He had many names. Knight, Krang Subprime, Thomas Eddison, Morgana, Martin the Fourth, Adolf Hitler. That last one was a tad overkill when gathering test subjects, he'd admit it. But at least he wasn't as crazy as that Red Skull psycho.
There were so many names and so many roles Subprime had to take on in order to ensure the success of Kraang, but right now, the role of Irma may have been the most vital to the plans of Kraang. Constantly monitoring the progress of the one known as April O'Neil. It was one of the more subtle and delicate roles he's been given, and one that was necessary given her genetic makeup.
At first it was just a bag and grab for the baby, until the Military got involved. Personally he blamed Bishop, the crafty bastard always moved weird. Now they were trying to go even more subtle, wait for a moment to snatch her with a van … until the Turtles and Spider-Man got involved. Kraang had no problem dealing with troublesome mutations in the past, but the four terrapins seemed to be the most persistent thorn in Kraang's plan.
Not to mention the unknown factor of the enhanced human that was Spider-Man and many others like him. Mankind had just barely begun breaking the mold with genetic splices, somehow able to create what was generally accepted as 'mutates'. Where was this level of growth when they were in the middle ages!? Would have made their mutagen experimentation fix itself much faster than the thousands of years of progress.
"So, you came too?" 'Irma' was brought out of their internal dialoge, turning their head to the likes of Gwen Stacy, part of the new 'friend group'. "I thought you weren't into dances like this."
"I'm not, I'm here in protest and to see April in a dress." So until Subprime could get April O'Niel to lead them to the hideout of the Turtles, 'Irma' would have to keep her close, fulfilling the role that hours of television had described as the 'GBF', 'supporting' their best friend to ignore all forms of authority and isolating other people from becoming closer. Something that was a little hard given how they were now a part of the clique known as the 'Nerd squad' of Midtown high. "I see you got yourself a jock." They gestured to the man that looked like he'd probably be on some form of steroids, if Subprime's scanners didn't say otherwise.
"Just as fun as when you were back at the lab." The guy known as Eddie Brock chuckled. "Boy, this place hasn't changed one bit since I was here. Granted that was a year ago, but still. "So, where's the rest of the gang?"
"I'm here." April came back, munching on a cookie as she handed out drinks. "The dancing is overrated, but I will not deny my love for a snack table. Harry's hanging over by the 'cool kids' with his date over there."
"Osborn and cool…I didn't think there could be two words that couldn't go together yet it's happening right now." Eddie snickered, looking at the other red head of the nerd Squad. "Since when does he roll with that crowd?
"Since he became the school quarterback." Gwen answered with a eye roll.
"...No seriously, what's the real reason?" Eddie asked, genuinely confused.
"Puberty apparently hit him like a truck." 'Irma' rolled 'her' eyes. It was strange in it's own right, seeing someone push the limits of peak human performance in an instant. The first time they were running from a mutant that the Kraang were SUPPOSED to be hunting down, the second was the game where Subprime had more time to think. Very little sense was made on that front … Maybe Osborn had his own secret reaction to an experiment. "He outran Flash and everything."
"Whoa, I'd almost pay money to see that." Eddie snorted before looking around. "I don't see Peter around here. Let me guess, he couldn't find a date in time?"
"No, Peter … got dumped." April explained. "Apparently his Aunt May got involved, so that squandered any plans he had."
Ah yes, Peter Parker … Spider-Man. Something that wasn't that hard to figure out at all, considering the evidence practically fell on their lap. Between the voice recordings, the relation to ECU's genetic research (which the Kraang would get eventually), the body height, and the lack of being in the same place at the same time, Subprime was certain they were the same person.
As for why they didn't act on it … well, hostages were always great for a late game play, weren't they? It was better to wait until they could get the technodrome through the portal before they made a move like that on their enemies. "Can't say I'm surprised, last year's fall formal we all ended up ditching." Eddie shrugged.
"Well at least he's not hitting on women in their twenties." Gwen sighed in relief, getting a raised eyebrow from Eddie. "Long and complicated story that'll probably end with Peter wearing a diaper on halloween."
