As MJ walked away, he was feeling a bunch of emotions. When he had told Danny he wasnât ready for a serious relationship and that they should see other people, he hadnât anticipated how quickly things would change. Seeing Danny with Chase, officially starting a new relationship, hit MJ harder than he expected.
MJ kept the camera rolling, forcing a smile for his vlog. âThere you have it, folks. Midtown Highâs newest power couple. Congrats, you two!â He gave a v sign, and stopped the camera.
Deep down, MJ felt a pang of regret. He had thought giving Danny space would be the best thing for both of them, but now he couldnât help but feel he had lost something important. The easy-going, carefree persona he maintained for his followers felt heavy and insincere at that moment.
âWow, Danny,â MJ muttered to himself, lowering his phone once he was out of sight. âI didnât think youâd move on so fast.â He leaned against a locker, staring at his phone screen, which still displayed the video he had just recorded.
MJ sighed. âMaybe I was wrong,â he thought. âMaybe I wasnât ready to let go.â
As he walked to his next class, MJ decided to keep supporting Danny and Chase, even if it meant dealing with his own complicated feelings. He knew he had made his decision and that it was only fair to respect Dannyâs choices. Still, the sight of Danny finding happiness with someone else was a reminder of what he had given up.
âGuess itâs time to focus on me.â MJ thought, trying to shake off the sadness. He straightened up, put on his best smile, determined to make the best of his senior year.
â-
MJ sat at a corner table, scrolling through his phone as he waited for his date. He had met Morrie Bench online, and while Morrie seemed nice enough, MJ wasnât looking for anything serious.
Morrie arrived, flashing MJ a wide smile. âHey, MJ. Thanks for meeting me here.â
MJ looked up and smiled politely. âHey, Morrie. No problem. Howâs it going?â
The conversation flowed easily at first. Morrie was charming and attentive, but MJ couldnât shake the feeling that Morrie was a bit too intense. As the date went on, it became clear that Morrie saw this as the beginning of something serious, while MJ was just looking for a casual hangout.
âSo, what do you think about us going to that concert next weekend?â Morrie asked, leaning forward.
MJ hesitated, trying to find a gentle way to let Morrie down. âIâm not sure about that, Morrie. Iâm kind of busy with my vlogging and school stuff.â
Morrieâs grin still didnât leave his face. âMaybe we can do something next week then?â
MJ sighed. âLook Morrie, youâre a nice guy, but I can tell you want a boyfriend out of this, and Iâm not ready for that. I just want to have fun.â
Morrieâs expression fell, but he tried to hide his disappointment. âOh, okay...â
â-
Morrie Bench paced back and forth in the dimly lit warehouse, frustration and anger bubbling inside him. He had really liked MJ, but it was clear MJ didnât feel the same way. Feeling rejected and humiliated, Morrie had taken a part-time job at a local shipping company, hoping the physical work would help him forget about MJ.
But fate had other plans. During a routine loading operation, a faulty valve on a container filled with experimental chemicals burst, dousing Morrie in the strange liquid. The pain was unbearable, and he collapsed, unconscious.
When he woke up, his body felt different. He looked down and saw that his skin had taken on a watery appearance, his limbs shifting and flowing like liquid. Panicked, Morrie stumbled out of the warehouse, only to find himself melting into a nearby puddle and reforming moments later.
Realizing the extent of his transformation Morrie grinned. MJ was going to pay.
â-
MJ was packing up his things, ready to head home, when he heard a commotion outside. Curious, he walked out to find a crowd gathered, looking towards the street.
âWhatâs going on?â MJ asked a nearby student.
âItâs some kind of water monster,â the student replied, pointing.
MJâs heart sank as he recognized the watery figure, standing in the middle of the street, shouting his name.
âMJ! Get out here!â Morrie shouted. âItâs your fault this happened to me, and now youâre gonna pay!â
Students around MJ began to whisper and back away, leaving him exposed. Panic gripped him, but he knew he couldnât run. He stepped forward, trying to remain calm.
âMorrie, what happened to you?â MJ called out, trying to reach the humanity in the man he once knew.
