began to shift. Bit by bit, he was lifting it.]
["Waaaaah!!!"]
[Summoning every ounce of strength in his body, he forced himself into a squat, freeing his arms and creating enough room to move. He planted his feet, hands gripping the stone, and stood up.]
[With one final push, he lifted the debris and hurled it aside, breaking free at last.]
—
"Yes! That's what I'm talking about!" Thor roared, his excitement overflowing. He clenched his fists and cheered. "Come on, Spider-Man! You're amazing! You're a man!"
The scene resonated deeply with him. It reminded him of his own journey—the realization that his power came from within, not from Mjolnir.
Overcome with emotion, Thor threw his arms into the air and summoned a bolt of lightning that crackled down onto his own body.
His sudden burst of electricity startled Jane Foster, who jumped back in alarm.
Meanwhile, those who had been worried for Peter a moment ago now cheered and celebrated his triumph.
Aunt May, still shaken, gently stroked young Peter Parker's hair. "I was so scared just now," she murmured. "But he did it… he saved himself."
First-gen Spider-Man let out a deep breath, finally relaxing. Though he had believed in Peter all along, watching him struggle had been painful.
"This is it," he said softly. "This is the moment that proves he is Spider-Man. Not just some kid who needs saving. He stood up—on his own."
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