Web of Fate

In the early hours of the morning, Peter stood, eyes fixed on the abandoned train ahead of him. He had already warmed up, his body primed from a run to the spot, and now he was ready to push himself further.

With a quick stretch of his arms, he inhaled deeply, steadying himself for what was to come. Then, with all his might, he began to lift the train.

His muscles strained, but he pressed on, lifting the heavy mass with raw strength, determined to build the kind of powerful, muscular arms he admired in creatures like tigers. He kept at it, pushing himself until the ache in his hands became unbearable.

After a few minutes of rest, he moved to the other side of the train, lifting it from an awkward angle, his hands gripping the back. With a grunt, he started pulling the train, his legs pumping as he broke into a run.

The sight was nothing short of spectacular—a display of pure power.

When the tracks ended, Peter didn't stop. He circled around to the other end of the train and prepared to do it all over again.

As he continued his training, a thought suddenly struck Peter.

'Training with Doom... is impossible.'

He quickly realized the truth of it. After all, he was just a minor, with nothing to offer someone like Doom.

Peter chuckled to himself. "For someone with a genius-level intellect, I'm an idiot for forgetting that."

But then another thought followed.

'How the fuck am I supposed to find Shang-Chi? Looks like I'll have to track him down myself. If I can't find him... well, Danny probably has a dojo. If I'm not mistaken, that is.:

Peter made up his mind. Once his training was done, he'd start the search for Shang-Chi. If that didn't work out, Danny's dojo would be his next stop.

...

Elsewhere, a single grain of sand, carried by the wind, was slowly making its way from Peter's house to Jessica's.

Deep within an unseen sewer, the grain of sand struggled, caught in the currents of time and decay, trying to rebuild itself into something more—a man, perhaps—though its form was yet to be fully realized.

...

Peter stood at the edge of Chinatown, a slight unease settling in his stomach.

"Man, I feel kind of racist, not gonna lie," he muttered to himself.

The idea of searching for a Chinese man in Chinatown felt wrong, like something he shouldn't be doing. Scratching the back of his head, he pushed past the feeling and stepped into the bustling streets, asking around for Shang-Chi.

As expected, no one had any information. Peter sighed in frustration.

He let out a breath, realizing he wasn't going to get any answers today. With a shrug, he decided to head home. He had a date to set up for tonight.

Peter felt more frustrated than ever. He didn't know where to take her. He'd visited several restaurants and libraries, searching for the perfect place for a date, but nothing felt right.

Most of the options were too pricey or too far away. Now, he sat on a park bench with his hands clasped together, lost in thought.

"I really wish smartphones were available to the public already," Peter mumbled under his breath.

He sighed again, "Maybe the movies are my best bet. But what kind of movie would she enjoy?"

He frowned, running a hand through his hair. 'It's 2006. I don't even know what movies are good right now.' He sighed aloud this time. "But is this really a good idea?"

With no better plan coming to mind, Peter decided the movies would have to do. The uncomplicated solution was a welcome relief.

Rising from the bench, he headed to a nearby theater that seemed suitable for the occasion. As he reached the entrance, his eyes scanned the posters on display.

"I don't even know what kind of movies she likes," Peter muttered, pulling out his phone and dialing her number.

It only rang a few seconds before Jessica picked up.

"Jessica, it's me, Peter," he said, trying to keep his tone casual.

There was a smile in her voice as she replied, "Hmm?"

"Would you like to go see a movie tonight?" he asked, his heart pounding just a little faster.

"Yes," she said, without hesitation.

Relieved, Peter continued, "I wasn't sure what to pick, so I thought I'd ask. There's The Last Kiss, Little Miss Sunshine, The Black Dahlia, The Departed, Half Nelson, and Art School Confidential. Any of those sound good?"

"Can we watch The Black Dahlia? I've been wanting to see that one," Jessica said, her voice bright with interest.

"Sure. I'll get the tickets," Peter said, already feeling better about the evening. "Does 8 PM work for you?"

"Perfect," she confirmed.

"Alright, I'll meet you at Queens Theater," Peter said.

"See you there," she replied.

"Bye," he said.

"Bye," Jessica echoed, her voice warm.

Peter hung up, a small smile creeping onto his face as he stood. For the first time all day, he felt like the night was heading in the right direction.

Closed his flip phone with a soft *click* and let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God," he muttered, a small grin forming on his lips. "She actually sounded excited. If this were 2024, I'd probably have been ghosted."

Feeling a burst of energy, he broke into a jog, weaving through the bustling streets on his way home. He passed countless faces in the crowd, barely noticing their hurried lives as his mind buzzed with thoughts of the evening ahead.

Unbeknownst to him, a Chinese man stood on the corner, his sharp eyes fixed on Peter as he moved through the sea of people. His expression was unreadable, but his intent was clear—he was watching Peter closely.

A few hours have passed,

Peter stood inside Queens Theater, a slight chill in the air brushing against his brown jacket. He had paired it with a plain white t-shirt, gray pants, and white sneakers—the best outfit he could manage with his current wardrobe. It wasn't exactly fashionable, but it was clean and presentable.

"I really need to get some better clothes," he muttered under his breath, glancing down at his outfit.

Peter sat on a chair, his eyes closed as he tried to calm his nerves while waiting for Jessica.

When Jessica arrived, she wore a black tracksuit jacket, a white shirt, and matching black tracksuit pants. Her eyes scanned the area, half expecting to be the first one there. To her surprise, she spotted Peter already waiting, seated alone.

She couldn't help but smile. 'He's really taking this seriously,' she thought, her heart warming at the sight.

Jessica walked up to Peter and gently tapped his shoulder. "Hey, Sleeping Beauty," she teased, her tone affectionate despite its dryness. "The movie hasn't even started, and you're already dozing off."

Peter blinked his eyes open, stretching slightly as he yawned. "I was just waiting for you," he said, his voice groggy but warm.

Jessica chuckled, her smile softening. "When does the movie start?"

"8:20," Peter replied, glancing at the ticket in his hand.

"Then we've got time," she said, tilting her head toward the concession stand. "Should we get some food?"

"Sure," Peter said, standing up.

Without waiting for him to fully process, Jessica grabbed his hand and pulled him along. "Come on, let's grab something before it gets crowded," she said, her playful energy contagious as she dragged him toward the snacks.

They bought snacks and two large popcorn. Jessica had tried to pay for the food, and Peter accepted her offer with a grateful smile. However, when he grabbed an extra drink, he paid for it himself. Throughout the exchange, Peter couldn't help but smile, his gaze often lingering on her face.

'I need to protect this innocence,' he thought, the weight of his unspoken promise settling in his chest. He knew what the future held for Jessica if he didn't step in. He wouldn't let that happen.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jessica asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.

Peter's smile widened. "Your beauty mesmerized me," he said, his tone light but sincere.

"Stop with your flattery," her cheeks flushing a soft pink. Avoiding his gaze, she turned her head to hide the blush. But Peter had already noticed.

He chuckled softly at her reaction, then gently took her hand in his, the warmth of his touch making her pause. Leaning closer, he whispered near her ear, "Let's go."

Jessica nodded, letting him guide her as they headed inside the theater. Anticipating the movie buzzed between them, but Peter's thoughts remained firmly on her, determined to safeguard the happiness he saw in her now.