"Are you ready for school?!" A voice exclaimed, calling upstairs.
"Yes, I am." A voice replied reluctantly. "Not looking forward to it." The other voice spoke in a melodramatic tone.
"It's your first day of high school! Be excited, don't believe all the stereotypes from my generation. Don't let that bring down your option before you go."
"It's not that I miss Peter. Wish I was going to his school." A three-year younger Mary Jane Watson proclaimed, rolling her eyes, walking downstairs.
Aunt Anna rolled her eyes back. "Come now, surely you'll make better friends. Your a wonderful young girl. May is a wonderful lady who's doing the best possible job with that young man along with her husband. Not even their combined effort can mould him into someone that remarkable to be your best and only friend! You can do better! I know you can and will."
"Maybe more." She spoke softly under her breath.
Anna checked Mary Jane's hair and kissed her forehead. "You're so beautiful. Got your looks from your mother, no doubt. Perhaps a little from myself?" She said.
"No doubt, I got all my beauty from you, Aunt Anna."
"Oh, Mary, your so sweet. Couldn't be prouder of the woman you will become. Rather already are. We should be heading out, I'll be right there. Wait for me outside, please."
She went outside her door to find Peter and Ben Parker in their car. Which brought a surprise smile across her face.
"Surprised to see you two." She said.
"Are you really, Mary?" Ben asked, smiling.
"No." She laughed. "You boys are sweethearts."
"Peter was missing you already. We're still quite early. His school starts a little later than yours." He said kindly.
Peter's face got red. "I-I really didn't, Uncle Ben, I merely stated in passing perhaps she might like some friendly faces before leaving."
"I'm thrilled to see you both. Means, I'll surely have a good day ahead of me." She chirped, smiling at them. "I should get in the car. Have a good first day Peter and you too, Mr. Parker."
"Back at you, Mary! Your school is in for a pleasant start with your glowing heart. Do you have anything to say, Peter?" He turned to his nephew, cheekily.
"What he said. And I'm going to miss you a ton!" He said awkwardly, fiddling with his glasses.
"As will I. Bye, you two." She said, waving at them as they drove off.
Back in the present-day, Peter had hopped onto the bus was Mary Jane heading to her new school and this final year at his. Having her, no doubt, would bring even more changes then already expected. Unclear, if Gwen and Harry were on speaking terms, heck unclear if he was with Harry, MJ joining effecting the dynamic they had and possible Liz Allen fallout. Safe to say, a lot would be on his plate socially. Academically was always a breeze and not a worry in the slightest bit.
"Excited for today?" Peter asked.
She looked out the window. "Yeah, sure. Mostly just shocked by getting a new route. Never saw this part of the city."
"I've seen so many parts of NYC." He said silently, glouding.
MJ then gave him a telling look of not being impressed. Then Peter continued. "Offering again to give you some sightseeing one of these days. Swinging away, the city can be quite peaceful. Not to mention, practicing carrying someone around could help me save a life."
"True." She said smirking. "Nice save."
"Thank you." He replied back, cheekily.
"How much longer till we're there?" She asked.
"Surprised to hear you ask," Peter said, shaking his head.
"I'm not asking like an impatient person on a long ride, I just want to know what kind of timing to expect. Could I go on my phone, ask more questions about what I'm expecting here? What?" She asked.
"Well, we've been on the bus for 15 minutes after some walking to get here, so I'd say we're pretty close. This ride is fairly quick, trust me, if we took the next bus, the time would be doubled, and this place would be full." He explained.
"Not really an answer," MJ remarked slyly.
Peter nodded. "Fine. 6 more minutes. You don't want to get surprised by how long this bus trip is? Found it fun calculating the routes, times and typically amount of people."
"Bet you do that as Spidey too, huh?" She asked, whispering.
"Yep, like feeling as if I know how the city is doing. Might be strange, ah heck I liked it even before swinging away." He replied, whispering back.
"Never mentioned it before."
He shrugged. "Never came up before."
"Fair enough." She replied.
Peter readjusted himself in the seat. "Okay, so I'm not sure if or what to say now. Apart from when we actually get to school." He said.
"Alight." She replied.
They waited along the bus read for a few more minutes, just like Peter said, and both saw Midtown.
"Here's our stop!" Peter exclaimed, letting her get off first.
"This is the school I've heard so much about." She said as Peter got off the bus.
"Bingo. Not the fanciest school, but I like it. Sure, you will too." He said, trying to sound upbeat while not being entirely truthful. Liking Midtown, for instance, felt like a breeze before getting spider-powers and still felt like it somewhat lesser in some classes. Anything requiring the use of energy was improved but never shown off too much.
