Disclaimer: While this story is light hearted in nature. This chapter and the chapter after it will deal with some heavy and mature material. I will mark the point at which said material starts if you want to avoid that.

Cats in the Cradle

Dawn Academy, 1st Year Hero Dorm, 4:40pm, Marcus Damhan POV

Everything had come together quite nicely. Decker and I had just finished decorating my dorm room. Which to my surprise, was much nicer than I originally anticipated. You hear so many stories about college dorms, tiny bedrooms with little to no walking space. But this… This room was the size of my old living room and kitchen put together.

Painted white walls, with an exposed brick wall on the window side. En suite bathroom with a shower. A ceiling fan, that made rhythmic ticks as it strummed away at the heavy air. My collection of crappy band posters lovingly framed and stuck to the walls. My desk, a messy assortment of books and my computer, a single thrift store hula girl lamp litting up the clutter.

Towards my bed, there was a handcrafted bedside table, made by my father and uncle. It was levitating a few feet above the ground. Philip standing beside it, trying to measure the perfect spot to place it. On my bed, was all the trinkets I'd acquired over the years. A record player from the World War era, an eighteenth century damascus steel blade from Persia, and an Ancient Greek vase depicting Achilles and Penthesilea poorly wrapped in bubble wrap. I'd have to find the perfect spots for them later.

"Are these all real?" He reached down to touch my antique record player. I let him and he felt the century old wood as I had when I first took it.

"All of them, yea." Philip exhaled, impressed by the history.

"Must have been crazy expensive… Is this a replica from the vase in the British museum? It looks nearly identical from the one I saw."

'The one you saw I painted myself." I remarked internally. "Yea, not sure how my Dad got all this stuff."

"You wanna play something?" He motioned towards the small box of records I kept next to the table.

"No, I gotta head out, going to the E-District to pick up my car." A thought went through my head and I wasted no time in saying it. "Wanna come with? E-District's got plenty of shops and we can pick up some stuff to finish off our rooms?" He looked at his watch, and for a second he was weighing his options.

"Sure. I'm down." I nodded

"Sweet, you want to head out now?"

"Yea! I'm just gonna go get changed, meet you outside?" He jogged out of my room and swung on the door, waiting for my response.

"Yea, see you there!" I followed him out and he turned left heading for his dorm room.

Philip Decker. Kind of a plain guy. He didn't bring much stuff, making his room look barren, so I figured if I invited him along, maybe we could change that. I'd only known him a day, but he seemed normal enough, much more normal than some of the other guys in the class. Making my fresh start, I needed normal more than anything.

"Hey Marcus!" I heard a girl voice, she bellowed out from her dorm room. I squinted and saw a familiar looking face.

"Emily? I guess we're hallmates then." She perked up from her desk and ran out to greet me. Her blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she was wearing very casual clothing. She noticed my jacket tied around my waist, and the long sleeve shirt I was wearing.

"You going out or something? Isn't it like… boiling in Florida?" She gave me a funny look, but all I could do was roll my eyes.

"It's a fashion statement alright. And yeah, Philip and I are going to the E-district." I saw her eyes look towards Philip's room, then back to mine. Her eyes were the most splendid blue, like diving into the sea with just a look. She noticed my staring then frowned.

"Is there something on my…~"

"Do you want to come with us?" I not so smoothly interrupted her. Her frown changed into a curious smile. "I'm a... picking up my car, so I can drive us all back."

"Sounds like fun, is it alright if Nina comes along?"

"Yea that should be fine, my car has four seats. We're meeting out front."

"I'll see you there!" She pivoted and hopped towards Nina's door. Knocking on it gently. She turned back to see me, and she noticed I'd been staring. "Outside right?"

"Yes!" I shouted back at her, I grit my teeth, and turned away.

Damn I'm embarrassing.

I opened the door and exited the dorm building. It was a late afternoon glow, quite chilly. A swath of clouds had blanketed the skies, the remnants of puddles made by light rainfall with the sun hanging somewhat low, masked by the dozens of buildings surrounding the school district. I waited for barely a minute before the first of the three rocked up outside.

Nina scratched her short chestnut brown hair, pulling a black and purple rimmed beanie over her head, she'd tied a ribbon to the right fringe which was bright purple much like the power that came off her body.

I mean, if your gonna have a theme...

