A/N. There isn't too much to say this time, just that this chapter, as a said last time, will be a little bit of a filler. It'll be another chapter before the real drama begins. But, this chapter will have some key development, including revealing what's gonna happen in the next chapter, and what the main threat in the story will be. To those who saw the show, or know the plot, I think you'll know what's coming... Anyways, let's get to it! And once you're done, leave a review, favorite, follow, and as always… Enjoy!
Alright, that wasn't too long of a wait, right?
The first sign that something was wrong was when Alaana marched onto the platform in a huff.
Lonz and I had been busy testing silk strength when she arrived, so we didn't really take note of it. But when she practically threw herself into a seat near us and began sorting through her bag, we definitely noticed how off her her behavior was. Alaana wasn't known to be outwardly angry about things, that job was usually passed back and forth between Aquata and Arista. But there was definitely something up, and we were curious.
"What's wrong Ally?" Alonzo prompted.
She studied a couple of papers for a moment, before answering. "I just had to quit my job."
I was on my feet at once. "What?! WHY?!"
I'll admit, I was a little biased there. If it were any old job, that would already be concerning, but if I were in her shoes, I wouldn't give up that job for the world! Studying under Norman Osborne would be a dream come true! He was such a great guy, how did this happen?!
She scowled into the depths of her bag. "He just wasn't paying us! He's too busy trying to live his own fantasy life with all his wako inventions, that he didn't even pay attention when he was warned that his funding was running out! We've been talking about it for weeks, and everyone just got fed up!"
There had to be some mistake. "Mr. Osborne wouldn't do that, he cares about his work." I said.
"He cares about his work too much to care about the people helping him do his work." she muttered.
No way... there had to be some explanation. Norman Osborne cares about people! He wouldn't just neglect them long enough to want to quit… right?
Alonzo looked uncomfortable. "Vi… I know you look up to this guy, but that sounds like a pretty big deal to me. I mean, not getting paid at all, no funding… it sounds to me like he's not doing okay."
"Yeah, he's absolutely losing it." said Alaana. "I haven't even seen him at all this week! He's been cooped up in his office. Peter's seen him a few times, but he's been all dazed and distracted, writing things of papers and obsessing over keeping to himself." She then placed some of the contents in her bag to the side. "At least I got to take my research with me. Now I can keep studying it at home."
I sat down while Alonzo left to go get Athena. This made absolutely no sense. And this definitely didn't sound like the Norman Osborne I knew. Well… I only met him once, but I knew his work. His values. He cared about the planet's problems, and really thought he could better them. Years of reading his books were proof of this fact. Nothing would override that.
Soon, Athena and the rest of the sisters were rushing back to the main platform, Alonzo in tow. "Alaana, your brother just informed me that you quit!" She said sternly. "What happened, my daughter?"
Alaana explained the whole story over again, and at the end of it, Athena looked concerned. I could understand why. That was a good paying job, and now that she had quit, what were they going to do?
"I didn't want to quit, but it wasn't like I was getting any money out of it anyway." Alaana said. "I'll go out first thing tomorrow morning and start job-hunting. Hopefully for one with better pay."
"There must be something wrong, if he's having problems," I said, sorting through the papers she had brought back with her. "You said he's been distracted. By what exactly?"
She looked over at me. "With everyone leaving, he's been getting offers from other people wanting to buy his company. He's even getting offers to make things for the army. But he won't show his work to anyone. He's so scared of getting beaten to the punch."
Then she sighed. "It's driving Mrs. Osborne crazy. She's been trying to warn him about this for a long time, but he didn't pay attention."
I looked up from the paper in my hand. "Well, if he's in trouble, we should find a way to help him, right? I should ask Peter tonight and see what he has to say. He didn't quit too, did he?"
Alaana shook her head. "No. He said your family couldn't afford for him to be out of work either." She smiled. "It's good that you want to help. Peter's going to be very proud of you."
(A few hours later…)When Peter arrived home, he looked short on sleep, and his eyes couldn't really focus on one thing at a time. This was how he had looked for the past month now since the attack. I felt bad about bothering him, because he seemed so worn out, but I was worried that if I didn't ask, he would be too tired later. Eric and Percy were both job searching now, at long last, and Estelle and Tyson were at a babysitter for the next hour or two, so I only had a short window of time for this.
It was now or never.