"Yikes." Eddie winced. "I'll be sure to support him through the troubling times."
"I … don't think you'll need to." April said, strangely dazed.
"What, don't tell me you'd actually want to see that." Gwen glared.
"No, because we hadn't noticed the quiet dance floor and all the stares point in one direction, Peter brought a date."
"He what now?" 'Irma' asked. Even with all their calculations, that seemed to be unlikely, given how Parker was dead set on showing only the scrawny nerd of his personality when the mask was off.
The group turned to see the boy in question, wearing a suit, walking next to a woman with curves, and red hair that was a shade darker than April's. Must have been a human thing, Subprime didn't really see the beauty in any of these unevolved morons. Let's see, funny joke … they turned to April. "Between you, her, and Harry, I'm starting to think this group has an obsession with redheads."
"What the fu-?" Gwen almost cursed at the sight as about half the students in this school gymnasium began gawking at the sight of the two walking to the group.
"Hey guys." Peter greeted me. "This is Mary Jane Watson ."
At this, April let out a vindictive smirk. "Ah, so this is the 'Wonderful Personality' girl you've been telling us about?" Both boys in the vicinity instantly shuddered upon hearing those words.
"I see my reputation precedes me." The new redhead just smirked right back with a little chuckle of her own. "You should've seen how our Aunts have been trying to get us to meet. The way Aunt Anna kept pushing it, I was halfway expecting a shut-in closet serial killer, but a cute nerd is definitely a step up."
"Yeah…you could say that." Gwen looked at the girl suspiciously in an untrusting manner. "I'm Gwen, and this is Eddie. So…haven't seen you around before."
"I go to a different school, though that might be subject to change. I've been thinking about living with my Aunt Anna, so who knows, you might just see me around more." The red head smirked.
"Always happen to make a new friend." April greeted. Greeeat. Another person 'Irma' needed to isolate April from. Because that's what they need in their life right now. "Want a soda?"
"Sure, I've starved myself just enough to afford one cheat night." The red head snickered as she took a sip.
"Vanity, the power that fuels most women on the planet." They snarked.
Mary Jane looked at her with a coy smile. "I think you could afford some yourself. You're not half bad with your hair down." Wait what?
"… Is your date flirting with another girl?" Eddie asked.
"I just got lucky enough to go out with her, I'm not questioning personal taste." Peter shrugged.
"Don't worry Tiger, you have the entire night to enjoy the full Watson experience all to yourself." Mary Jane looked back to the boy with a look that seemed almost predatory.
"Tiger?" Everyone questioned, Gwen especially looking flummoxed and disappointed.
"Whoa, what's that? I think the dance floors are calling our names, come on, let's go." Peter grabbed his date and headed out.
"You know, I'm starting to believe in that Parker luck you guys talked about." April muttered as she watched the girl twirl him.
"I thought the Parker Luck was just Pete's excuse for Bad luck?" Eddie asked.
"Yeah..bad luck…" Gwen groaned, looking at the sight of the boy in disappointment. "Don't wait guys, I'll be in the restroom.
"Gwen, wait, don't go.." Eddie tried to call out, only for it to come too late.
"What's the deal with her?" April asked with a raised eyebrow. Subprime almost forgot, April was the oblivious one out of their High school group. It did them wonders, because it meant the girl was less likely to pick up on any hints that accidentally gave 'Irma' away. They just stay in character until the time was right
Jessica Cambel never thought she would be as frozen as she was right now. Tonight was the fall formal( seriously, wasn't it just a little too early for a school dance? They've barely reached the first quarter of the semester) and like every loner girl, she was dragged here against her will by her extroverted friend since neither of them had dates.
She would've protested more against it, but eh, she was never one to deny free cube cheese and punch. Plus, Doreen pointed out a small detail that got her attention. Her crush was likely to arrive without a date, which would be the perfect time to finally have a proper conversation with him, most likely after social anxiety and peer pressure had driven him into a corner. Not exactly the most ideal situation for a meet and greet, but Jessica would take it.