She was wearing a baggy white shirt with a playful cartoon monkey on its centerpiece. To my surprise she wore even baggier sweatpants. The whole outfit looked three sizes too big, but somehow she pulled it off.

"Hey." She said pulling a lollipop from out of her pocket, purple sparks streaked from her fingertips as she tore the wrapped off with little to no effort. She popped the candy into her mouth before slumping against the wall.

"You seem different. More… relaxed?" I commented, it was true, the Nina I'd seen the whole day was nothing short of peppy with a touch of zest.

"You got that off one word?" She laughed, rolling the candy with her tongue.

"I happen to be a master of reading body language. It's the spider in me." She sighed, her hands went to her clothes, and she scrunched up the shirt and tugged on it lovingly.

"I'm just more at ease in my own clothes. You know?"

"I…~"

"Hey we good to go, Emily said she and Nina were joining us?" Philip walked out of the dorm, he turned and saw Nina against the wall, and his expression changed to be more welcoming.

"Hi, I'm not sure we've met. I'm Philip Decker." From what I could tell unpacking his wardrobe, everything he owned was more or less two-toned blacks and whites. His plain white shirt, and black jeans probably being his staple outfit.

"But everyone calls him Decker." I chimed in as the two shook hands.

"I'm Nina Ahio."

"But everyone calls her Nina." Emily laughed as she quickly followed suite behind Philip. She was radiant, she was wearing a floral summer dress, it made my jaw drop instinctually. She'd let her hair down, it flowed to just short of her collarbone, a combination of messy and neat.

"Wow." I said almost blindly upon seeing her, Philip looked at me with craned eyes. "I mean, bit cold for a dress init?"

"This is nothing compared to where I'm from. Decker, I'm Emily Stonem. Now that we're all on a first and last name basis, how about we get moving?" Emily asked and Philip nonchalantly nodded, Nina quickly hopped onto her two feet, and I led the way.

Downtown Miami, Philip Decker POV

The city was crowded for a monday, the buses were running slower due to the hustle and bustle of city life. So we sat, two by two in our seats, Marcus and I leaning back to talk to the two girls who accompanied us.

"So Phillip word around the class is that you and a girl were kissing in the cafeteria, barely here a day and already making plays?" Marcus prompted making my cheeks flush pink for a brief moment.

"That's my girlfriend Ivy, she's in Hero Class B." I answered, but that didn't seem to satiate the curiosities of the people sitting around me.

"Oooo a girlfriend. Dish. How long you two been together?"

"Is it serious?"

"What's she like?" I clammed up.

"Ummm…" I paused to think. "Ivy and I have been together for… under a year? Before we moved into Dawn we lived together. She's amazing." I wasn't big on fancy words or long descriptions, so I kept it to the point. Emily eyes widened as she nodded to everything I said.

"What about you guys?" I asked and Marcus laughed.

"Not even a little." He responded before slinking down into his chair, he picked his tooth with his tongue. "My last girlfriend moved to Hollywood, she's at Lantern Academy over there. What about you two?" We both looked to Emily and Nina, Emily was blushing hard, while Nina remained pretty jovial.

"I was seeing someone back in Hawaii, we decided against long distance when I moved here."

"I've… I've never really…" Emily sighed, it looked as if she was struggling with her tongue. "I'm actually a lot younger than most people here. I'm only sixteen, and I've never really had a boyfriend." I was startled to say the least.

"Your only sixteen? Almost everyone's seventeen or eighteen as first years!" I responded.

"Yea, I thought you had to be a certain age before applying for U.S Hero Academies?" Nina added.

"Not really, you only need to pass the entry examinations. I skipped a year in highschool, so I still finished same year group as you guys, I'm just a… ahead of the curve." She laughed and so did Marcus and Nina.

I shrugged, I never understood how Hero Academies worked. Across the seas in Asia, I heard academies take in students when they're out of middle school. When the students are fifteen or so? But here in the U.S a Law was passed ages ago before I was even born that made all American Hero Academies become something like universities. It was some macabre statistic about child depression when they couldn't realize their dreams of becoming heroes that prompted the action. So for the past eighty years or so Hero Academies in America have only taken students aged seventeen or up. With some exceptions being made for people like Emily, I guess.