"Wonder if Flash might give you a wedgy, with old Parker luck?" She remarked playfully as they approached.
"Wedgies?" Peter asked, scoffing. "Nobody has wedgies around here, we've got a rough anti-bullying policy. Unless it's outside of school. Or outside the teacher's view. Which happens a lot. No wedgies though, not any since the sixties, I'd bet. Maybe the latest, earlier 2000's?" He joked.
"Don't jinx it." MJ joked back.
They walked into the courtyard. It was packed with people happy to see each other.
"As you can see, lots of people go here," Peter said, leading her towards the inside, trying to avoid people who lacked the ability to pay attention.
He then saw Gwen Stacy near the doors, and she noticed them. "Hey!" She exclaimed, nearly drowned out by all the other people talking, playing and etc.
"Hey, back!" He said, approaching with MJ.
"It's wild having Ms. Mary Jane Watson here. Never thought that would happen in a million years. Thought you playing around when you told me." Gwen said.
"I'm really here, seems as busy as I'd suspected. Nice to say you again, Gwen." Mary Jane said.
She nodded. "Yeah, been a while. Last time Peter had a birthday party. Which was two years ago?"
MJ nodded as well. "Didn't have one this year either. Tried his best to make me forget it even was his birthday!" She exclaimed.
"I personally just didn't feel like birthday parties were necessary. I'm a grown man now." Peter said dismissively. Hoping to drop the subject.
"Whatever, have you seen Harry?" Gwen asked with concern filling her voice.
Peter shook his head. "No, I didn't."
"Crap worried he might be skipping." She said, lowing her voice.
"Highly unlikely, not like our friend at all!" Peter exclaimed.
"You know he's acting off lately." She said.
He shrugged. "Your right, but let's not bring down MJ's arrival. I'm sure he'll be here. I'm positive about it. How about we show her around?" Peter suggested.
Gwen nodded reluctantly while turning to Mary Jane.
"Come on," Gwen said, opening the door for her, smiling.
The three of them went inside.
Elsewhere, Norman Osborn sat inside his office at Ozcop, hard at work, before his secretary called.
"Mr. Osborn. Adrian Tomes is here to see you, claims it's important and has a lawyer present." They said.
Norman sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Be right there." He replied, hanging up and locking his computer with his face. New, highly expensive and advanced tech.
Walking towards the respantion, he could see, as said, Adrian Tomes with a cane with another person who looked like a lawyer.
"Osborn." He snarked under his breath.
"What do you want now? Should I call for security?" He asked, looking at them.
The other man spoke. "We're here over the wrongful termination of my client."
"Of course, come into this meeting room." He said, leading them, glancing over at one of his bodyguards who followed.
They sat down.
"Adrian, we've been over this. You committed a crime. Harassment claims. Do you honestly think you'd convince me to reinstate you after that? Especially with your felony lawyer who has dirty shoes and looks as if he took out a loan for that suit. Or bowered from a friend? My point being, any true Lawyer, would dress better and not come here with his client, instead of going through the proper channels. Your lucky I don't report this man for impersonating a lawyer." He said smoothly.
The older man's mouth nearly dropped. "I was framed, dammit! After all these years and all my hard work. I figured you'd have guessed that!"
"You continue to say you're got framed, and yet you won't say who did it or provide any proof," Norman replied calmly.
"For all I know, you did this!" He snapped.
Norman shook his head, aggravated. "Poor assumption. Getting closer to throwing you out." He replied.
"You took my firing and began using my technology to cannibalize all of it, turning what was meant to help people fly more advanced, perhaps even become a new sporting event of gilding with more precision. The dreams of jetpacks with more practical use, you took that and turned it into military-grade weapons! Putting damn missiles, guns, blades into it. Intending to cause harm upon the world! For what profit? I try to fight against it, and I'm out of the blue, a harassing monster!" He exclaimed.
Norman sat back and nodded. "Your right, I've been warping your life's work. Come on, it wouldn't have served any purpose. Who the hell would want to fly with these oversized wings for fun? The military was eager to give us billions for this tech. Losing you and the prototype has been detrimental to these grand ambitions. Profit keeps this company afloat, thousands of jobs. Working people. If you'd have cared more about the money, you would've got a real lawyer and been able to fight those apparent false claims. I hoped you prove your innocence and gain the sense to come back, but I see both are fictional realities. Get out." Norman said, leaning forwards with a stern face and angered eyes.
Adrian got up with his fake lawyer and let. "This isn't the end of this!" He exclaimed.
