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Chapter 24 Rise of the Spider Part 3
Thursday three days later 7:10 AM Midtown High School
Gwen was really freaking out ever since Monday afternoon, she hadn't been able to sleep; no scratch that after Peters death, the blonde hair girl hadn't slept at all maybe for three hours and that's it. She deducted that she had spider powers just like her deceased friend she wanted to tell someone but whom could she tell after all; having powers was a big responsibility. Not to mention that the paparazzi was still going about covering every angle of Spider-Man as they could, especially the scientific field.
She didn't want that type of attention.
Gwen shut her locker her placed her head on it taking a deep breath, there had to be someone she could trust but who?
"Hey Gwen!" A familiar voice called out to her, "Are you alright after the whole Spider-Man fiasco?"
'Mary Jane!' The blonde thought, so far the redhead girl hadn't squealed anything about Peter and it wouldn't be fair to her if she kept this a secret.
MJ was about to place a hand on her when Gwen shot her own catching it by the wrist surprising the girl, "Whoa what's got you jumpy today?"
Gwen turned her head to get a good look at her MJ was puzzled. The red head notice dark circles around her friend's eyes.
"Still depressed I see, Gwen I know how you feel but don't torture yourself like this not getting enough sleep is not good for you."
Gwen didn't say anything only unhooked her head from the locker dragging the redhead girl to the girls restroom, once inside the blonde checked to make sure the coast was clear she then locked the door put her bag on the sink and turned to Mary Jane.
MJ bit her lip afraid that her friend might cry again she's been doing it for the last two weeks and four days. So sheepishly she opened arms waiting for her friend to jump in them so she may comfort her.
Gwen held up a finger, "I'm not going to cry. I have something to show you…"
"Keep telling yourself that Gwen, just let it out and get it over with I know you like the back of my head mind you." MJ countered
"Mary Jane I'm serious…"
"So am I…"
Obviously this was getting nowhere so instead of feuding back and forth, she'll show the girl instead. She looked up at the ceiling then at the corner of the wall; thankfully the ceilings were high enough to do a basic acrobat stunt she nodded then pointed to it.
"See that wall?"
"Yes…"
"Watch closely…" She somersaulted backwards landing perfectly with her back to it. Mary Jane eyes bulged out of her sockets as she dropped her hands.
"Gwen you…you…"
"Shut the lips please I don't need people coming in here."
"Your not going to web my mouth like Peter did the day of the charity ball are you?" Mary Jane covered her mouth just in case
The blonde dropped to the floor fortunately she was wearing jeans and sneakers today instead of a miniskirt, "If I could I would but I can't so no."
Dropping her hand she rushed the girl placing hands on her shoulders, "Gwen do you realize what this means you have spider p…MMPH…"
"KEEP IT DOWN…" The other hissed letting her hand drop from the mouth of her longtime friend, "Yes which is why you're the first person to know and you cannot tell anyone."
"What about Harry? After seeing who Spider-Man is he seemed really he's pretty hurt by the fact that his best friend kept such a huge a secret."
"With the things Peter had to put up with I'm sure it was for a good reason, secret identity means you have to protect your loved ones no matter what the cost but I see your point, we'll tell Harry privately after that no one else!" Gwen stated forcefully
"Gotcha…"
"Now let's talk spider costume…"
Mary Jane smiled this was going to be fun however their conversation would have to be postponed since the bell had rung signa.
"We'll talk at the library during lunch?"
"Agreed…" The two girls gave each other a hug then gathered up their belongings and left to their homeroom.
Later in the Homeroom everyone was settling down, Mary Jane sat near Gwen as usual as they did when they were assigned their schedules. Everything was going fine so they thought when the teacher came in the room.
"Class I have some wonderful news we are having a new student today so I will like you to welcome him." The teacher signaled, the door was open, all eyes were on the kid, when he entered they notice that he had a blue hoodie on with a spider tilted on a diagonal and dark black jeans with Air Jordan's on. The class noticed that he had his hood on with a one-strap backpack.
