Author's Note: I'll keep this one short since there isn't much to say about this one. This is possibly my longest chapter yet since we'll be getting to the bigger stuff soon. Hope you readers enjoy!

The next day, Peter decided to meet with Mary Jane to get some things off his chest. Between losing Harry's friendship for no reason and her supposed infatuation with Fred, there had to be some sensitivity involved or else this too could blow up in his face.

Soon as their texting conversation about meeting at the Silver Spoon ended, Peter swung his way to the middle of Queens where the diner was located. As per usual, he changed by throwing his street clothes over his spider suit and traversed around the corner to the Silver Spoon where MJ was just finishing up her latest shift. Despite uneasy feelings, he could hardly wait to see her. The bell rang as soon as he walked through the door, signaling MJ in her uniform - in which she couldn't have been more of a doll - from behind the counter as she compiled her last pile of bused dishes. Smiling at him, she waved, turned to pick up her sign out sheet, which she signed and set aside. As Peter took a seat at the second table away from the door, MJ snatched her coat from the rack and threw it on over her clothes. Without speaking a word, she mosied up to the table to sit across from him, eager to hear what he had to tell her.

"Still worked up over yesterday, Tiger?" MJ asked of concern.

Peter sat there with a glum look on his face. Just thinking about it couldn't have made him more upset. "I still can't believe he said those things and to what purpose?" Peter asked, demanding an answer. "What was he hoping to accomplish by unfriending me in real life?"

In response, MJ gently moved her hand over on top of Peter's folded hands. "Nobody who unfriends somebody really knows what they're saying at the time," MJ empathized. "The best you can do is give it time and maybe he'll see it differently."

"You told me that already yesterday and… well, I just don't see how that'll help," Peter slumped lower.

"It will, Tiger. Trust me. Gwen and I used to have our little quarrels about who got to befriend who and whatnot and, well, Harry's story is different from ours. It's only natural for boys of his kind to feel neglected and left out at the oddest of times so, maybe when he comes back, you should be with him more," MJ explained, lifting Peter's spirits somewhat. "It'll work out in time, I promise."

"You say 'promise' like it's a big thing," Peter commented as if she didn't know how to keep it. "You sure you know what you're saying?"

"I do, Tiger."

"Well, that's the thing I wanted to get from you if that's okay."

MJ looked confused as if she didn't understand what he meant. "What do you mean?"

"I just need to know something… about the Mystery Gang and all… do you and Fred sort of…?"

"Sort of, what?"

"Like, would you happen to be… wanting to… see each other maybe?" he said. Personally, he couldn't have put it any other way.

"Whoa, Tiger!" she exclaimed sarcastically. "I don't think you got what he meant by our first exchange. Fred and I just… have an appreciation for each other is all. He was just surprised to find another redhead like me in Manhattan of all places; plus, he has a way with words if you ask me."

Peter couldn't believe it; this whole time, he thought maybe MJ had a thing for Fred just based on one exchange they had together. Why else would she continue to be nice to him if it meant the end of their relationship? "You… you really mean that… there's still an 'us' in the equation?"

"Of course, Tiger," she responded for the umpteenth time. "I've never had second thoughts about you."

"Thanks, MJ. I mean, without you, there'd be no 'us', right?"

"Ding! Ding! Ding! Give the man a prize!" MJ joked.

The two took then took each other's hands and looked into each other's eyes. This was the best they ever felt close to one another. Nothing could ever replace each other in their minds for all they knew.

Nighttime was when the Mystery Gang traditionally gathered for their nightly discussion regarding the current mystery at hand, and tonight was no exception. Having gathered around the table in the girl's hotel room once more, Mystery Inc. regrouped to discuss any and all aspects surrounding the current mystery at hand. More major events happened since after their recent Mysterio encounter, but still a lot more left them scratching their heads like who might have done it all. By this point, their conversation had gotten pretty serious.

"So from what all we know, it's not Prezette and the illusions Mysterio conducts involve technology he so clearly made himself," Velma concluded. "But then one question remains: Who is Mysterio and what is he planning with the Hex Girls?"

