(A/N: I do not own Assassin's Creed or Spiderman. That right belongs to Ubisoft and Sony).
Peter packed the next morning. He didn't go crazy. He just packed a change of clothes, some swim trunks in case he went swimming (He was kind of excited about that as being a New Yorker didn't give a chance for beach dwelling), some toiletries, etc.
His Aunt May wasn't entirely supportive of this but she saw how much it meant to him so she figured she would let him go. He was getting to an age where he could take care of himself anyway.
"Just what will you be doing at this convention anyway, dear?" May asked as she examined the flier Peter gave her. She raised an eyebrow at the sudden-ness.
"Oh, you know, just looking at some really cool scientific initiatives going on, maybe see some demonstrations, stuff like that" Peter said. He didn't like lying May about this kind of stuff because she knew how worried she could get but in this case it was necessary for him to do so. This was becoming too important. He felt like he was part of a family again.
"Hm...and why didn't you tell me about it earlier? I know you've been busy and all but I would've thought you've told me about this sooner. Maybe I wouldn't be so fidgety about it like I am now" May said. She knew her old-lady instincts were kicking in here but she couldn't help but have some doubts over this.
"I'm sorry, aunt May. Emmanuel and Chris just heard about it yesterday. They know I'm a science geek and they're kind of science enthusiasts too so they figured this can be something we can do together" Peter explained.
"Well...I guess it seems ok. Those two do seem awfully nice young men. You're sure you want to go?" May asked.
"I do, aunt May. I really do" Peter said. May could easily tell he hadn't been excited for something like this in quite a while.
"...Alright. Only because it seems to mean so much to you. Are you feeling alright? Are you still tore up about the situation with Gwen?" May asked with sympathetic eyes.
Peter blinked a bit before looking at the ground, growing sad at the reminder.
"I'll be ok, Aunt May…Emmaunel and Chris are only trying to help me forget all about what happened and they're really good friends" Peter said, looking back up. His frown becoming a sad smile.
May let out a small smile as well before giving him a hug.
"Then by all means go...just promise you'll call when you get there? Please?" May asked.
"Of course, Aunt May. I will. Anyway, it's getting late. I'd better get there soon. I'll see you tomorrow night" Peter said, looking at his phone to see it was 9:30 and kissing his aunt on the cheek.
"Alright. Have fun! Be careful! Don't talk to any weirdos either! You know how absurd it in get in Florida" May said, recalling all the articles about the 'Florida Man' articles.
"It'll be fine, Aunt May. I'll call you later!" Peter said, making his way out the door.
"Bye, sweetie!" May said, waving at the door. While May was happy her Peter was smiling again, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of doubt at the back of her mind. However, because Peter really wanted to go, she let him go. What trouble could he possibly get himself into in a matter of a day anyway?
The elderly lady tried not to think about what she just thought as she drank a cup of coffee and read the morning paper.
*Rikkin Penthouse, 20 minutes later*
The elevator beeped as Peter reached the top floor. As the door opened, Peter could see Emmanuel and Chris talking with each other, bags close at hand. He could see John sitting at a chair at the end of the room, staring out a window and not saying a word. Peter guessed he stayed the night. He did say he had no family after all. It was honestly kind of sad. Peter would have liked to go and talk to him but his friends kept him from doing so.
Emmanuel turned and saw Peter walking towards them.
"Hey Pete! Just in time. We were just getting everything ready" Emmanuel said.
"Indeed. We'll be taking a limousine ride to a private hanger at JFK airport. We'll then take a private jet to Miami" Chris explained.
"Wow, fancy" Peter said, kind of impressed.
"Having a rich mother has its perks" Chris said. He never did like to brag about his family wealth but that didn't mean he didn't enjoy it.
"I bet...so how's Mr. Sunshine and Rainbows over there?" Peter asked, gesturing to John.
They both looked to him and shrugged at each other.
"Eh, he's not the talkative type" Emmanuel explained.
"No, he isn't. Guess that's the nature of Sages, really" Chris said.
"I guess so" Peter said, looking at him.
As he was continuing to contemplate going and talking with him, Sofia and Laetitia came into the room, both dressed in business attire, looking ready to go.
"Ah, Peter! You're here! Perfect! I think we're all packed up and ready to go, are we not?" Sofia asked.
"I'm packed" Peter said, gesturing to his bag.
"So are we" Chris said as he and Emmanuel lifted up their bags.
"Great! John, what about you? You ready to go?" Sofia asked.
John rolled his eyes behind their backs and stood up. He turned to face them and nodded.
"Yeah, let's get this over with" John said, walking towards them.
"No need to be grouchy, John. I know we're not exactly on the best of terms at the moment but we at least have to work with each other" Laetitia said, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm only doing this so you people can get off my back and so that I can talk to my wife. You people have been nothing but a pain in my ass for centuries" John said, sending a stern look.
Laetitia sighed. "Aright then"
"Now, now. This is supposed to be a happy occasion. Despite any grievances, we're all allies. Let's act as such" Sofia said, trying to ease the tension.
"I agree. We're doing this for the sake of the people here. To rid the world of corruption, not for our own selfish gains" Peter said.
"Very well said, Peter. You're becoming more of a Templar every day" Sofia said, beaming at Peter.
"Thanks" Peter said, blushing, happy to hear that.
"Alright, I think we've had enough drama for today. Let's get going" Sofia said, excitedly. This was a big weekend for the Templars. Something that was centuries in the making.
They all went to the elevator and all rode down to the parking garage where a small limousine was waiting for them.