My thoughts were they believed almost adults had more mental fortitude. That we'd be old enough to handle the rejection better. Additionally, we wouldn't waste our highschool years training to be heroes if only to change our minds at some point. It seems silly to me that in Japan, where the best hero academy in the world is located opens its admissions to kids. I couldn't name a kid who didn't want to be hero at that age. Regardless of their quirks or actual skills. Here. You'd grow up, and realize either your quirk was useless or that you just wouldn't make it. Pursue something a bit more... realistic. At least you'd have a highschool degree to show for it.

"Maybe it's because a Hero's calling is stronger in youth."

"What?!" I shouted in panic at the sudden feminine voice in my ears.

"Hey Earth to Decker? You there?" Someone waved their hands in front of my face. The bus lurched to a stop, and I was snapped out of my frenzied state. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah yeah! I was just thinking about something." Marcus indicated for me to get moving and I saw why. The hazy lights of the E-District were just in sight.

"Wow, it's so much prettier than I imagined!" Emily's head was stuck in the sky as she saw the expanse of glowing buildings, all brandishing the Dawn foundations logo.

"Is that a tank?" Nina gasped, she was clearly seeing what was on the ground.

"I forgot you guys aren't from here! I'll give you the rundown!" Marcus proclaimed, showing the three of us off the bus.

E-District, Nina Ahio POV

Everything was different here compared to Hawaii. The sun was just setting, its light illuminating the faint smog on the cities horizon, but in front of me… The Electric District lived up to its name. A cascade of neon light, dripping from window to window, from building to building. But what was even more surprising, what looked like a military checkpoint before you could get in. Several guards only a few years older than I was, clad in some futuristic samurais armour, holding some impressive weaponry. Even better, a tank, it lay still but the gentle hum of its engines made the ground wobble every so slightly.

We walked right past them, as if they weren't even there. The haze of neon light shaded the soldiers in bright hues, making them look a lot less menacing.

"The E-District is owned by the same people who own Dawn Academy. You see the security, Dawn Foundation PMC's. Most of them are graduates from Dawn's military course. They act as the schools security and anywhere else the DF has its interests." Marcus explained as he led us forward, into the hustle and bustle of the district. Hundreds of people walked past us, to the dozens of shops that surrounded us.

"The E-District has one of the lowest crime rates because of this." Philip added, Marcus turned back and smirked, as if he knew something we didn't.

"Lowest recorded crime rates. All this security is the perfect smoke screen for… discrete crime." I looked at him strangely, the way he said recorded peaked my interest. "Or so I've heard." He turned around once more and held his arms up in amazement, almost basking in the neon glow that lit up the street. "Anyway. Emily, Nina welcome to the E-District. The glow of Miami!" He gestured towards some part of the district then looked at us.

"My cars getting fixed by my uncle, I'm gonna go pick it up and park somewhere. You guys can go have a look around while I'm gone, I'll come find you when I'm done!" He wasted no time and took off in a half jog waving us goodbye. A moment or so passed, both Emily and I looked at Philip, he avoided our gaze no doubt feeling a bit awkward.

"So, uhh." Philip rubbed his neck, "I'm gonna go buy a TV for my room."

"What?! Are you rich or something?!" Emily gasped.

"My Dad's rich... So…" He bit his lip, looking rather coy.

"Emily and I wanted to go buy some beanbags and pillows. We'll text you when we're done." I grabbed Emily and started pulling her, she was reluctant at first but started following me.

"Maybe he'll buy us a TV if we ask nicely?" Emily joked linking her arm with mine as we skipped along, looking for the right store.

E-District back alleys, Marcus Damhan POV

"Hey Marcus, good to see ya, how's your mother?" A familiar Irish accent echoed into my ears as I entered the loud chorus of machinery.

"She's doing great Cian." I greeted the greased up Irishmen, his thick bushy eyebrows arched like a rainbow filled with sunshine.

"I fixed up your ride. Shame we couldn't work on it together, but she's humming again. You see her on the street?" I smiled, embracing the old man in a friendly hug.

"I did." I took a deep breath, "You didn't have repaint her for me that stuffs expensive Cian. How much do I owe you?" I got out my wallet but his hand pushed it back into my jacket.

"Nothing at all. I did this as a favour to family. You can repay me by getting that mother of yours to come down for some coffee!" I smiled then patted his shoulder.