"It couldn't be Quentin Beck," Fred debunked. "The man seems to have too much time on his hands guarding the band from danger for all we know. He'd probably be the last person to suspect."

"Well, then who else could it be? Spider-Man?" Velma asked jokingly.

With a gulp, Shaggy exclaimed. "Zoinks! Not Spider-Man!"

"Anyone, but Spider-Man!" Scooby added anxiously.

"Well, I'll be honest, I do have my suspicions about the guy I've been keeping secret," Fred chimed in.

"And what would that be, Mr. Detective?" Daphne spoke up.

"He seems to know a lot about Mysterio; more than we know," Fred started adjusting his ascot. "And almost every time he appears whenever Mysterio's attacking. One thing we do know is that Mysterio specializes in illusion and so, if my observation is correct, Spider-Man could just be an illusion conjured up by Mysterio to lead us into a trap! It's simple!"

"Freddy Jones!" Daphne scoffed. "Why would a nice guy like Spider-Man be something standing in front of us that doesn't really exist?!"

"Just saying a trap guy like me knows when we're about to get trapped ourselves," Fred joked about his trap obsession. This left Velma in a state of folding her arms, dismayed.

"Well then, all traps aside, I think we can all agree that Spider-Man is real, correct?" Velma asked to which everyone nodded their heads in unison. "Good, well, if my observations are correct, there is one person who may yet have a connection to Spider-Man: Peter Parker."

"Like, you mean…?" Shaggy trailed off.

"My hypothesis isn't fully formed yet, but based on the fact that Peter's run off every time there's a crime in progress, those two could be working together somehow."

Daphne stopped to question reality itself based on the fact that she folded her fist around her chin. "What makes you certain of that?"

"Well, unlike Mr. Trap of the Week here, I have a keen sense of when something fishy's running amok right in front of us!" Velma snarked, giving Fred a somewhat demeaning look.

"Hey, now, Velma, I'm observant too!" Fred fired back. "Besides, there was one peculiar detail I noticed today about Peter yesterday."

"And what might that be, Fred?" Velma questioned his sanity almost.

"Spider-Man's suit; I saw it hanging out of Peter's bag," he noted recalling their previous somewhat awkward encounter from the day before. "No doubt he was going to deliver it to him or something of the like."

"Like, and that's not all," Shaggy added. "I hate to admit it, but, like, Peter busted through the door during our investigation yesterday like it was made of paper or something."

"Reah, and somehow he found that closet before I could sniff out Daphne myself," Scooby noted as if thinking Peter had Spider Sense or something crazy like that.

Awww, they were thinking of me, Daphne thought to herself.

"Finally, you two contribute something meaningful to the conversation," Velma sassed. "Anyways, all these clues could only point to one possibility…" Velma trailed off.

"Yes?" everyone perked up in unison.

"Peter Parker and Spider-Man…" Everyone leaned in closer. "...Could somehow be closely connected."

The rest of them backed off as if no longer intrigued. "You mean to tell me they couldn't even be the same person?" Daphne questioned, somewhat concerningly.

"I haven't fully thought that far yet. Besides, what use is there jumping to conclusions when you're so close to solving the mystery?" Velma humbly admitted.

"Well, you are right in that sense as it could ruin the surprise in a way," Daphne responded.

"So then what does this mean?" Fred asked, wondering if Velma would let him trap again after the last time he was so certain they wouldn't need to go about their usual tradition this time.

"I think before we trap Spider-Man and unmask him, we ought to do some further investigation," Velma said, playing into Fred's trap happy side. "Besides, we still don't know what his face looks like. So to figure that out should lead us one step closer to solving the larger mystery at hand."

"Guess this means it's time for me to pull out that best trap I've been saving for if we ever needed it," Fred said jumping up from his chair.

"Hold on, Mr. Trap Happy Pants," Velma halted him. "We need a plan for meanwhile since the Hex Girls can no longer continue their tour due to their absence."

Fred sat back down, bummed out that he couldn't get his trap date ready yet. "Right, the Hex Girls are still missing and we still don't have a plan for drawing out Mysterio with them much less finding out where they went."