That plan instantly went up in smoke after not even the first half hour, due to the subject of what everyone was staring at this very moment. Peter Parker … on a date … with a supermodel of some kind! "What the fuck?" She asked.
"Wow, never expected Parker to land a girl like that." Doreen said with an impressed look. "He's got game."
"What the fuck?" She repeated in a daze.
"I mean, I'm not one to question anyone's taste in guys, but I never really got what you saw in him. But if Parker's landing girl's that look like young Scarlett Johansions, then clearly there's something I'm not getting."
"What the fuck? She just couldn't really process the situation at hand.
"Maybe it's the nerd physique, or he's like Osborn levels of rich and hiding it. Either that or she's into geeky guys … what do you think Jess?"
What did she think!? "What. The. Fuck?" Jessica repeated her dumbfoundedness. "Doreen, why the hell is this happening?"
"My current theory is mutated pheromones of some kind. Maybe we should get a blood sample." Doreean turned to her. "Do you mind trying to swipe at his hair?"
"I mean I can definitely try to-wait we're getting off base here!"
"Are we? If spider guys and mutant monkeys can exist, then pheromones are a viable option, which is what the paranormal investigation club is all about finding out." Doreen countered.
"Peter Parker is not paranormal." She defended. "He's one of the few sane things in my life." Between a bratty brother, parents that took his side note often than not, admiring the guy from afar brought some level of stability in her life. If only he didn't get sick on that field trip at the end of last year, she would've approached him then if he didn't end up getting rushed home.
"Well, then you can explain the situation at hand, can't you?" She hated that smug smirk on her friend's face.
She looked back at the sight that had everyone else flummoxed. The sight of a smoking hot redhead with practically flawless skin, laughing as the smartest and dorkiest boy in school was talking to her, probably saying something nerdy but charming very few people would be able to fully appreciate. "Obviously this is just some elaborate prank or cruel game." Not to put down the boy, but he wasn't exactly 'pick of the litter' within the social hierarchy of Highschool.
"Hmmm …" Doreen looked thoughtful, before turning to one of the 'cool kids' that was on her way from the punch bowl. "Liz Allen, this is Doreen Green. What is your opinion on Peter Parker's date?" She asked.
"Hm?" The girl was distracted like everyone else from looking at the unbelievable sight. "Oh,It's probably just for that dumb bet." The girl grumbled.
"Bet?" Jessica inquired.
"Yeah, Flash was bragging that Peety couldn't bring a date to the prom, and he'd win a bet for a Halloween costume or something." They waved off. Well that certainly gave a lot of relieving context. "She's probably a cousin, or something."
"She could be related to the other red head in their group." Doreen pointed out, only to be responded with the cup of punch in Liz's hand to drop. "… You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, I'm totally, totally fine, why would I care about Petey having a date, I have Flash." Liz cleared her throat.
"The same Flash that's trying to hit on Peter's date?" Jessica pointed to the jock going up to the mystery redhead.
"… You girls wouldn't have happened to have compensated the lack of dates with anything I could use to discipline my boyfriend with, did you?" She asked quietly.
"Luckily for you, my friend Jessica here happens to be an expert at getting payback at shitty boys screwing sisters over." Doreen presented her like she was a prize on a game show. "Blackmail, extortion, blunt instruments, she's the gal to go to."
Jessica looked at the two of them. "I say we tie them up in a back alley together, so he can share the pain of his 'new toy'." She suggested.
"Wow, jeeze, and here people call me the crazy one." Her friend rolled her eyes. "So? What do you say? Revenge time or what?"
"Thanks...but I don't want to do anything too crazy…for now at least." Liz sighed. "I've been stuck in this cycle with Flash for two years..I think it's time I make a change."
"Well at least that'll be the second biggest headline of the year." Doreen grinned. "I can see it now, A listers change into A splinters."
"… How have we spent so long looking at paranormal things, but your naming scheme hasn't improved?" She asked.
"Give and take, pure awesomeness comes at a price, sue me." Doreen green as she took a plate of crackers and dumped them in her purse. "Eat up Monkey Joe, tonight we feast!"
"Did she bring another rodent … to the school dance no less?" Liz asked with mild concern.