Norman didn't respond.
"I've got nothing else to lose." He muttered.
Later in the day, back with Peter, he had met up with Mary Jane and Gwen again. They collectively went to the outside of the school, chatting about their day and confused by still not seeing Harry.
"Where is he!" Gwen exclaimed.
"Not a clue. This isn't good. Now I'm getting your worries." Peter said, biting his nails.
"Perhaps it's her superpower." Joked Mary Jane.
"Crappy power. I'd want super intelligence." Gwen replied.
"Really?" Peter asked.
Gwen shook her head. "No, being funny. At least tried. Wouldn't mind being able to manipulate the fabric of the universe."
Peter's eyes widened. I got cheated out of that. "Wow. Nice. I'd want the same." Peter said, nodding his head.
"I'd want to be like Spider-Man. He seems cool. Or Iron Man. He's for sure better." She said, glaring at Peter.
He gave back a face that said how he felt well enough. Ouch. That comment had hurt him more than any villains faced off against as of now.
"Anyways, should head on home. Don't want MJ to come home late. Her Aunt might kill me, so if you don't see me again, get your dad to dig up the backyard." Peter said with a goofy face turning to Gwen.
"Haha. I'm laughing so much." She replied. "Call when you find out what the heck happened with Harry?"
"Yeah, of course. Going to have to march down there and figure out why he didn't come. I'm gonna be so exhausted this year, more than last. I can feel it."
Mary Jane nudged Peter. "I'm sure you'll be fine. I'll whack you upside the head if you doze off at all."
"Hurtful."
"Think you can handle it, big guy."
She and Gwen laughed.
"Oh, no. You're teaming up against me already? Didn't see that one coming." Peter said, acting scared. "Oh crap, think I hear the bus. Gotta go!" Peter and MJ chased after the bus.
Gwen stayed behind, waiting for her father to pick her up, as he always did once school started back again. During the wait, she observed Liz Allen all over some new guy, must have been new to the school. Along with that, was a jealous Flash Thompson looking over at them with his arms crossed and his friends telling him something unknown. George Stacy rolled up and swung open the passenger door. "You wishing to go home today?" He asked sarcastically.
"Maybe. Might live here so I can get my work down easier." She replied, rolling her eyes.
She got in, closed the door and placed the seat belt around her. Safety always.
"How was your first day returning?" He asked, starting to drive away.
"Fine enough, didn't get up to very much. The first day after all. Harry Osborn was missing, which was unusual."
"Missing your ex?" He said naggingly.
She glared at him. "Not related to him being my ex. As a friend, I'm concerned why he didn't show up today. The first days are critical, especially for the final year."
"Kind of you to worry. Perhaps he got a cold. Rotten luck like that can happen when you break up with sweethearts." Said George shaking his head.
"It was mutual. The breakup." Gwen replied.
"I'm aware. Giving you a compliment." He explained.
"An odd one," Gwen responded, puzzled.
"Sorry, your old man might be somewhat not as broken up about Mr. Osborn not being your boyfriend. Don't want to be rude, but might have a bias is all. Never liked that Norman fella." He explained back at her while she seemed to stop listening so much.
"How's Parker? And that Watson girl? I recall she's come to school now."
She went back to listening. "He's fine, and she seems nice enough."
"Not feeling too talkative, are you?" He asked.
"Well, not much to say. Really say as usual. All it seems to be. Never-ending." She muttered.
Mr. Stacy wasn't sure how to respond to that last comment, and it ended up quite awkward for the remainder of the drive.
At the penthouse owned by the Osborn's, Harry was fast asleep at home. He didn't intend to go to school on that first day, wasn't ready. In fact, he intended to ask his father to get him into a private school, likely would've made him overjoyed at that prospect. He felt like the public schools clearly weren't doing enough for him or else he'd been on Peter Parker's level of intelligence when it came to school. Social was another matter entirely.
The phone rang, and seeing it was his father, this made him wonder if he even should bother picking up. Could be calling to yell about him skipping the first day of all days. Or could be getting to yell about surely anything. Despite that fact he hardly yelled, Harry felt very much like his father did a ton. Reluctantly, knowing things would only get worse, he picked up the phone. And the ring was annoying.
"Hello?" He asked, trying not to yawn.
"Harry, I wanted to inform you I was hiring and sending down security personnel, so if when you return home, you find strange people guarding, you wouldn't panic." He said nonchalantly.
Harry's eyes raised. "Why would that be necessary? Are we in danger!?" He exclaimed, panicked, throwing on pants.