"Come with me to the laptop. I have a plan!" Velma proclaimed, sparking everyone's interest. Shaggy, Scooby, Fred, and Daphne followed as she lead them to the sofa where they all gathered around in their traditional research position. With everyone gathered around Velma like usual - Daphne next to Velma on the computer with Shaggy directly behind her and Fred and Scooby staring over her other shoulder - she commenced a simulation of her plan she had already planned out. "The plan is simple; we ask those in Peter's life what all they believe he's up to half the time. This should give us clues as to his identity. Once that's done, we'll have three girls pose as the Hex Girls for the next makeup concert to lure Mysterio out into the open. Meanwhile, Fred, Shaggy, Scooby, and I will be in an alternative location trapping Spider-Man. It's foolproof!"

"Sounds like fun!" Fred exclaimed. "But then who's going to play the Hex Girls while they're away?"

"Daphne," Velma turned to her, sparking her attention. "You look most like Thorn of them all. I say you should be the lead singer while my friends, Gwen, and MJ will do backup."

Daphne winced at that last name. "You mean…?"

"Yep, I told her you have the perfect singing voice and that the girls look a lot like and are just as talented as the real deal!" Fred complimented Daphne, which still didn't get her attention.

"...Can I see you in private, Fred?" Daphne suggested yet again. This wouldn't have been the first time they really began to heat up.

"Sure thing, Daph!" Fred said as she followed him into the hallway leaving Shaggy, Velma, and Scooby to converse amongst themselves.

"So, like you were saying?" Shaggy asked her as if interested in hearing what all she had to say about him. To this, she just rolled her eyes, annoyed.

"I'm not doing the show with 'she who must not be named'!" Daphne exclaimed. "You still won't tell me whether you truly like her or not!"

"Easy, Daph," Fred assured her. "I kid you not, I haven't taken fancy in her at all."

"Oh," Daphne seemed rather relieved yet shocked at the same time. "Well, then explain the compliment you gave to her on our first day here!"

"That was literally a compliment to you, her, and all redheads, Daph. I'm trying to be all-inclusive here!"

"Well, then why am I not your first choice to compliment, Freddy?" Daphne enforced strongly on his nickname.

Fred nearly slumped in shame. "I didn't know you felt that way, Daph. Maybe I've been too blind to see it, but… you'd be perfect for the act!"

Not what she wanted to hear, but what reason did she have to be disappointed with a compliment like that? "Oh, am I now?" she asked somewhat snarkily.

"Yeah, you have the perfect singing voice to emulate Thorn's. Like that of an angel's! And your face and stature perfectly mimics her that many won't even be able to tell the difference!"

This change in behavior for Fred was almost flattering even though she was being compared to another girl still. "Well, now… I don't know what to say. Thanks, Fred, for the compliments!"

"Don't mention it. Now then, who's to say we can't make you look like Thorn for the act tomorrow?"

"I say, we can get in touch with the Hex Girls' makeup department and see what they have in store." Daphne suggested.

For a change, it seemed like all was well with the folks of Mystery Inc. Fred and Daphne defused an almost tense situation for the time being and it looked like the plan they had was very foolproof enough to even stump a deer trapper for all Fred knew. And who knew? Maybe he and Daphne were finally beginning to see on equal terms. This might have been the start of something new.

The next day, the Mystery Machine pulled up to Peter's house bright and early, the gang inside eager to ask some questions of Aunt May. Without wanting to go as far as interrogation, the gang (mainly Velma) wrote down some questions overnight that were intended to keep their mission subtle and secretive. They did not text Peter about their arrival as that would also keep them incognito about the task at hand. Hopefully, Peter wouldn't show up and potentially ruin the surprise.

As they strolled up to Peter's front porch, questions began to rattle off in Daphne's mind about what this could potentially do for her and the gang's relationship with Peter. Would it cause them trust issues? Would it mean the internship is over? What if Peter and Spider-Man were the same person and it would cause her to lose interest in fantasizing about being with Spider-Man?