"Trust me, she's worse when she can't bring them with her." Jess was fifty percent her friend was rabid, and her teeth could cut through bone alone. "Between her and Casey Jones, I couldn't tell you who's more feral." She was glad she had someone to keep her mind off the fact the guy she liked may or may not be taken.
"So." Harry listened to Glory's lovely voice. "Is your entire group addicted to redheads, or did god just put a lot of them on this side of New York?" She asked with a dazzling smirk.
"I'd like to think I'm always exactly where I need to be." Harry couldn't have felt lighting then he did right now. For once the world was falling perfectly into place for him. Not only was the green making football a breeze to smash through, it also boosted his brains. The past two weeks his homework and tests have been filled with nothing but A+'s.
Not to mention he got into the social circle of the cool kids! Sure, he kinda missed spending time with the gang, but Dad was gonna be so proud when he brought Glory home. He was dating a smart cheerleader! Although he himself had SEVERAL questions on the new girl Mary Jane (wonderful personality, go figure), Harry refrained from not giving his girl any attention. Peter could have the hot redhead (as long as he never said that last part out loud, he'd be good), Harry for once had his own achievements-
A sudden thorn was suddenly triggered all over his body, forcing him to wince, taking all of his concentration to not fall over. "Harry, you alright?" Glory asked in concern.
"F-fine, totally fine, just a little dehydrated. I'm going to get some punch." The drawbacks were kicking in. He needed a pain reliever, he needed more Green. "Want me to get you some too?"
"Um, sure, yeah." Nodding, he began making his way to the snack bar.
Sadly, said bar had April and Irma constantly next to it. Shit, he wouldn't have time to sneak in some green into his punch. "Hey Harry." The fellow redhead greeted as she finished a cheese bite. "How's the dance been on your end?"
"Well the football stars were discussing if the cheerleader bet should be made into a full group thing, but other than that, pretty swell." He knew that taking one for the team was good and all, but there were some things he should probably draw the line at. "How's it going in single-town?"
"You know, I thought it would be boring … but Peter's date just makes it like watching a school wide trainwreck, and that's the kind of thing I find hilarious." Irma smirked.
"Yeah, exactly what voodoo magic is he working with to get a girl like that?" Harry asked semi-seriously. Normally Harry wouldn't question his friend having good luck for a change, but Harry only got this far from being on green.
"May Parker plays chess games nobody on this mortal plane could comprehend." April said jokingly. "But so far the girl seems nice, if a bit caty."
"I'll expect her to be seen on the cover of illicit magazines if she keeps talking the way she does." Irma bluntly said without a hint of remorse.
"And why would you be seeing such magazines in the first place?" April asked.
"I feel you don't know me as well as you think you do."
"We're getting off track." Harry waved it off. "I better get the punch back to Glory."
"That's not your best option." Irma replied. "Seeing as she's dumping you."
"Dumping…" Harry quickly turned his head, and saw that fat tub of lard Kenny Kong approached his ex wearing a tuxedo shirt that didn't even cover that oversized belly of his. After saying something he couldn't hear, Glory hugged him tightly with a smile on her face.
"Ouch …" April turned to him. "Harry, you gonna be-"
"I need some air." He began quickly making his way out of the gym. This was because he was off the green, that had to be it. He needed more green. Harry opened his locker, pulling out a vial. Once he had more, everything would fall back into pla-
"Harry?" The unmissable voice of Gwen made itself known as soon as he made it into the hallway?
"Gwen!?" He slipped, almost crushing the vile he had in his hand. "I mean, hey Gwen. What-what are you doing out here, the dance is inside."
"I saw the show with Kong and came to check on you … what's that in your hand?" She asked with concern.
"It's nothing, I swear." He tried to deflect. "It's just a placebo effect I've been using for self confidence." Buy the lie …
"Plac-Harry, are you on drugs?!" The girl unfortunately accused him with a shriek.