Morrieâs watery form shifted, his eyes filled with rage. âYou rejected me, and now look at me! Iâm a freak! Itâs all your fault! Guess what, Morrie Bench is dead because of you. Now, Hydro-Man is going to make sure you get what you deserve!â
Before MJ could respond, Hydro-Man sent a wave of water crashing towards him. MJ braced himself, but at the last second, Spider-Man swung in, grabbing MJ and pulling him to safety.
âStay back MJ. Weâll handle this.â
Meanwhile, Talkback was dealing with Hydro Man. âBro, you need to calm down!â Chase shouted, activating his Fistigons. âThis isnât the way to solve your problems.â
Hydro-Man lashed out, sending another wave towards Chase. âYou donât understand! None of you do!â
Spider-Man and Chase worked together, trying to contain Hydro-Manâs attacks and keep the students safe. Danny swung in, firing webs to try and contain Hydro-Manâs watery form, while Chase used his Fistigons to blast at the water, hoping to destabilize him.
The chaos of the battle with Hydro-Man had spread throughout the street in front of Midtown High. Students and teachers scrambled to safety, but Hydro-Manâs attacks made it difficult to find a secure spot. Among the fleeing students was Skyler.
As Hydro-Man sent another wave crashing through the street, Skyler was caught off guard and thrown to the ground, struggling to get back up. Spider-Man, noticing Skylerâs peril, immediately swung into action.
âSkyler, look out!â Spider-Man shouted as he swung over and picked Skyler up to get him out of the way.
Skyler stared up at Spider-Man in shock. âHow did youâŠ?â
Spider-Man didnât have time to respond as Hydro-Man lashed out again. âStay down!â he ordered before leaping back into the fray to help Chase.
Chase fired at Hydro-Man with his Fistigons, the blasts of energy evaporating the water momentarily. âI get it, youâre hurt. But attacking people isnât going to change what happened.â
Spider-Man swung back into the fray, landing next to Chase. âWe need to contain him. Do you have any ideas?â
Chase nodded. âYeah, but itâs risky. We need to evaporate as much water as possible and then contain whatâs left.â
Spider-Man nodded, webbing a nearby fire hydrant to create a temporary barrier. âIâll keep him distracted. You set up the containment.â
Chase quickly rigged up a makeshift containment unit from materials around the school, using his engineering skills. Meanwhile, Spider-Man swung around Hydro-Man, keeping him occupied and dodging his attacks.
âHey, Hydro-Man! Over here!â Spider-Man taunted, firing webs to slow him down.
With the containment unit ready, Chase signaled to Spider-Man. âNow!â
Spider-Man swung down, firing a web line at Hydro-Manâs core, yanking him towards the containment unit. Chase activated the unit, and a powerful heat blast evaporated a significant portion of Hydro-Manâs water form, leaving just enough to be contained within the unit.
Hydro-Man, now weakened and partially contained, thrashed against the barriers, but it was no use. The authorities arrived shortly after, taking Morrie into custody.
As the situation calmed down, MJ approached Spider-Man and Chase, feeling a mix of relief and guilt. âThanks, guys,â MJ said quietly. âI didnât mean for any of this to happen.â
Spider-Man placed a reassuring hand on MJâs shoulder. âItâs not your fault, MJ. Morrie made his own choices.â
Chase nodded in agreement. âYeah, weâve all had to deal with stuff like this. Just remember, weâre here for you.â
MJ nodded, feeling relieved. âThanks, guys. I really appreciate it.â
â-
Later, Danny changed out of Spider-Man costume and rejoined everyone else. He was approached by Skyler. âDid you see what happened? Spider-Man saved me. He even knew my name too! It was awesome!â
Danny nodded, trying to keep his relief from showing too much. âYeah, I heard. Heâs a real hero.â
âYeah, unlike you! You ran away like a baby. Ha!â He laughed and shoved Danny aside. Typical Skyler. Danny shook his head as he went to join Chase.
âEverything okay with Skyler?â
Danny nodded. âYeah, I think so. Skyler is stil a jerk. You would think a near death experience would change a person, but nope.â
Chase patted Danny on the back. âYou still did good, Danny. Thatâs the kind of thing heroes do. Who knows, maybe you set him on the path towards a redemption arc.â
Danny scoffed. âAs if. But whatever, letâs just go home.â The boys kissed, and walked away hand in hand.