"No, you're safe. Just a hunch, safety precaution just in case. My worry comes from an old man who's likely near death's door, I'm positive it's nothing. Better to be safe with having a man with nothing to lose do something he'd regret." Norman said, showing the slightest bit of worry peeking through in his vocal tone.
"You're not making me feel safer, dad." He replied, rubbing his head.
"You should be on edge, but don't worry, what could that old man possibly do currently? Guards will be there soon. I have to stay at Oscorp right now. Sorry son. I love you. Stay away from windows."
"Their bulletproof reinforced windows," Harry replied.
"Then you have no reason to be worried. Damn, have to go." He hung up.
Harry laid on his bed, checking his phone, seeing the string of concerned messages from Peter and Gwen.
"Oh, brother." He muttered, putting the phone down.
Peter rode on the bus with MJ, heading back home. From her demeanour, she appeared to be satisfied by the day.
"How was your day?" He asked.
"Meh."
"Meh?"
She nodded. "Wasn't much, what can I say? From how this whole changing your school seemed like it would bring the end of the world."
"I'm not that overly reativeactive," Peter replied.
"You sure about that?" She replied, glancing at him knowingly.
"On rare occasions. Maybe." Peter said sarcastically, knowing what was being said to be correct, but also something that he'd personally like to admit.
"How was your day?" MJ asked.
"Same as you. Figured I'd get some crap from Flash or Liz. Or really anyone. Always have at the start of every year from Flash, at least." Peter replied, screeching his head.
MJ shrugged. "Staying off their radar must be good. Right?" She asked, confused.
"I'll sound dumb, oddly I appreciated the attention a little bit. Least, I knew my standing around the school as a regular old loser is intact. Now, after I kinda pissed off Liz when she'd have needed me or really anyone to support her, I've been busy. Feel like she's furious at me, liked it better when I didn't matter." Peter explained, looking down.
"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. If only I got a dollar every time I said that." MJ wondered aloud.
"And one every time I didn't listen," Peter added.
"True. You don't like listening." MJ replied.
"Not true and hurtful. I'm just selective with my listening." Peter said smirking.
"Well then, I hope what I say next will be selective then smart guy." She said jokingly.
Peter's face turned to a goofy look of panic.
The bus continued down the road, as they continued to be playful with one another.
Adrian Toomes tinkered away at his apartment, of which he was going to get evicted from reasonably soon, as he had no income. All that was left was his wings. The project he worked his whole life on. The most advanced wingsuit on the planet. Formerly, he got to keep his prototype. Oscorp however, was building their own designs, his livelihood. It was disrespectful for all he tried to accomplish, now he stared at them. Now having weapons attacked, including machine guns and razzered wings that could cut through almost anything. Deadly weapons were all he was left with. All he wanted was to create an invention that could help people move more efficiently. Turning them into weapons of war couldn't be accepted. Now he had a new goal. New mission.
He put on his harness. Preparing for takeoff and planning to strike Oscorp at night. Until then, practice would be needed. Assaulting a building wouldn't be an easy task, even if it would be nearly empty. Finally, he put on his breathing mask, knowing from here on, his life wouldn't be the same taking off.
Flying was a wonderful feeling. He wanted this for years. Now an old man, able to see the city he lived in for his whole life, felt invigorating and somewhat stressful. Being up high and moving as fast as he did wasn't an easy task, to say the least. This feeling was the best of his life overall, made everything worth it. Oscorp. Osborn and his board wouldn't take this away from him. Framing him for something he didn't do. In his eyes, he was the misunderstood hero of his story that was only beginning.
Thank you all for reading, as always (:
And now another classic foe is making his presence known. Happy to finally bring in Vulture. I always planned from day one almost 3 years ago for his appearance at this point. Amazing to me how much I've expanded my ideas since then. You will all see what I mean in the future. A lot of what's going to happen is set-up for bigger payoffs. So it's just exciting for me beginning that process for all these big payoffs coming down the road. More payoffs coming soon with other stories I've set up, which also excites me. As a writer, I'm more of a long game type, which seems to be a bit of an issue for some, which I understand. I can only hope that reading this closer together without the breaks would improve the storylines. Sorry for rambling.
Jk, more rambling. Send help.
I want to recommend another writer's Spider-Man story if anyone is interested. ShadowStrike234.They're currently doing a pretty great story, and I think many who read this would enjoy it too. Or possibly even more. I personally enjoy it more then my own in many aspects *sweats nervously* Seriously, I do highly recommend and on top of that, they are able to get more words down faster. Along with having big plans for a universe, it would seem.
That's all I've got to say this time.
Stay safe, and well everyone. Best wishes.