"Ssssssh, keep it quiet! You'll give people the wrong idea!" He looked around, fortunately the area was still empty. "It's not drugs, it's not anything illegal …" He needed to come clean. "Oscorp's been working on something, Globulin Green." He looked through the vial, his blurry vision making the eye reflecting almost look … deranged. "It's something like Captain America's super soldier stuff. Everyone's been trying to replicate it, my dad just got the closest."
"Harry, there's a reason why no one has recreated it, it's freaking dangerous!" Gwen freaked out. "Do you even know what's in there!?"
"I do. It's the one thing that actually wins me something in life." He could almost feel its power just by being near it, his arm tingling. "Good greats, great athleticism, the ability to do something for myself." The green was good.
"But what if it hurts you?" She asked. "You've been off all month Harry. The football team, the good grades, hanging out with Flash's posse, none of that is you.."
"So what? You're saying that I'm supposed to be some dumb loser who's only worth is throwing a couple of bucks around when it's convenient!? That you like it when I look like the stupid one of the loser berguide of midtown?!"
"No, i'm not saying any of that-"
"Just leave me alone and go back to your date." He stomped away. "I'm going to be perfectly fine for the rest of the night." Harry ignored her pleading and made his way into the bathroom, taking a large gulp of green.
This was what he needed to do…this was exactly what his father would in the same situation. He constantly made deals with that Hammerhead guy. Norman Osborn wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty, so why shouldn't he?
He looked into his reflection … and watched the reflection grin back. "Maybe you should make that Glory bitch pay. Wring up her pretty little neck and watch the life drain from her eyes-"
Harry fell back, scrambling away from … the perfectly normal mirror. Just…Just another small inconvenience. He'd feel better after a nice long nap. The floor was a normal palace to sleep on, right?
"Damn it! I thought turtles were supposed to be slow!" It wasn't an easy night to be a criminal. The big man was calling in debts tonight and they needed a fast and easy way to pay them up quickly, or they might as well book reservations to the nearest morgue.
"And people are supposed to do the right thing. I guess we're both wrong tonight." The blue turtle spoke, hitting a guy across the alleyway and into a dumpster.
"And slam dunk!" An orange turtle hit some men with nunchucks. "Man, it's not as fun without Spidey quips." It was weird to not see Spider-man webbing him and his boys up for once, but that curiosity was just replaced with the fact that they were so low on the totem pole that the Web head didn't even need to be here.
"I dunno, the empty void has given me plenty of time to test my new reservoir on the idiocy of New York thugs." The red turtle knocked a guy out with his own pistol. "I mean, you'd think the speech Tombstone gave would have spared no expense when no villains are running rampant." … THEY MET THE BIG MAN!?
"No one meets the Big Man and lives!" One of his partners shouted, trying to tackle the purple one from behind.
"Clearly the name is over exaggerated if that's why he's called that." The purple turtle rolled their eyes as he flipped the man over its head. "... Hey guys?" It asked in a serious tone. "Was I the only one who … gave the offer thought?"
"Are you serious?" The red one accused them as he had one of his boys in a headlock.
"It's just … we could have used the help against the Shredder … and he'd stop making supervillains too …" They said in a conflicted tone, as they wanked another guy over the head with their stick. Wait, THEY WERE AGAINST THE SHREDDER!? "I'm just thinking about it logically, you know?"
"Yeah, it did sound like a good deal, but that would mean letting him get away with crime. The lesser of two evils is still evil." The blue one sighed as he knocked another one into a wall. "Master Splinter trained us better, or else we'd be no different then these bozos over here.
"I'm not a bozo!" One tried to raise a gun, only to be knocked out by the orange one.
"Yeah, even if the whole 'public thing' would have been nice." The orange one shrugged. "So what, now we have two … what did Spidey call it, 'A-Lister' villains?"
"That's how he put it…damn that's terrifying." The red one shivered. "Shredder was bad enough when he could kill us with barely any effort. Tombstone….it's like his main power doesn't just come from how tough and strong he is." Well at least they understood why you didn't cross the man.
"We'll figure it out, just like we always do." The blue one spoke. "Alright, that leaves three goons left." He raised a sword. "Do you want to surrender now, or wake up with the police?" Wasn't that merciful?