"Your too good to me Uncle."

"Yea yea." His face formed a big grin, he put his arm around my shoulder and lead me towards his office. I knew what was coming next.

"Are you going to…~"

"Yes, sit down." I sat down in one of the chairs, Uncle Cian was big man, he walked with a slight waddle, he was stocky and had tanned skin, stained black from motor oil and grease. He sat down behind his desk, picking up his glasses wiping them with his shirt before putting them on.

"What's this I hear you've been working with that... scumbag Rocko?" I gulped, my eyes averted his and looked down towards the desk. The feeling… shame, guilt, something panged against my chest like a drum. But I swallowed it down, and my focus hardened.

"So what if I have? It was good pay for honest work. I thought you'd be proud." I said in a sarcastic tone.

"There's nothing honest with that guy. Word on the street is he hires kids to do bad stuff. Deal drugs, weapons, secrets. Guys no joke. If you needed money you could have just come to…~"

"Don't... I already owe you everything. I worked in an ice cream shop, six days a week every week. Guy may be sketchy but at least what I was doing wasn't. You don't have to worry about me anymore." He sighed rolling his eyes at that last part.

"I been worrying about you since the day you were born. When that brother of mine up and left your mom… Sorry, I know you hate it when we bring him up."

You see. My Dad was a scientist, his brother, my Uncle Cian pretty much became my father after he left. Something my mom didn't really cope with, something she never really recovered from. Who could blame her. It was a bad time for people like us back then…

East Miami, Eight Years Ago, Marcus Damhan POV

Back then… I didn't realise the position my family was in. I'd known about the attack… But I didn't understand it's consequences. The fear. The hate…

I was in the car with my Dad, we lived quite a ways away from my school. So walking was out of the question, and my Dad could pick me up on his way home from work. Perfect setup.

But on this particular day, it was snowing, and in this particular year was a deadly sign. The radio was static, in jumps we'd hear segments of the news. The road would rumble slightly with each connecting impact many miles away.

My father was a tall man, thick black hair like mine, curly beyond belief. He was handsome, a strong jaw with dark stubble. I idolized him. His eyes were glued to the road, paying me no mind as I studied his features, for a brief moment with each shake of the street his eyes would fit into panic, and his grip on the wheel would tighten.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw me, staring at him. His lips curled into a smile, with his grip relaxing.

"What you looking at sport?" He ran his hand through my hair, messing it up before placing his hand back on the wheel.

"You. You know your eyes get really angry looking when you drive?"

"When you start driving, you'll understand. When you're on the road, anything can go wrong, in a split second it could all be over. You have to be ready, always." His voice was infinite and so far away, as if he was relaying that message from outer space.

"Why is the road always shaking Dad? It's been like that for two days now." His eyes squinted as he thought on the answer.

"Villains son. Killer Mantis and the Insect Gang engaged some heroes, the fight hasn't quite wrapped up yet. Don't worry, it's a long way from here. All Might apparently arrived yesterday to deal with it personally!" He added that last part with enthusiasm, I perked up instantly at the sound of his name.

"Wow really! Can we go see him! I want to ask him so many questions! Get an autograph! Please Dad, please!" I bounced in my seat and he started laughing.

"As cool as that would be. We can't, the heroes have pushed them out of the city, and they'll have surely captured Mantis before he can do any serious damage. We'd have to drive ALL DAY AND NIGHT just to get there, and even then it might be too late."

"Oh… okay." His smile faded slightly, and he looked at me with those sad eyes I'd become so familiar with.

"Next time Bud." He sighed, tussling my hair one last time.

A week later… on the Eleventh of December *Warning for Heavy Material*

The radio was simple, a wooden frame with circular dials and big bug like antenna. The snowfall had ceased a couple of days ago, and the cool Christmas heat had begun to truly settle in. The road outside was slick from the melting ice, our small two bedroom house was steaming.

I sat shirtless with my back against the wall, my slick wet t-shirt being used like a pillow for my neck as I listened to the music on the radio. It was pulsating music, that eased my headache, drowning out the rumbles of pots and pans in the kitchen. My mother pocked her head out from around the corner.

"Honey." Her mandibles twitched, all eight of her eyes blinked simultaneously. "Why don't you do some homework?" She asked sweetly, giving me a mother's smile.

