(A/N: I do not own Spiderman or Assassin's Creed. That right belongs to Ubisoft and Sony).
"How did you let him slip away?" Emmanuel asked as they walked into their next class, practically scolding Peter who just look down at the ground.
He had no idea what happened. When he got back to the computer lab, the Sage was gone.
"I...I got distracted. Mary-Jane just surprised me and she badgered me into taking her out to lunch. I don't know where she even came from or why she even wanted to go out to lunch to begin with. She's never asked me to do something like that before" Peter said, explaining himself.
"And the Sage was gone when you came back?" Chris asked, confused.
"Yes. I looked all over the lab. He just wasn't there" Peter said, practically exasperated.
"Hmm….that's so odd. Our sources claimed that when he was at the computer lab at lunch period, he never left until it was time for his next class. I wonder what happened?" Chris asked.
"And why was your friend so keen on you taking her out to lunch?" Emmanuel asked as well. It sent them all into thinking mode.
After several moments, something clicked to Chris, He snapped his fingers in his Eureka moment and turned to both Peter and Emmanuel.
"The Assassins" Chris whispered to both Peter and Emmanuel.
"The Assassins? What do they have to do with anything?" Peter asked, confused. Emmanuel suddenly seemed to get the same idea as Chris.
"I see what he's getting at, Pete. During lunch, Osborn came over to our table. It seems he knows about our society" Emmanuel explained.
"What? How?" Peter asked, a little nervously.
"One of those Assassins probably told him...they probably told your friends to distract Standish and keep you away from him" Chris explained.
"I agree. There's no other way Osborn could have found out. They're working against us" Emmanuel said, grimly.
They all sat quietly for a second before Peter spoke up.
"So what do we do now?" Peter asked.
Chris and Emmanuel looked at each other for a second and nodded at each other.
"Pete, why don't you let us handle this? We'll call you later tonight. We'll have this cleared up by then. For now, just go about your day. Do what you gotta do" Emmanuel said.
"Uh...ok, I guess" Peter said. They seemed to be acting a bit odd about this.
"Just trust us, Peter. It'll all turn out fine. We're going to have the power of the Observatory by the end of this week" Chris explained, placing his hand on Peter's shoulder in a gentle manner, in a way that kind of soothed Peter's skeptical thoughts.
"...Alright. That sounds good...thanks, guys. I thought you'd be more mad" Peter said, a little relieved.
"No trouble, Peter. We gotta proceed more cautiously though, now that the Assassins are interfering" Emmanuel said.
"What about Harry or MJ or maybe even Gwen or Liz? If they really are working against us now, then that means that they're associated with those Assassins. I don't want to hurt them" Peter said in a worried tone.
"They won't get hurt. We promise" Emmanuel said, assuring Peter though Emmanuel wasn't exactly sure himself what would happen.
"Alright...I guess we better start listening now" Peter said as the teacher went to the front of the class.
"Oh, joy" Emmanuel said, sarcastically, trying to bring in levity after all the tension that just went on.
"Come off it, Emmanuel" Chris said, playfully shoving Emmanuel who just glared back. This caused Peter to chuckle, thoughts of the conversation before in the back of his mind but he was curious though as to how they would get Standish to work with them.
However, thoughts of that seemed to fade away as he wrote down notes for a test next Thursday.
*After the school day*
Mary-Jane, Gwen and Liz walked out the school together. They gathered after the last bell and discussed the success of their plan.
"So Peter didn't see John at all?" Mary-Jane asked, making clear she heard right.
"Nope. John went right to class after he got done helping us" Liz answered confidently.
"What did he help you with anyway?" Mary-Jane asked curiously.
"It was just a bunch of cheer photos I buried in my computer that I said were pretty embarassing. He just made some computer thingy to put them into a folder" Liz answered.
"Were they embarrassing?" Mary-Jane asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Nah, just typical photos of me in my cheerleading outfit, some cheerleading poses...though I'm pretty sure I had a zit in one of them" Liz said, shivering at the thought.
Mary-Jane and Gwen just looked at her with annoyed looks on their faces and rolled their eyes.
"So...what now?" Gwen asked.
"Don't know. We did our Job. Peter didn't get a hold of Standish so that means this cult can't use him for this Observatory place" Mary-Jane said.
"This sounds like a bunch of crap to me, honestly. A device that can track every single person on Earth? Please. Also, how do we even know it exists?" Liz asked.
"I don't know but everything the guy said has been true so far. Peter was going after Standish in the computer lab and these guys are pretty shady. I'd say let's wait a bit until we get called by him again. He should have a way to protect John and then we can focus on getting Peter away from those two asshats" Mary-Jane said, sneering at the mention of them.
