When the Rhino finished his transformation, the small car he was in simply couldn't hold his massive body anymore. The metal roof and doors were torn apart like wet paper as he stepped out.
The Rhino was a classic "heavy" villain. He had a body that was nearly impossible to hurt and strength that could level a building, but he wasn't very smart. Even though he wasn't a world-class threat yet, he was still very dangerous for Peter and Gwen, who were just starting out.
Gwen was busy talking to her father when her Spider-Sense suddenly screamed in her mind. She spun around just in time to see the blue-gray giant emerging from the wreckage of the car.
"What on earth is that?" Gwen shouted.
In the distance, the Rhino let out a mean, booming laugh. "Hey, rookies! Here's a little welcome gift!"
He grabbed a jagged piece of the car door. His muscles bulged and veins popped on his arms as he threw the heavy metal plate like a frisbee. Because of his incredible strength, the metal door began to spin so fast it made a high-pitched buzzing sound, cutting through the air straight toward Gwen and George Stacy.
"Get back!" Peter yelled.
Gwen reacted instantly, shoving her father out of the way. At the same time, Peter ignited his thrusters and grabbed Gwen's hand, pulling her into the air just as the door whistled past them.
CRACK!
The spinning car door missed them but slammed into a nearby police car, slicing it clean in half. A second later, the car's gas tank exploded in a ball of fire. Parts flew everywhere as the police officers scrambled for cover. Fortunately, no one was close enough to be killed, but the scene was pure chaos.
Gwen looked down from the sky, her eyes wide with shock. "Peter, what is that thing?"
"That's the Rhino," Peter answered. "He's a villain who has more muscles than brains."
As they hovered, a new message popped up on Peter's system screen:
[Mission Name: A Big Stepping Stone]
[Objective: Defeat the Rhino and prove your strength!]
[Rewards: 3,000 Points, 1 Skill Point]
[Time Limit: 1 Hour]
Two missions in one trip, Peter thought. Today is a lucky day.
Peter could feel his heart racing. He hadn't used much energy in the first fight, so he was ready for a real challenge. He leaned in and whispered a plan into Gwen's ear.
"Gwen, listen. Rhino's skin is so thick it can stop a sniper rifle bullet. His only weak spot is his face. You distract him on the ground while I prepare an attack from the air. We have to time this perfectly!"
Gwen nodded bravely. She was scared, but she wasn't going to run away. Peter let go of her hand, and she dropped toward the street.
Gwen fired a web and swung toward the Rhino. The giant was busy laughing at the fire he had caused when Gwen landed a powerful flying kick right against his shoulder.
BANG!
Instead of moving the Rhino, the impact sent Gwen bouncing backward.
"Is that all you've got, little girl?" the Rhino mocked, brushing off his shoulder as if she were a fly. "You're weak! You should go home and take a nap."
Gwen's face burned with anger. She didn't like being looked down on. "We'll see about that!"
She moved like a ghost, using her webs to zip around the Rhino's legs and arms, staying just out of reach of his massive fists. While he was busy trying to swat her, Peter was high above, preparing his secret weapon.
"Deep Blue, dump all the remaining nitrogen into the left gauntlet!" Peter ordered.
Mechanical parts shifted and clicked on the Parker One armor. All the power from his flight system was rerouted into his metal glove. Then, the gauntlet itself detached from Peter's arm!
WHOOSH!
The gauntlet flew on its own, powered by its own mini-thrusters. As the flames turned from light blue to deep blue, the gauntlet picked up incredible speed.
BOOM!
It broke the sound barrier, creating a loud sonic boom that echoed through Manhattan. Gwen's Spider-Sense told her exactly where it was. Without looking back, she shot a web and caught the flying gauntlet as it passed her. She spun around with all her strength, swinging the metal fist in a giant circle to add even more power.
When she let go, the gauntlet was traveling at two times the speed of sound. It looked like a blurred meteor as it smashed directly into the Rhino's face before he could even blink.
The Rhino's thick skin couldn't save him from that much force. His face twisted under the impact, and his giant body stiffened.
CRASH!
The metal gauntlet exploded from the pressure, and the Rhino fell backward, hitting the ground with a bone-shaking thud. He was out cold with a massive bruise on his face. The battle was over.
Half an hour later, the sound of a high-tech helicopter filled the air. A jet marked with the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo landed in the middle of the street.
A one-eyed man in a long black coat—Nick Fury—stepped out. He looked at the wreckage and then at George Stacy, who was waiting for him.
"Do you have names for these two?" Fury asked in his deep, gravelly voice.
George Stacy looked at the captured robbers and the defeated Rhino. "The girl calls herself Spider-Woman," George said. "As for the other one... well, according to the criminals he caught..."
George pointed to the lead robber, who was shivering on a stretcher.
"His name," the robber whispered, his voice trembling with fear, "is Batman."
Fury and George Stacy looked at each other. The name sounded strange and dark. For a moment, even these two hardened men felt a cold chill run down their spines.