She shoved those questions aside as Fred approached the doorbell and rang it fervently for Aunt May to come out. There was a nearly deadpanned silence at the door for a quick second before they heard somebody's footsteps inside.

"Ooh, that must be them!" Aunt May's voice came muffled through the door. No doubt she must have been talking to her nephew about their gang as obsessed as with them as he was. "Be right back!"

Almost immediately, Aunt May opened the door, phone in hand as she covered the speaker to prevent the caller on the other side from hearing their exchange.

"Oh, I didn't expect to see you bunch at this hour!" Aunt May delightfully greeted them. "How are you kids today?"

"We're grand, Aunt May!" Fred assured her, taking initiative and building into the conversation in a non-threatening way. "I trust you're doing just as well yourself?"

"Absolutely delightful, Edward!" she incorrectly referred to him. "But you can call me 'Mrs. Parker' or 'May' if you so choose."

"Well, in that case, call me 'Fred' 'cause that's actually my name," he corrected her.

"Goodness!" Aunt May held her chest in shock. "I don't know why, but you remind me of Peter's old childhood friend, Eddie. Surely it must be the build and the blond hair!"

"It's alright, ma'am. I get called lots of stuff by mistake. It runs in the family."

"Well, alright then! One moment, while I finish my call to my friend, Anna Watson."

With that, Aunt May shut the door, prompting the gang to wait further to ask Aunt May some questions. As Fred scratched his square chin and Daphne began tapping her high-heeled foot while Velma just stood there patiently, Scooby and Shaggy's stomachs naturally began to growl in unison.

"Like, I'm starved, Scoob," Shaggy grasped his barren stomach.

"Me too, Raggy," Scooby seconded. "Wonder if she's got any food."

Within a few seconds of their exchange, Aunt May came out through the entrance of her house once more to allow their company. "Thank you kids for waiting. Peter's still sleeping like he usually does on break days. Are you here to see him today?"

"Not today, May," Velma took lead of the conversation attempting to be rather forward while also indirect. "Our priorities have changed. We're here to ask you some questions for a school project."

"Well, if you have time, then come right in and sit down!" Aunt May welcomed them. "I'd be delighted to help you with your project just as you've helped Peter with his!"

Without a second to spare, the gang gathered around the living room seating, Aunt May almost feeling guilty for not providing treats or anything due to their uninvited visit. Still, this would have been enough of a thrill for Peter to have Mystery Incorporated step into his own house rather than just visit it and, for that, May was excited for her nephew. The anticipation to answer their questions may not have been as big as Peter's would have been, but it was still something for her to experience.

Along with the rest of them, Aunt May took her seat in preparation for their informal interview.

"So first off we were just wondering what all does you nephew do for a living?" Velma commenced the session, notepad and pen in hand as she slightly adjusted her glasses.

"Oh, who knows what he's doing in his free time!" Aunt May teasingly exclaimed. "He's nothing, but a high school junior at this point; always going out to events with his friends like that concert from the other night!"

"Typical," Velma snarked. "But we mean like a job. What all does he work?"

Aunt May assumed a think position; gracing her chin and shuffling through her memory, she tried to remember the various occupations Peter had undertaken in his young life. "He was once an intern at the Oscorp science labs on ESU campus, but that didn't go so well. As of now, though, he takes… well, pictures of Spider-Man to put in that Daily Bugle newspaper. If only that lousy editor would say nice things about him to show what supportive work Peter's put himself through."

The pictures of Spider-Man, of course! Velma thought to herself, recalling one morning she decided to actually pick up a newspaper and read the front page headline - "SPIDER-MAN STRIKES AGAIN!" Underneath those big bold letter sat an article that told the residents of New York all about how Spider-Man and Mysterio attacked the Hex Girls out of hatred for the band. The picture of Spider-Man was taken at an angle that no average human being could have gotten due to Spider-Man's fast and agile nature. It almost started to make sense even more than her first assumption.

This was no time to jump to conclusions yet, however.