"I can't. I left my school bag in the car, and Dad's not back yet."

Like clockwork, my Dad busted in through the door. He was sweating, the stains had drenched all the way through his shirt and now glistened his blazer. He ignored both me and my Mother as he made his way to the T.V, he was frantic and frenzied. Dropping the remote he cursed smacking the table. Once he'd found it he turned the T.v on.

"Laura, get Marcus into his room, he doesn't need to see this!" He shouted, I jumped at the sudden intensity of his words. My mom rushed to my side and tried pulling me away into my bedroom. But in doing so, I saw the T.V screen.

Fire, and smoke. A massive building lay in rubble. Hundreds of police cars, heroes, fire trucks, everything surrounded the wreckage. Pulling people from the destruction.

"What happened?" I shrugged of my Mom and ran towards the T.v. My Dad tried to stop me, but it was too late. I saw what was on the screen.

Killer Mantis

...

Terror Attack

…

Statue of Liberty

…

Destroyed

...

Villain escaped custody

…

Thousands presumed Dead

…

Rescue attempts unsuccessful

"The… You said… How did they…"

My Dad clutched my mom. He started whispering in her ear, hoping I wouldn't hear. But in that dreaded, unbearable silence I heard it all.

"Don't look outside. Don't step outside. Don't answer the phone."

To this day. I don't know why I did what I did. But my feet began to move. I walked towards the door. Gently, trying not to alert my parents, I opened it. Slowly it creaked open. The light was harsh and the orange glow was much too bright for my eyes.

But as the door opened I saw what my father was so scared of. Back then I didn't understand the words, but I felt the message in my very bones. There was shards of glass everywhere, the tree on our front porch was burning, and my Dad's car had been flipped on its side. Facing the front door was a hooded figure, hunched in front of our garage door. The hiss of spray paint as it licked those evil words onto the plain white panels.

He'd written the words in bold menacing red letters…

Spider Fucker

E-District, Present Day, Philip Decker POV

I stood, right where everyone had split up. It had been a little over an hour. I'd seen Nina and Emily moving around, heading into the various stores to do their shopping. I'd joined them for a while, but felt like a third wheel. So I stood by a convenience store, I'd bought a pack of gum and was chewing idly, trying not to focus on the clock.

"I didn't think Marcus would take so long with the car. Must be having trouble finding parking." I said out loud, talking to myself absentmindedly.

I pulled out my phone, I'd received several notifications from Ivy.

I: Hey :3

I: Do you wanna come over to my dorm t-nite?

I: I made some dinner if your hungry?

…

P: Yea! I'm in town right now, but I'll come over when we finish!

…

I: Perfect! Can't wait to see you!

P: Sa…~

I felt strong hands wrap around my shoulders. I looked right, and a tall girl I didn't recognise guided me into the alley. She wrenched my phone from out of my hand, and her friends all wearing black leather jackets with gold trimmings.

"Aw shit." I groaned, realizing who they were.

"Oh shit indeed. Nice phone you got here. Right guys?" Their leader said, she had long black hair, and a tattoo of a crown on her neck.

"Oh yeah, real nice phone."

"He got a pretty watch too?"

"I reckon he's got a fancy wallet!"

"Yea, I reckon he has all those things. Hand em over." Their leader, held up her fist, it turned into a harsh metallic texture. Two of her lackeys pulled out knives and snickered, while a third, a kid no younger than fourteen clenched his fist awkwardly. I slowly but surely began taking off my watch.

"I know the drill. Take it easy~"

"Not so fast Decker." Rang out a familiar voice from behind the gang of thugs. "These guys didn't ask nicely." Marcus dove in from behind, his foot connecting with the girls head, sending her barrelling towards me. I flicked my wrist and a trash can flew directly into the girls path, hitting her stomach with an audible pang.

Marcus landed beside me, his sleeves had ripped from the muscles on his arms, and his skin was mottled with black and red like hairs. Eight spider like eyes blinking as he smirked with pronounced fangs. Four colourful spider legs twitched and flexed as they ripped through his shirt.

"Nothing like a good ol alley brawl!"

"I had this completely under control." I shrugged holding up my hand towards the gang. A knife someone had thrown ricocheted of my ward and flew twice as fast back into the throwers hand.