"Yeah...about Peter….I think Gwen and I need to have a little chat about him" Liz said, narrowing her eyes toward the blonde.
Gwen turned her head and looked at Liz in confusion.
"What do you mean?" Gwen asked.
"Well...you've mentioned that you want to get together with Peter like you wanted to months ago...but...with everything that's happened...I think he'd be happier with me" Liz stated.
Gwen just stared at Liz who stared back.
"...And what makes you say that?" Gwen asked, not in a hostile manner but in a curious one ablove all.
"Well...I mean you did break his heart and leave him alone for months as you said. I never did any such thing. Now that I know why he disappeared so much when we were together and that enough time has passed to reflect on his choices regarding our relationship...I think I'm a much better match for him" Liz said with a neutral face. She didn't hate Gwen but she was a rival in this instance.
"Well...I'm not so sure about that. I did make some pretty costly mistakes, I admit that but I was manipulated. I thought Harry needed me" Gwen retorted.
"Yes, I can see why...but you never once considered that maybe Peter probably needed you more?" Liz asked with a raised eyebrow.
The tension was clearly building up between the two and Mary-Jane was quite annoyed with the fact that she was literally in the middle of this.
"Well I'll be there for him now...whenever he needs me" Gwen said, her annoyance and anger slowly rising.
"And suppose he doesn't want you to be there for him after all the pain you caused him?" Liz asked.
Before Gwen could respond back, Mary-Jane couldn't stand any more of this and finally spoke up.
"Ok now. Listen! We have more important things to worry about than which one of you Peter would want more so if you're done playing mental smackdown, let's focus. Now!" Mary-Jane said.
Liz shrugged. "Alright"
Gwen nodded. "Yeah...Let's"
The blonde shot a quick glance at Liz. Gwen wasn't aware Liz still held feelings for Peter. That may would cause some issues down the line but she stayed focused. She had to remember that Peter left Liz for her….but then again, Gwen ended up not leaving Harry for Peter...something that Peter took to heart for 3 months as he lived in a personal hell.
That caused Gwen to shift back into simmering doubt. What if Liz was right? What if Peter wasn't just upset with her but straight up hated her for how she treated him over the summer? She couldn't blame him but it also didn't sound like the Peter she knew. However, it seemed the Peter she knew was quickly disappearing the more he slipped down into this rabbit hole that these Templars dug for him.
As she pondered these thoughts, the girls began walking down the sidewalk away from the school. Suddenly, they heard a whistle from behind him. All three quickly turned around but saw no one around.
After a few moments they turned back and began walking again but it seems Mary-Jane stepped on something. She looked down and saw a piece of paper. She moved her foot and picked it up. It looked to be another note from the hooded man from the dumpster last night. It was labeled to Mary-Jane, Gwen and Liz, again in newspaper and magazine clippings.
All three girls looked closely as Mary-Jane opened the note. The note read as such:
"Thank you for keeping Peter away from Standish. My sources indicated that Mary-Jane had kept Peter distracted and that Gwen and Liz kept Standish away from the lab the entire lunch period"
"This guy is one weird stalker" Liz said, shivering.
"He is but he's the only friend we've got against these goons" Mary-Jane said. Gwen nodded in agreement. They then continued reading.
"Meet me at the dumpster again tonight so we can discuss what to do next. With the Templars not knowing of our correspondence, they'll think they'll have another chance on Monday. My group has to take advantage of that fact and get the Sage out of their hands permanently (For now at least). I have a few ideas that need not concern you about that but the three of you are also pretty close to Peter so we need to discuss how we can convince him to keep away from the Templars.
We'll discuss in further detail later tonight. Same time as before
AC
Get rid of the note this time….I mean it"
"Ok...that's good I guess" Mary-Jane said, making sure to rip the note up this time and throw it in a nearby trash can.
"Yeah...I guess we'll get to continue our discussion later tonight at the dumpster, Gwen" Liz said, sending a slight glare to the blonde.
"Yeah. I guess we will" Gwen said, sending the same to Liz.
Mary-Jane rolled her eyes. "Ok. Going home now. Not getting in the middle of this. See you tonight"
The redhead then walked away from the 2. The other girls decided to follow suit and walk away from each other as well, beginning their journeys home.
Little did they know someone was watching close behind with great interest and overheard a discussion at the dumpster.
They didn't make any facial expression or say anything. Just made a mental note to be there with them. The person spying turned around and walked away from the scene.