"Hi Peter." I said, walking over and moving to help him with his bag. "I was wondering if we could talk about something. I know you're very tired, but it can't wait. Is that okay?"
Peter blinked for a moment, looking somewhat surprised, before nodding. "...Sure, that sounds fine."
We walked up the short flight of stairs, before going into the room that Peter and Eric shared. We set his bag down on the end of his bed, before we sat down, facing each other.
"So, what's up? Are you okay?" he asked.
"Not exactly." I admitted. "Ala-"
I instantly stopped and shut my mouth at once. I had almost let it slip. I had almost said Alaana's real name. None of us could afford that right now. I had to act fast, because Peter was staring at me curiously.
"Sorry. I almost said something else. Mary Jane came back to Mounique's house while I was there and said that she quit today. Did you know about that?" I asked.
His face fell. "Yeah, I was there. Most of his closest employees are gone now. I will admit, he has been having some difficulties as of late. I work in a different department than Mary Jane did, so I know a bit more about it. He didn't want us saying anything, but I know you won't tell."
Bingo. This is exactly the information I needed. "When did this start?" I questioned.
"About a week and a half ago. You remember that crazy news story they sent out about the Spider-Girl, right?"
"Of course, how could I forget that!" I said. Careful, careful. No point in giving myself away either.
I had made just about every headline in the world within at least ten days, and had been foiling criminals almost every day since. I was pretty tired too, come to think of it. Good thing I requested we take the night off while I questioned my brother. Neither Arista or Andrina were too happy about it, and Athena gave them permission to go out and look for shady people to keep and eye on while I was busy tonight.
"Well, he's very convinced that she's his invention. Something that got out and slipped under the radar. He's very secretive about his work, so of course he freaked out. Then, not long afterward, I heard Emily tell him that some other people we work with were leaving, because our funding had run out, and they took every bit of notes, research, and material they had with them. So now he's convinced one of them is a traitor." He explained.
That caught me off guard. "Traitor?!" I asked in surprise. Norman Osborne would never speak like that… would he? "Are you sure that's what he said? It seems a little extreme…"
He shook his head. "No, that's the exact word he used. I feel bad for Emily, the whole thing is driving her insane. Especially when he said what he was gonna do next, but don't ask about that. It's not worth getting you're hopes up, because it's simply not gonna work."
He had my attention. "Actually, could you?"
Another look of surprise. He frowned sadly. "Why? I know you really look up to him, but I really don't think he's everything you think he is. I would quit myself, but we really can't afford that."
Ouch. That hurt. Why would he say that about one of my heros? I tried not to let my anger show as I explained, afraid that if I got too angry that I might let something slip. "Because I want to help him. I'm sure that we can think of something that can get his funding back up and running.
Now he smiled. "Okay. I guess I can tell you. Maybe you could help in a way. You're definitely smart enough." Then his face turned serious. "You promise you won't tell anyone?" he asked.
I nodded. "I won't tell a soul."
'Unless I have to.' I thought to myself, thinking of the friends I had to keep secret. They wouldn't tell a soul either.
Peter took a deep breath, and began. "Okay. So, Norman is convinced that he's found a way to authentically mutate someone. Not an accident like he's sure Spider-Girl is, but to give someone powers like her's on purpose. He's been building some sort of machine, in the basement of the building, that could possibly hold these abilities."
He stopped for a minute. "I know. It sounds crazy, doesn't it? His wife certainly thinks he is."
I, on the other hand, sat frozen. A machine that could mutate someone… "A discovery like that could definitely get his funding back! As long as it's not dangerous, he'll be back in business in no time!" I shouted.
Yes! YES! This was the information I needed to help. Mutation certainly wouldn't be dangerous. It wasn't for me, and I could help add to that, set precautions to make sure it wasn't. All we needed to do is help to make sure it wasn't dangerous, and reversible if they wanted, and he would be set for life! Peter could be paid more. Maybe Alaana could get her job back. The possibilities were endless…
Wait.
Reversible.
I imagined myself asking Norman Osborne the question. "If this machine could mutate someone, does if have the ability to turn someone back?" If it did…
Alonzo.
Alonzo, who had been deprived of his humanity for so long, now had what we all thought to be impossible. The chance to have his humanity back. This was the opportunity of a lifetime. I could just imagine what wonders it would do for their family. No more hiding in the shadows. He could at last have a normal life. Maybe Arachne would no longer feel the need to hide. I could bring them joy again. Real joy, which is all I wanted for them, and what would make me most happy. I imagined how happy they would be afterwards too, and that image was enough for me to make up my mind.