"Sure you did." Marcus strapped a sort of gauntlet to his left arm. Before turning towards the now recovered girl of steel. Her whole body had gone metallic. Marcus hopped on his toes, and sprinted straight at her.

"I'll take the other guys then!" I dropped down, pressing my hand into the pavement. The cement cracked and shards of concrete levitated all around me, forming a swirling barrier of stone. "Whose first?"

E-District, Moments After, Nina Ahio POV

I heard the sound of a loud clang, and someone ragdolled out from an alley landing in a thud a few feet in front of me.

"Hey Nina!" He gasped as his head pulled back to see Emily and I staring down in disbelief.

I looked up, and saw a women clad in a sticky white substance, she was snarling, but most importantly she was made of metal. She grabbed his foot and threw him up into the air. He corrected himself easily mid air and stuck to a building high above.

"Nina do you think you could~!" He leapt off the building landing on the woman, smashing his fist into her face. She barely even flinched and he screamed in pain. "I don't why I thought that would work!" She grabbed him and shoved him against a wall, cracking it from the impact.

"Oh my stars!" Emily and I dropped our shopping bags and I ran up to the woman trying to pull her off. She didn't even look at me simply swatting her arm. It connected with my body and I lifted off landing way back.

Emily drew her shiny arc, it expanded into a two handed hammer it swirled in colour like a rainbow.

~ Emily Stonem, Emitter Quirk: Shiny Arc ~

'Emily's quirk is powered entirely by light. In the absence of light the arc grows incredibly weak and is incapable of shaping into weapons. But surrounded by light, even artificial, the arc grows in power at astounding rates!'

"Hey, little miss angry! I've got a hammer sandwich with your name on it!" Emily swung the hammer horizontally.

It impacted the women's side, and like a comic book she was thrown away by the sheer force of the swing. Straight… towards… me. I rolled out of the way, and the woman crashed into the pavement. I got up on my feet and so did she. Looking at me she swung her heavy iron fist.

I acted on instinct. Shielding my face with arms, I increased my pain tolerance. Her fist smashed into my arm, but I barely felt it.

"My turn!" I ducked, winding up my fist, purple lightning erupted all over my body. Throwing all my stored power into one-punch. I slammed my fist into her lower jaw. The woman was lifted off the ground and high into the air, soaring upwards a couple dozen meters. She slammed back into the ground, her eyes rammed shut, knocked unconscious from the combination blow.

E-District, Marcus Damhan POV

I turned the corner into the alley. Philip was fending off a trio of armed goons. I took off into a sprint, grabbing one by the neck. I lifted him off the ground and over my head, wrapping my arms around his stomach I flipped him head first into the ground. I rolled out from the ground, one of the goons turned his attention to me, knife in hand.

"Emily! Sword!" I called out to the girl. She kicked the guy who was fighting her in the groin, she twirled the hammer in mid air, in a split second it shimmered and shortened into a curved blade. She swung it against his head, it smacked him hard knocking him unconcious. Without thinking she tossed the sword over head.

It flew too high, but that wasn't a problem. Bracing my legs, I jumped, backflipping onto the alley wall. The bristles on my skin dug into the wall, connecting to its surface. With my right hand I caught that blade. It hummed against my skin but was surely fading in strength.

Pressing off, I dropped sword first. It connected with the knife and shattered it into a million pieces. The impact alone destroyed Emily's blade in a shower of light. The goon stumbled backwards and tried to run.

I reacted fast. I turned towards the goon Decker impaled with a knife earlier. It stuck into his shoulder blade. I pulled back the trigger on my gauntlet, gas hissed out of the contraption, I aimed, and released! A single strand of web shot out attaching to the hilt of the knife. I yanked it free, with a single fluid motion I swung the strand of web like a bladed whip. I lashed it outwards, the knife dug into the fleeing thugs leg. I twisted the motion it pulled out and wrapped around his thigh. Yanking hard, he tripped from the strong tugging force.

I reeled him, all six of my limbs furiously tugging on the string. The goon was screaming in fear. I set upon him in an instant. My fangs biting into his shoulder.

~ Marcus Damhan, Transformation Quirk: Spider-Form ~

'Marcus Damhan, earlier I said his quirk allowed him to take on the form of any spider he thought of. One of his special forms. Black Widow. Is a highly stealth based form. It makes his muscles slightly weaker. One advantage it has, is the potent venom that leaks from his fans. A single bite can paralyze an opponent for hours, as well as making them unbearably ill for days if left untreated!'