*The Rikkin Penthouse, 7PM*
Peter was called by Emmanuel an hour earlier and had been told to meet them at the penthouse. The 17 year old superhero rode up the elevator until he reached the top floor.
The doors opened and inside was Emmanuel, Chris, Sofia, Laetitia and….Standish.
Standish was in the room with Sofia having a tight grip on his shoulder. He looked sullen like he really didn't want to be here.
Peter was gobsmacked at the sight. He was not expecting this, at least not so sudden.
"Hello, Peter, do come in. As you can see, we have company" Sofia said with a big smile.
"I can see that. I wasn't expecting this so fast. What happened?" Peter asked in a curious tone.
"We...ran into John after school and convinced him to come and talk to us" Emmanuel said, hesitating at the first part of his sentence, as if choosing his words carefully.
John just scoffed at this.
"Riiiiiiiiight" He sneered, remembering full well a black car drove up beside him with 2 Abstergo guards placing a bag over his head and shoving him into the car as he was walking home.
Sofia's grip tightened, causing him to cringe and then shut up.
"O….k. So...have negotiations started?" Peter asked.
"Not yet, we wanted you to be here with us. Besides, we have to go over some arrangements for the next few days" Sofia said.
"Now that you're here, we can get started. Come on everyone" Laetitia said, gesturing them all towards the meeting room.
In the room where they had their meeting about John last night, Sofia led John to a chair. He sat down in a grumpy manner. He really didn't want to be involved in another Templar/Assassin affair.
When everyone was settled in, Sofia got down to business.
"So, John...how's school going?" Sofia asked, trying to lighten the mood with small talk.
"Fine. Would be better if you people got off my back" He said, glaring.
Sofia just gave a sigh. She was sort of expecting this but she had hoped to avoid it.
"John...we know who you are and more importantly what you are. You know our group has been trying to get your attention for years" Sofia said softly, trying to reason with him.
"I'm well aware. I may be young but I still have vivid memories of my past lives" John said with a glare.
"Do you now? Then you must know that the Assassins will then do everything in their power to kill you. That's been your history with them, hasn't it? You were born so therefore, you must die and what do they do? They kill you" Sofia retorted.
"Only because YOU keep on tailing me at every turn" John said, not easing on his glare.
Sofia just gave a sigh and rubbed her forehead.
"Listen, John. We are a secret organization built on producing a society built on order and peace. With that, we need certain resources...the Observatory at this moment is one of our top priorities. You and I both know you are the only one who can access it" Sofia explained, trying to remain rational.
John said nothing to this fact.
"Surely you must agree with our viewpoint somewhat. As we recall, you were one of us for a time. Francois-Thomas Germain. Grandmaster of the French Rite of the Templar Order for a short period until 1794 when you were assassinated by Arno Dorian, the French Assassin" Sofia said, raising an eyebrow.
John was silent until he nodded. "Yes, that's correct"
"So then help us, John. Help us get into the Observatory. Help us use its power for the improvement of the world as a whole" Laetitia said.
John silently laughed.
"What makes you think I care about your little war? That I want anything to do with this? What's stopping me from running out of this room right now and jumping off the balcony?" John asked, getting up in a hostile manner.
Sofia snapped her fingers and two Abstergo officers came in and guarded the door to the room.
John looked back and silently huffed at the two guards. He slowly sat back down.
"Even you must be tired of this endless charade you're going through, John. Dying over and over and over again with your life cut short at such a young age? It's happened how many times now? Don't you want for once in your many lives a life of peace? To grow old and die peacefully in your sleep instead at the end of a blade?" Sofia asked, switching to bargaining mode.
John looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "What exactly are you proposing?"
"In exchange for your help, we're offering you sanctuary from the Assassins at a secret base where you will be sheltered and protected for the rest of your current life" Laetitia answered.
"Indeed. There you will be able to continue any research you're conducting and any projects you wish to start up" Sofia said.
"In solitude, I imagine?" John asked.
"Well unfortunately yes but it's not like you'll be placed in a cage. Just an island base where you'll get plenty of fresh air, natural food, pure water and plenty of exercise" Sofia answered John.
"Hold on, won't John's parents have an issue with this?" Peter asked, curious.
"I don't have any parents. Not anymore at least. My dad was a bumbling drunk. Walked out when I was 2. My mom died when I was 10. With no other relatives, I was shipped off to an orphanage a week later and it turns out there's not much demand for 10 year olds with little social skills" John answered, not seeming phased by the fact.
Peter winced, relating deeply to what John just revealed.