Instantly, I devised a plan. I turned to Peter and asked. "When can I see Mr. Osborne. I think we should do this as soon as possible!" I said.
He blinked at me for a few moments, and then finally said, "Well, school ends for you in three days. We're gonna be busy that night with Eric's graduation, but I can definitely take you the day afterwards."
"Perfect." I said, feeling giddy with excitement. "Thank you for talking to me."
"Sure. This sounds like a good plan." he said. As I stood up to leave, I heard him say behind me. "And, Violet?"
I turned around. "Yeah?"
He grinned. "Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. I've been noticing you haven't really been talking to us for the last month now, and I was getting worried…"
Shoot. So he has noticed something was up. I had to be more careful. So I smiled. "Sorry, it's just that I've been busy hanging out with Monique. It's been helping me cope with Mom not being around right now."
He nodded. "I understand. We're all trying to cope in different ways." Then he got a quizzical look on his face. "Mary Jane says she doesn't want me to see where she lives. She called it a 'dump'. Is that true?"
I paused. How on earth was I going to explain this?! I decided quickly. There was no way I was breaching Alaana's trust.
"I don't think she'd want me to say. It's not in my place to." I answered quietly.
Silence. Then, "Okay. I've been worried about her, too. She's been acting a little strange all week. She said that she felt like something was gonna happen, but maybe she's just being superstitious. I was worried that I asked something too personal about her home."
"I don't think so. She doesn't mind." I said quickly.
"Good. Thanks for coming to me. I'm available whenever you need me." he said.
"You're welcome. I'm available, too." I said, before walking to my room. It did feel pretty good, getting to have a conversation like that with one of my siblings or parents. I don't remember the last time that happened. The feeling was nice.
I shut the door, locked it just in case, and then picked up my phone. "Ariel?" I said when she picked up. "Can you put your brother on for me?"
"Sure!" she said. "Zo-Zo, can you come over here quickly?"
"Don't call me that!... Listen, I'm a little busy right now…""Violet's on the phone." I heard her say. There were several unidentifiable noises on the other end, before Lonz's voice came through much clearer on the other end. "Um, Violet! Hi!... How much of that did you hear?"
"I didn't hear anything." I said. Better not to embarrass him. I wonder which sister came up with 'Zo-Zo' though.
"Okay, great! Sorry it took a minute, I was busy… um, planning something. That can wait though, what do you need?"
"I need your help. Peter was just talking with me about Norman Osborne, and I think I found a way to get his funding back up!" I quickly described my plan, leaving out the part that involved him. I wanted to surprise him when we got there, and save if for after we made sure it worked.
Ariel had been listening as well. "I don't know. Doesn't this guy sound a little sketchy to you?" It was the same tone she had when she was on the field trip. "I avoided saying anything because I know you look up to him, but this may be crossing the line."
Now she sounded like Peter. I wasn't angry though. "Ariel, it's Norman Osborne. Why would he go out of his way to help humanity and the planet, if he planned on hurting it? That's just not what he does. I know this guy. I trust him."
"And we trust you too, Violet. I'm in. You need help getting into the building and to this machine?" Alonzo asked.
"No, not exactly. If anything went wrong, I would have you two to help. Dangerous stuff can happen in there, I know from experience, so I think it might be better if you're there with me. We do need Alaana too though, she's the only one who really knows that place. Plus, Peter will be there, so she can help distract him if it comes to that." I explained.
"You thought this out pretty well. When is this happening?" asked Alonzo.
"In four days. The day after we get let out of school." I said.
"That sounds great! We'll definitely help you." said Ariel.
"Thanks. You guys are the best. See you tomorrow, we'll talk about it more then." I said. After we said our goodbyes, I laid there on my bed for hours, daydreaming about the expression on Lonz's face when I told the truth about my real motive to him. The combination of surprise and happiness would be more than enough…
It's too bad, really. How wrong everything went afterward.
A/N. Oh dear. They are in for it next chapter. Next time is gonna be a big chapter. Nobody could possibly imagine the danger that lurks, and then everything will go downhill afterward. There will definitely be trouble now. But it's still a little ways away. Anyways, that's just about it. And once you're done, leave a review, favorite, follow, and as always… Stay tuned! ;)