Having heard what sounded like the voices of Mystery Inc. in his own house, Peter got up and threw on some clothes in order to take a peek as to what was going on. Slowly and cautiously, he tiptoed down the stairs to listen in and confirm whether it was real. Even though he possessed enhanced hearing, sometimes he still swore his hearing was playing tricks on him. Surely, this was a lucid dream Peter concocted in his mind, right?

Wrong. "So if he works at the Bugle then how's he getting the photos of Spider-Man?" the voice of Velma asked rather sure of herself.

"Like, May, our stomachs are rumbling over here," the voice of Shaggy resonated. "Like how much food you got?"

"Reah, me too!" This was undoubtedly the unusual voice of Scooby-Doo - no doubt his aunt was hearing it for the first time.

"Oh, goodness!" Aunt May exclaimed in revolt. "The dog talks! But, of course! Feel free to help yourselves to whatever's in the kitchen!"

"Like, thanks, Mrs. May!" Shaggy referred to her rather informally.

What did she invite them in for? Tea and cake? Peter thought rather concerningly as he joked to himself. Based on what he heard, however, it seemed like they were interviewing her, if not interrogating her for information on what he does. His Spider Sense didn't tingle like it usually did, but something told him his identity wasn't safe.

Suddenly, he heard movement and somebody's dress shoes and paws hitting the floor. No doubt, Shaggy and Scooby were walking en route to the kitchen - and taking the long way around the place for that matter. Not wanting to be seen and interrogated at this point in time, Peter decided to quickly and silently leap up high toward the ceiling above the stairwell. By use of his spider-like hairs, he stuck his hands and feet to the wall and ceiling surrounding him.

"Like, Scoob, did you hear that?" Shaggy asked, possibly due to the resonance of Peter's whoosh as he leaped out of sight.

"Nah, you're just hearing things," Scooby reassured him, his dog hearing probably not serving him the best in the moment. To that, Peter breathed a sigh of relief.

However, there was still the fact that they were interviewing his aunt on his life he had to worry about. It wasn't like he could just walk in and tell them to leave like he did when he was little and Aunt May and Uncle Ben's house guests were staying too late for him to go to bed. Then again, if he tried anything, he would draw too much attention to himself and get interrogated himself. So for the time being, he decided to listen attentively to both Velma and Fred's interviewing process and Scooby and Shaggy's gobbling of whatever food they decided to make in his aunt's kitchen. Daphne, meanwhile, seemed to be sitting there quietly probably fantasizing about being in Spider-Man's arms once more.

Following the five question interview Velma had planned for Aunt May, the readings she recorded all seemed to be converging toward the possibility of Peter Parker and Spider-Man being the same entity. She did not, however, want to announce it in front of everyone at Aunt May's house if it meant drawing unwanted attention from the street residents to themselves. Plus, even though she had the strong assumption that it was true, she had yet to fully analyze her findings for herself.

"That wasn't so bad trying to get answers from Aunt May, but can you imagine if, in some miraculous fashion, that she knows something of this?" Daphne put out there for the sake of giving her input to the previous engagement.

"Nonsense, Daph!" Fred reassured her. "We don't know for sure so why should she?"

"Yeah, but even I see it in Velma's eyes. They could be-"

Suddenly, Daphne found herself cut off by a voice calling out to them from the adjacent house. "Hey, guys! What are you up to here?"

They all turned around together to find the most unexpected surprise - it was Mary Jane Watson working in her garage on her motorbike. They initially had no idea that Peter and MJ were next door neighbors, but seeing this was undeniable proof of such. Almost immediately, Daphne folded her arms, trying her absolute best to appear fine as MJ waved to them happily.

"Mary Jane! Like, what a pleasant surprise!" Shaggy waved his greasy, food-covered hand and gave the first remark, much to Daphne's relief.

"What are you doing here?" Fred asked, not knowing of her status as Peter's girl next door.

"I live here, silly!" MJ teasingly remarked. "My motorbike wouldn't just be in any old stranger's garage now, would it?"

Hearing this, Fred agreed, while Daphne tried not to say anything. "But, of course!" Fred finally professed, not knowing where to take the conversation from there.