The teacher then stated, "Would you please take off your hood and introduce yourself?"
He obliged and when he did the class held their breath because they thought they saw Peter Parker back from the dead. Gwen and Mary Jane jaw dropped this kid looked almost exactly like him…
"Hey, I'm Ben Reilly I'm from Upstate New York Albany…pleasure to meet you." He said with a grin.
Bayville High School
Two weeks four days gone by guess whom everyone was talking about? You guessed it none other than Peter Parker. It was non-stop chatter about him; you think that conversation would die yet after what happened in the high school it wouldn't.
Some students were grateful that he kept crime to a low however other students had a lowly opinion about him namely Duncan. Soon the most popular kid in school became the most ridicule one, so he stopped just to save whatever dignity he had left.
His locker was turned into a memorial with flowers and gift cards overflowing even the principle placed a flower in his locker once, she narrowed her eyes as she stared at the picture when she passed, "I never liked you as Spider-Man or as a human and lo I hate to say it but thank you for saving my life and my daughters as well."
Raven then left to attend other business, Xavier has two new students or a new student and semi student Evan Daniel and Forge. However the Brotherhood had a new recruit that was Quicksilver Pietro Maximoff the son of her leader Magneto.
Right now she had a field trip to attend to not to mention she had to see what her nemesis were up to.
Outside in front of the high school Scott and Jean were talking about the simulation they did this morning however Jean heart was not in the conversation, her mind still went back to Peter whenever she thought about it her heart hurt it finally sunk in that he was dead. Jean spent hours in the lap of the Professor crying.
When she for the first time went into Peter mind for the first time to get a verification to help him two people he faintly remembered came across his mind. She recognized them immediately yet couldn't remember their names ignoring it completely, she tried to help him fight the man known as Karn.
Brief Flashback Xavier's office three day after the attack
"I just…can't come to terms Professor…" Jean head was on the knees of the professor; she was on her knees kneeling in front of her father figure sobbing over his lap.
Charles passed his hand over his most prized head trying his best to sooth her she spent hours in his office crying, "Jean look at me."
With her weary head she looked up at her father figure, her eyes red from the tears flowing, with his thumb he wiped them away, "It's hard to loose a friend I know but there is a time that we most depart from this world unto the next unfortunately Peter death was most untimely that it was but nevertheless he will live within the hearts of many."
"Professor…it wasn't a friend I felt we lost…I feel like he was something more than just a friend…to me he was something more but I can't be too sure…"
The Professor nodded, "I understand Jean…right I don't think Peter would want you to mourn for death any longer than you should. Come to terms with it and let it go remember who he was instead of what he was not."
Jean nodded getting up wiping the tears away, and then Xavier pulled out something gold from around his neck. He unclipped it then handed it over to her, "When I first found you Jean in the orphanage one of the maidens gave me this…" He passes the locket to Jean, who looks puzzled, "I haven't opened the locket because I have no key to open it. I think it time it returned to its rightful owner maybe it holds answers that you are looking for."
End Flashback
Ever since then she hasn't taken the locket off, as a matter of fact she doesn't know what to do with it.
"Jean? Are you even listening?" Scott said
"Hmm…I'm sorry Scott I'm just trying to come to terms with Peter death what did you say before?"
"No it's okay I was just saying how unfair that the Professor threw in a monkey wrench instead of doing the way it was briefed."
"You talking about how the Professor threw Rouge into the simulation throwing off your game? What's the big deal?" She asked
"Me fouling up is not the problem."
"Then what? Because he chose Rogue."
"I guess yeah." He said, they stop in front of the door of the building, "Look how can we pretend that she's the enemy in battle simulation when we are trying to convince her to be our friend. If we can't think of her as a friend she'll never what to join us."
Jean puts a hand on his shoulder, "Look Scott nobody is asking you to stop trying with Rogue besides it was only a simulation, now let's get to the bus before we are left behind, k?"