Once inside, Sofia instructed the driver to take them to their private hangar at JFK airport as Chris had said to Peter before.
Peter had to admit, he could get used to this new life if the Templars were to really welcome him into their group. Riding down New York City with his friends? There was little to nothing that could top this.
*Meanwhile, at the Silver Spoon*
The 3 girls were sitting at a table drinking coffee and discussing the next phase of their plan.
"So how did you guys get your parents to agree with you going away for the weekend?" Mary-Jane asked.
"I just told them I would be at your place, studying with you" Gwen said, taking a sip of her coffee.
"I told them I would be at Sally's having a slumber party. What about you, MJ?" Liz asked the redhead.
"Just told them I would be hanging out with Peter and maybe spend the night at his house, try to cheer him up. I told him we were just friends and he knows Peter isn't exactly a ladies man and is pretty shy and reserved. Plus he also lives with his elderly aunt so he was fine with it" Mary-Jane answered. The part about her trying to cheer Peter up caused Gwen to be momentarily struck with guilt for what felt like the millionth time this week.
"Well you could've fooled me with him not being a ladies man when we were together. Besides, him being Spiderman makes his hotness factor go up 10 times it was before" Liz said smirking, getting hot at the thought that she actually had kissed Spiderman at one point.
Mary-Jane mentally heaved. Gwen just did a side glance knowing their little feud as to who should end up with Peter after all this. She hoped Peter would forgive her for all that's happened. She wanted desperately for them to be together and wanted Peter to give her a chance to prove to him that she was a good choice for him and that she wanted to make up for all the lost time.
"Yeah...anyway, we're going to meet up at Harry's tonight, right?" Mary-Jane asked, trying desperately to change the subject.
"Ugh. Still can't believe we agreed to let that creep help" Liz said, wincing in disgust.
"We don't have a choice. He can get us fast travel to Miami on such short notice" Mary-Jane said.
"And I kinda think he is sorry for all that he did. I never heard that tone from him before" Gwen said, trying to stick up for her ex-friend (maybe soon again friend. She still wasn't sure).
"I think he's a bullshit liar and just a good actor. He sure as hell wasn't sorry when he sent Peter into a downward spiral into depression" Mary-Jane said.
Gwen couldn't deny that. She really didn't know how to approach the whole Harry scenario. For now, she decided that if she hopefully did end up together with Peter, she would go with whatever he decided at the moment. If he didn't want to talk to Harry anymore, neither would she. If he would give him another chance, she would as well.
"Well that may be true but I say we just put up with him for now" Gwen said to the both of them.
Liz shrugged. "Whatever"
"So are you guys prepared for this? If what that guy said is true, we could get seriously hurt from this" Mary-Jane said.
"I think so" Gwen said, nodding.
"Besides, what will they really do. We're teenagers" Liz said, shrugging off the possibility of them getting hurt.
"Hmm...I'm not sure" Mary-Jane said before taking another sip of coffee. If this Observatory was really so important, there was no telling what they'd do.
They continued planning for tonight as they desperately hoped to get their friend (And maybe more) back.
*1 hour later*
Peter was wrong. There was something that could top riding in a limousine with his friends in NYC. Riding in a first class private jet to Florida with his friends, leaning back in a leather chair drinking a champagne glass of cider, to be exact.
"Enjoying yourself, Pete?" Emmanuel asked from a seat across from him.
"I think so. You?" Peter asked, taking another sip from his glass.
"I am indeed. Love these plane rides" Emmanuel said, putting his arms behind his head, putting the recliner seat up.
"I can see why. Where's John?" Peter asked, looking around. He could see Sofia and Laetitia talking with each other and Chris was taking a nap in his seat but not the 'Almighty Sage' that was too good for humanity.
"In the back room, lying on the sofa" Emmanuel said.
"Hm...I guess he's still bummed about all this" Peter said, looking back at the door to the room Emmanuel referenced.
"Maybe but he knows we need him and he knows we'll pay him well so he's fine. He'll cooperate" Emmanuel said nonchalantly.
"Hey, Emmanuel...how exactly can John get us into the Observatory? I know he's a Sage and all and only Sages can access it but what exactly does he do to get in?" Peter asked, suddenly getting curious about the device they were seeking.
"According to legend, the blood of a Sage is required to enter the Observatory. A quick prick of the finger and we'll be able to get in" Emmanuel explained.
"Hmm...and how will we use the Observatory? How exactly does it work?" Peter asked.
Emmanuel thought for a moment on how to best explain this.
"Well...it kind of goes like this. We have these small glass cubes filled with the blood of important politicians, business people and others. The device will have an opening slot for those cubes. We just slide the cube in and we'll have complete access to their everyday lives. What they're doing, who they're talking with, everything. Sort of like a projector showing a movie or something alone those lines" Emmanuel tried to explain as best as he could. He only was describing what he saw through Animus simulations.
"That...sounds weird...and not very scientific" Peter said. He wasn't trying to be skeptical or anything but as a science geek, this didn't make sense to him.
"It doesn't sound like it but it is. We just don't understand how it works and likely never will. Humanity's more interesting than people know. We have a very fascinating origin story" Emmanuel asked.
"How so?" Peter asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well...let's just say it's a bit more complex than saying we evolved from fish...maybe another day. I kinda just want to relax right now if you don't mind" Emmanuel said, lying back in his seat and closing his eyes.
Peter shrugged. "Fair enough"
The 17 year old had to admit though, he was getting curious as to what all this was about.
Though it seemed that was a discussion for a different day as they were rapidly approaching their destination. Peter just looked out the window and just enjoyed the aerial view the US had to offer.