Good news was that Velma willed to step in and continue the conversation in a meaningful way. "And what a pleasant surprise too! You're just the person we need to see right now."

"Your's is just as pleasant, Velma," she said twisted a wrench to tighten a bolt before setting it down. She then took a rag nearby to wipe off her oily hands and stood to approach and stand in front of them much to Daphne's dismay. "So then what's the occasion with you guys?"

"Like, we were just visiting the Parker residence next door to see… if Aunt May had some… cookies for us to sell," Shaggy lied, remaining incognito with the mission they were undertaking.

"Since when did you guys get into selling cookies?" MJ continued upon the conversation.

"It's a long story," Velma said, piggybacking on Shaggy's deception, somewhat irritated that they weren't getting to the point. "Anyways, we did have a question to ask you."

"Oh, and what's that?" MJ assumed a rather curious position, noting Daphne's disinterest.

"Since the Hex Girls have gone missing, we were wondering if you'd be willing to pose as one of them while we search for them ourselves," Velma finally got to the point.

With an eager smile, MJ nodded in absolute agreement without a doubt in her mind. "Are you kidding?! That would be a dream come true for both me and Gwen!" she chortled in her joy. "Can I be Luna?! I know how to play the keyboard and everything!"

"Oddly enough, we were just about to ask you that," Velma confirmed. "You both have the red hair, complexion, and musical talents so it makes perfect sense!"

"Then, yes! Yes! YES!" her fangirl excitement continued, almost freaking everybody out. "I'll go ask Gwen and see if she wants to play Dusk!"

"Already on it, sister," Velma assured her good friend. "Meanwhile, Daphne here will play Thorn."

MJ turned to Daphne, the two seeing eye-to-eye for what seemed to be the first time. "Will you now?"

Daphne's eyes widened. The 'Mary Jane girl' she so commonly referred to as was now staring right into her purple irises, searching deep into her soul for an answer that, if she found even a hint of jealousy, would probably stir her away. Would she take the opportunity to have a friendly conversation or would she release her pent up emotions about what seemed to be nothing?

"Well, yeah," she finally said after what seemed like an eternity of actually interacting with MJ.

"Boy, do you have the looks for it!" MJ complimented. This is exactly what Fred told her before. Perhaps it wasn't just him after all. "All you need is a wig, guitar, and the singing practice and we'll have ourselves a new Thorn!"

Daphne half smiled at this surprising compliment of her's. For a brief moment she seemed to forget all about her pent up jealousy she harbored for her and almost began to admire her expertise on Hex Girls fashion. She may not have held her and Velma's superfan status, but she certainly like the band herself.

"Thank you, MJ," Daphne said somewhat annoyed. Her patience was wearing thin, but certainly not because she wouldn't stop talking.

"No problem," MJ said with a smirk, laying a hand on her shoulder. "I encourage you to go get 'em!"

MJ smiled, prompting Daphne to force a smile back to her. In that moment, something was different, but she couldn't quite put her dainty finger on what.

Later on, back inside the hotel room, Velma had already contacted Gwen via video chat once more.

"So the Hex Girls went missing, you know, and the only remaining option for them to continue their tour is for someone to pose as them while we find them," Velma iterated, sparking her bestie's interest. "So I must ask if you'd be willing to pose as Dusk while Daphne and MJ are Thorn and Luna respectively."

Gwen hardly gave it a second thought. "Are you kidding? Yes! Yes! YES, I'll do it!"

"Jinkies! And MJ says she'll be Luna! I look forward to you both performing!"

"Us too!" Gwen remarked prior to changing subjects. "Question: why do you say 'jinkies' so much?"

"Oh, it's just a joke that runs in my family," Velma explained reminiscing her childhood. "I tried saying my full name, 'Velma Dinkley', at age four and it came out sounding like 'Velma Jinkies'. It stuck ever since and now I use it as a catchphrase."

"That's awfully cute and funny of you, Velma," Gwen complimented.

"Awww, thanks, best friend!"

And so, without further adieu, an alternate plan was set in motion.