She hugs his arms leaving the school unaware who was around the corner, Raven Darkhölme had a nasty little smirk on her face, "Oh my dear Jean I want you X-Men to stay away from my daughter with your little naïve thinking."
In the workout room
Alone in the workout room Rouge was throwing punches and kicks at her invisible target. She launches a few more punches then kicks the air with jump roundhouse; since she was off balance she lands on her behind.
"Jean tie that over there!"
Rogue looks over her shoulder hearing a familiar voice
"Got it."
The pale goth girl looks out the window watching the interaction between Jean and Scott. Quickly she reaches for the blinds shutting them close she didn't want to be spotted by those two. Yet curiosity got the better of her so she took a peak she watches how Jean touches Scott shoulders; it wasn't fair why can't she just have a normal life with a normal guy? Even if he did had to wear a pair of dark shades.
She was unaware of the person next to her with cross arms that was until she turned her head to the left, "Gasp…Principle Darkhölme!"
"He's never going to be your friend. You that."
"Who Scott? Ah ain't interested in him." She turned quickly to avoid the eyes of the principle from seeing her red face
The dark haired woman raised a brow, "Oh really? Tell me dear have you forgotten what Mr. Summers and his friends attacked you?"
Rogue began to punch the punching bag for a bit yet the words the principle said spoke volumes to her, "No it's just that…"
The older woman stood right behind her, "Just a little while ago I heard their discussion of their simulating exercises with you as their target."
"But why?" She asked, "Why would they do that?"
"I think it's time that you be reminded just who your friends really are…" The principle went grabbing a backpack for the trip, "Enjoy the field trip dear it should prove most enlighten."
Rogue watched her retreating back then out the window.
Back outside
Scott and Jean were just finishing up the last of packing their bags. Then the professor called out.
"Jean!"
The red head looked up to see the teacher walking up to her
"What is it?"
"Bad news it seems that the administration won't clear your time off for the field trip." He said, "Something about too many absentee days in your files."
Jean looked in shock while Scott came to her defense, "Whoa wait a minute teach, those were all approved!"
"If they just call Professor Xavier he can…"
"I wish we had the time but they already filled your spot." Jean looked down in disappointment, "I promise we'll get this mess sorted out when we get back."
The redhead girl wouldn't look at him, "Hey I'm really sorry."
"Yeah well have fun…" She took her bag out while Scott was giving complain
"Who filled her spot?"
"The new student…" He said pointing back to Rogue who was getting on the bus but stopped to look at Scott with an evil smirk, "Ok geologist let's go in times are wasting."
Scott narrowed his eyes not believing this was happening.
Mansion Xavier's office
Within in his studies Xavier was reading his book in the silence when he felt a draft enter his room. He looked out the window apparently a storm was going to brew soon. Placing the book down he turned to close the window of his bedroom when suddenly a powerful force sent him crashing to his stand.
He tried to stop but couldn't. He knew one person who was cable of doing such a thing, "Magneto! Why are you here?"
"I've come to pay your compliments. Your young charges…they seem to be flourishing…by your tutelage…"
Xavier tried to get his chair working, "Yes the are doing quite well."
"I'm referring to the development of their mutant powers."
"I'm very proud of them!"
"Proud? You don't trust them!" The voice accused
"I do trust them with my LIFE!"
"But not with the truth!" Xavier was then hurled towards the window at full speed, he braced for impact only it never came. He felt himself in the air while his wheelchair crashed into the window.
Another deep voice sounded, "You got some nerve picking on people who aren't able to see you. "
"Who are you?" Magneto questioned
Xavier watched as his windows were repaired in an instant while his wheelchair rolled underneath him then the force placed him down.
"Call me the Guardian…I will be watching over the Mansion as well as the X-Men Magneto and if you ever show yourself here again…I promise that you will regret it."
The voices left, Xavier placed a hand to his temple to scan for the life that protected him to his dismay he found nothing.