The goon stopped screaming, and struggling. His muscles seized up as the venom took hold.

"You may want to search your symptoms on your favourite web-site." I quipped giggling to myself.

Philip had trapped the last goon in a swarm of trash bags and rock shrapnel. He struggled but made no ground in breaking free.

"Web-site… Really? That's the best you had?" He burst out laughing, I heard Emily laughing from behind as well.

"Heat of the moment. I hadn't planned…" I went a bright shade of pink, my spider legs curled up against my shoulders in embarrassment, "Shut up! It was cool!

"Did you see Nina KO the Iron Woman?! That was cool! You making a web pun…" Emily cringed and I was lost for words.

"And a bad one at that." Nina high fived Emily. The three of them started laughing at me all over again. I felt my spindled legs retreat back inside, the bristles falling off as my skin returned to its normal palor. My fangs peeled back into my jaw, and the eight eyes faded away leaving me in my natural form.

My eyes darted to my right arm. On my forearm was the faint outline of the same crown tattoo. Without thinking, I untied my jacket from my waist and put it on. Covering the ink from the eyes of classmates.

"Should we go alert the security?" Emily propositioned, suddenly realizing the situation we were in.

I looked to the kid who Philip had bound and suspended. He was about fourteen by my guess, the Kings tattoo was proudly displayed on his cheek. I sighed.

"Not yet. Let me talk to the kid." I said seriously. Philip looked at me strange and lowered the kid to the ground.

Releasing him from his binds. The kid panicked and moved away at first but I reached down and grabbed him by the collar. I leaned in real close, so only he could hear me.

"You know who I am?" He opened his mouth to speak, but I wrenched upwards, shutting him up. "Run." I let him go, and he took off sprinting without looking back.

"What?! Why'd you let him go!?" Philip shouted in disbelief.

"He was just a kid. I grew up with guys like him. They don't know any better." Philip relaxed. He looked to the groaning mass of the other Black Kings.

"What about these guys?"

"They pulled knives! Let the security handle them!" I finished, leaving the alley.

Downtown, Philip Decker POV

We handed over the thugs to the E-Districts security. We received a harsh lecture about using our quirks in public, but they thanked us for stepping in and stopping the thugs. At Marcus' request, we didn't say anything about the younger thug. I found it odd he was so lenient, considering he didn't hold back when fighting them, to suddenly change his mind at the end… That didn't matter. He sprung into help me without a second thought. It's early to say, but I think I made my first friend today.

Marcus' car was a retro piece. Much like everything he owned. It was old, and had been painted over several times. But on the inside it was brand new, even had a roll cage installed. I sat in the back with Nina… Emily had called shotgun for eternity…

"You can't call shotgun for eternity!" I bellowed at the girl sitting in front of me.

"Well I did, and Marcus said it was okay, so~!" She looked back, pulling down on her eye and sticking her tongue out at me.

"Woah, you guys see that?!" I heard Nina say, she pointed out into the distance. At the large wreckage of a building I was all too familiar with. "What happened there?"

"That's~" Marcus started but I quickly finished.

"That's the Perez Art Museum." My breath was caught in my throat, as the traumatic memories flooded back in.

A/N

Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait. Due to life I was unable to write this until recently. Fortunately the chapter after this is already written and I will be posting it within a day or two! As for last weeks chapter name, unfortunately Sub, while that is a good answer. The chapter title is a reference to the video game Life is Strange, its a reference to the first episode of the game also called Chrysalis, it is named that way because the heroine Max, gets rid of the bullies not letting her into her dorm by using her powers to turn on sprinklers soaking the bullies and getting them to move. Something Nina and Emily emulated in that chapter.

This chapter's title is fairly straight forward. So I'll tell you what it is. Cats in the Cradle is a song sung by Harry Chapin. The song references the strained relationship between Father and Son, while their relationship isn't bad, it highlights their troubles over the songs duration. I used it because this is the first time Marcus' family is shown, and its a strong parallel to Marcus and his father. Chapters in future will usually have a song title as their inspiration/name.

Thanks for reading guys, sorry this chapter was a bit heavy! But it was a little necessary.

Au revoir mes amis, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter

Rev