Sunday evening.
The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the windows of the Parker home orange-red.
In Peter's room, this future superhero was in front of the mirror, excitedly trying on his red and blue hoodie.
"Does it look okay?" Peter pulled at the mask somewhat uncertainly, trying to make himself look more like a wrestler and less like a Joker in pajamas.
"If you're planning to go to a Halloween party, this outfit only gets a C-minus. But if you're planning to fight in an underground match at an abandoned shipyard in Brooklyn, this outfit is quite good for absorbing sweat."
A cool voice came from outside the window.
Peter almost jumped in fright, hurriedly pulling off the mask and hiding it behind his back.
He turned his head and saw Alice sitting on the windowsill, holding the copy of the Daily Bugle that Peter had stuffed into the trash can, but hadn't quite hidden well.
A corner of the newspaper was heavily circled in red pen.
It was exactly the advertisement for the underground wrestling challenge.
"Alice, how did you..." Peter was incoherent, his face flushing red.
"How did I know?"
Alice jumped into the room, threw the newspaper on the bed, pointed to the photo of Mary Jane posted on the wall, and then pointed out the window to the convertible sports car belonging to the rich boyfriend at MJ's doorstep.
"An adolescent boy with overactive hormones, the sense of loss from seeing the girl he likes get into a luxury car, plus suddenly acquired superpowers, and this advertisement in the trash can to win 3,000 dollars."
Alice looked at Peter, her tone flat but hitting the mark.
"Peter, this doesn't require Sherlock Holmes, just a bit of basic logic. You want to buy a car, you want to chase MJ, and you think using your superpowers to fight in underground matches is the fastest shortcut."
Peter, his secrets exposed, lowered his head and clenched his fists, his voice low: "I just don't want to be invisible anymore, Alice. I have power, I can win this money."
Alice looked at the young man's stubborn eyes; there was both the inflation of newly awakened power and the characteristic impulsiveness of adolescence.
Some detours must be walked by oneself to be deeply remembered.
"Fine, since you've decided."
She sighed, took a black object out of her pocket, and tossed it to Peter.
"Take this."
Peter caught it and saw it was the latest model Nokia phone, and it looked like it had been modified.
"For emergency contact, my number is saved in it. Also, don't die on the stage; your life is worth more than those three thousand dollars."
Peter gripped the phone, moved: "Thank you, Alice. Will you be there?"
"That kind of savage place full of sweat and violence?" Alice curled her lip in distaste. "I have more important things to do. By the way, how are you getting to Brooklyn? You won't make it if you take the subway."
Peter's expression instantly became somewhat awkward and guilty.
"I told Uncle Ben I was going to the main library downtown to look up information, and he insisted on driving me."
"The library, on a Saturday night?" Alice raised an eyebrow. "Uncle Ben believed that?"
"He always believes me." Peter's voice grew even lower, clearly feeling guilty about deceiving Uncle Ben.
"Peter." Alice walked up to him and stared seriously into his eyes, "Remember this feeling of guilt. Don't let it become a regret."
After saying that, she turned and climbed out the window, disappearing into the night.
Half an hour later.
An old gray Ford sedan was driving on the highway leading to Brooklyn.
Ben Parker held the steering wheel, occasionally looking through the rearview mirror at Peter, who sat silently in the back row.
"Peter, I know you've had some changes lately."
Uncle Ben broke the silence, his tone gentle and deep. "You got into a fight at school, you've started leaving early and returning late, and there's this strange look in your eyes. You're going through a special phase."
"I'm fine, Uncle Ben." Peter looked out the window, perfunctorily brushing him off. His mind was now full of the upcoming match and that used car.
"Listen, Peter." Uncle Ben wasn't angry, but said earnestly, "You've grown up over these years, become stronger, and maybe you have some abilities that even we can't understand. But remember one thing, something my father told me back then."
The car stopped at a red light.
Uncle Ben turned his head and looked at Peter.
"With great power comes great responsibility."
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