Midtown High School Study Hall
In the library Mary Jane and Gwen were in the library drawing sketches to what Gwen new costume would like. The whole school was abuzz for the fact that a person who looks likes their fallen former classmate was in the building.
"Can you believe that kid looks like Peter?" Mary Jane whispered
"Hmmm…"
"I mean come on, Peter is gone and next thing you know that guy show ups looking like him…do you…do you think he's a clone or did Peter faked his death?"
"At this point I don't know what to believe." Gwen stated as she continued to sketch, she put her pencil down signaling that she was done, "What do you think?"
MJ stopped drawing to look at the drawing Gwen did she did a low whistle, "I swear Gwen you should give up being a scientist and start drawing for a living you certainly have a knack to draw."
It was a drawing of a female complete body black and white suit with a white hood with purple and light blue web lines in certain places on the biceps of the arms and in the hood with light blue sneakers from what it looked like.
"Are you sure because I am really lousy at drawing…"
"Are you kidding me Gwen? You really have an artistic ability! Why don't you explore that side more often I mean I'm no expert but I do know that people who are scientist draw to record what they find, am I not right?"
"Well…I guess I really never thought of it like that before."
Before Mary Jane could say anything further Ben appeared out of nowhere, "Mind if I sit here?"
The two girls looked up to see the blonde; they saw he had a book about 'Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration into the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel'.
They nodded letting him sit with them, thanking them he pulled chair then sat upon it. He couldn't help but notice the drawings, "Hey this is pretty neat! What are you guys up to?"
Gwen thought of lie and she though it out up quick, "Well ever since Spider-Man Peter Parker died Mary Jane and myself have thought what if there was a Spider-Woman running around."
"I'm pretty sure that there is one going around though I do feel we haven't met her yet." He opened his book, after the small talk they fell into an awkward silence.
Somewhere else in Upstate New York
The figure ran through the woods, panting hard as they heard the guard dogs closing in.
"I think she went this way quickly before subject three escapes like the other two."
'She why do they call me a she?' The figure looked around frantically, they just had to get away from the guard dogs lose their scents in something but what?
They ran before stumbling down a steep hill, once they hit the bottom they looked at their reflection at small pond.
"What the…I'm female? No this is got to be a dream I was born male! I was born…" The female had no chance to finish her/his thoughts
"She went down there quickly before she escapes!" One guard said
Quickly pushing up she sprinted down towards the forest 100 ft away, once they ran through the dense woods she/he saw light at the end and smiled, "I'm home free…WHOA!"
They skidded to a stop towards a cliff apparently there was a large waterfall drop; she looked at her obstacle then back at the woods, clearly not liking the situation. She heard yelling, guards and guard dogs.
"Alright Parker let's do this…why does my voice sound so much lighter? Whatever jump!" She/he jumped into the falling water feet first flailing the arms; the guards came running up to the edge finding nothing.
"We lost her…Mr. Warren is not going to be happy with this one escaping, that's the third one in two weeks!" One of the guards said
"Yeah? Tell that to my family I'm trying to support…we are so fired!"
"Above all the subjects to clone, why did he did he pick the one with spider powers!"
The dozen guards called back their dogs going back to the facility failing in their mission to catch subject 3.
Below the female figure came out gasping for air, "*cough*…*cough*…*cough*…I got to get back home…"
She/he swam to the bank, the figure climbed out soaked and wet they took a few steps however not before taking a good look at themselves in the water. When they did the figure saw a female face.
They looked down pulled the gown out to see female assets instead the male assets, "Okay Peter this is a dream and you are in bed trying to wake up from this nightmare."
'Peter' pinched herself yet didn't wake up.
"I got to go home, but where am I?" 'Peter' walked into the forest once again hoping to find out where she was hoping to see if she can go home.
LXD: Happy New Year to you readers! So chapter 24 for you so let's start the New Year with a bang with an update in Spider-Man evolution, I've been thinking about something but I will tell you next time. There is a poll on my profile so vote! Comment, rate, subscribe…