"Sorry" Peter said. John just waved it off.
"No bother to me" Was all John said on the matter before the meeting carried on.
"Do these terms sound agreeable to you?" Sofia asked.
"...Alright. Yes...they do. I guess having a simple life away from these….things will be a nice change of pace for me" John said.
"Things?...You mean the Assassins?" Peter asked.
"No….humans. I hate those things...including myself at the moment" John said, gesturing to his own body.
"Alright then...that takes anti-socialness to a whole new level" Peter declared. John was becoming more and more of an interesting character.
"Just one other thing" John said, holding up a finger.
Sofia raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"...I want to speak to my wife" John declared.
Everyone in the room apart from John looked at each other in confusion before looking back at John.
"I beg your pardon?" Sofia asked.
"Do not pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about. My wife is buried deep within your servers. I've been trying to create a program that will let me bypass Abstergo's numerous firewalls and security measures put in place so that I can talk to her but nothing's worked. The only way I can speak to her is directly through the Abstergo Interface. I miss her...I want to speak to her again...I haven't in so long. This is my demand. Provide it and I'll do what you ask. If not, forget it" John said, making his demand known.
Sofia and Laetitia looked at each other. After a sort of facial conversation with each other, they both just nodded at each other.
"Alright, John...we'll provide you with this...but first, you must give us access to the Observatory" Sofia said.
After a long while, John nodded.
"Very well...it won't matter in the long run anyway what you do with it anyway with the future my wife has in store for this world...I'll get you in" John declared.
Peter leaned in to Chris' side and whispered to him "You have any clue what this guy is talking about?"
Chris just shrugged and shook his head.
Peter just mouthed 'Ok'. Probably was best not to question this declared almighty Sage...and possible psychopath.
"Excellent. Now me must plan our trip" Sofia said.
"Trip?" Peter asked.
"Yes...we're leaving for Miami tomorrow and then taking a boat ride to the Observatory the next day. We told you we would be taking a trip, Peter" Sofia said with a big smile.
"Oh, yeah. I remember. I just never got around to telling my aunt" Peter said, nervously.
"That's not an issue at all. We prepared something for you" Sofia said, passing Peter a piece of paper from Across the table.
Peter took the paper and read it. It was a sort of flier for a science convention for the weekend in Miami, Florida. It would be used for an opportunity for college credit.
"Alright then. I'm still not 100% sure how she'll feel about this but I guess this should explain it...what if she asks about how sudden it is?" Peter asked. He didn't really feel good about lying to his aunt about something like this but he guessed under the circumstances of the group he was working for, it was somewhat necessary.
"We just found out ourselves" Sofia said, shrugging but smiling in a knowing manner.
Peter thought about this for a few moments before nodding. "Understood. I'll be sure to convince her"
"Good. Guys, we are on the verge of changing this world for the better. Of building a world without corrupiton, secrets or lies. Soon, the power of the Observatory will be ours. Unless anyone has anything else, I call this meeting adjourned. May the Father of Understanding Guide Us" Sofia said, standing up and placing her hand of her chest as she said her last sentence.
"May the Father of Understanding Guide Us" The rest said, following suit (Albeit Peter and John).
Peter just awkwardly stood up as well and just stood still for a second. John just sat down.
"Come on, Peter. If you want to be a Templar, you have to join us in things like these" Emmanuel said to Peter, kind of chastising him but smiling nonetheless.
"Yes, come on Pete. Just say it" Chris said, encouraging him.
"Ok...May the Father of Understanding Guide Us" Peter said, repeating after them, placing his hand on his chest.
"Excellent. Peter, meet us here tomorrow at around 10 in the morning if you please. There, we'll take a private jet to Miami" Sofia said.
"Just think of it as a belated summer vacation" Laetitia joked.
"Yeah, something like that" Sofia chuckled.
"Yeah...thanks for that" Peter said, smiling softly at them.
John rolled his eyes and shook his head. When he was a Templar, they were insufferable but not this insufferable.
"Alright. I think that ends it for tonight. Have a good night everyone" Sofia said and the meeting was adjourned.
Everyone stood up. After saying goodnight to Emmanuel and Chris, Peter left the room down the elevator.
Despite his uneasy attitude, he felt better than he had in months. He felt like he finally belonged to something, like he finally wasn't alone. Plus, it seemed like he was with the good guys with these Templars. Maybe if he got this device from this Observatory place, they'd offer him membership though that was up in the air.
There were a lot of unanswered questions going through Peter's mind but there was one thing that was for sure: Things were about to get a lot more interesting.