"Well there is the third option." A voice came from above, as they all looked up to see … a green man with a purple dress, riding on a floating gargoyle … sure, they were already fighting turtle ninjas, why not!? "But then again, the Green Goblin quite a new path itself."
"You get points for the alliteration, but isn't that just a little on the nose?" The orange one groaned.
"True, but a name is only as good as the one that gives it meaning." The floating man chuckled. "Tell me, Michelangelo, do you like Halloween?"
"Never celebrated it before, but those jackolantern things always end up in the sewers." He ignored the fact that the man apparently knew his name, something that set the other turtles on edge.
"Well, here's an early pumpkin experience!" They tossed exactly what they advertised, an orange pumpkin that the turtle catched … as it began to beep. "The Green Goblin is packing his treats with his tricks!"
"MIKEY!" The purple one wacked it with a stick, standing in between the turtle and the apparent bomb.
GAAH
Which somehow exploded with a scream as they were launched back. "Donnie!" The orange turtle shouted.
"Woopsie, wrong target. But don't worry Turtles, the Green Goblin always carries spares!" They cackled, throwing a handful of beeping pumpkins.
"Keep yucking it up, laughing boy, I got more than tricks to take down a high flying clown like you!" The Red one shouted as the freaks scattered, hoping against the walls of the alley to attack the Goblin from the air.
"Oh, but the Green Goblin has plenty of ways to devour turtles." They held out a hand, grabbing the red one's hand, the sai not even touching the fingers as a cracking sound was heard, the turtle wincing. "Whether it's crushed by hand, or cooked by hand." With their free hand, they aimed a finger at the blue turtle behind them.
Pew
As a laser blasted out and hit him in the shell. "But I am open to suggestions!" They threw the turtle into the wall hard enough to hear another crack. The hell was with this guy? "Now then, I believe I've caught your attention and taken care of your little pest problem for the moment."
"Not me." The Goblin freek turned to the orange one that had jumped on the glider, pulling blades out of his weapon.
"What about you?" The maniac looked unimpressed.
"I can do this." And with that remark, they swung … straight into the glider itself.
"Oh no, what's a poor goblin to do now that I'm caught in a-Zap!" The goblin charged up those hands with electricity and zapped the chain, shocking the turtle. "Now where were we … oh right, your attention."
"What do you want?"
"Your undying loyalty, or dying loyalty, the goblin is nothing if flexible." The maniac cackled as they threw down a whole sack full of hundreds. "I can promise this and much more fortune at the end of the rainbow."
He judged the pros and cons of working with a psychotic, bomb throwing maniac … "Fuck it, you're the first guy to pay up front." It was a dog eat dog world after all.
"Excellent. Now let's get you dressed up, we have a ball to-" He was cut off as a metal star hit his chest with a ding. "Ch. You'd think someone as trained as you lot would have the manners to not interrupt." Those turtles were gluttons for punishment.
Mary Jane laughed as they finally left the dance floor. "You've got moves Tiger. Did you feel the need to go above and beyond, or are you just a natural on your feet?" She smirked.
"I'm good at picking things up here and there." Peter joked right back. "What about you, light as a feather with all the swaying on the dance floor."
"My good looks get me a lot, that includes a lot of free time to practice." She weaved the tale she usually told. When the house was practically empty on most days, she had to fill her time with something or risk going mad. "Girl's gotta have a hobby after all. Though your pretty occupied taking pictures of men in their pajamas from what I hear."
"Oh yeah, still a bit of an amateur though, just lucky the Bugle's willing to pay me for my trouble." Peter laughed.
"If you need someone to practice on, I'd be more than happy to model. I think I could pull it off." She placed a hand on her hip, striking a pose.
"Yeah, you definitely have the … eyes for it." Peter blushed, looking at the wall intensely. It was funny that this awkward nerd was the most talked about superhero in New York.
Come on, between the voice in the jokes, it was a miracle nobody else put it together … well in their defense, she had the cheat of seeing him go into his bedroom window. So yeah, Mary Jane could officially say, when she was in her thirties or so, that she dated Spider-Man without lying in any way, shape, or form.
There was so much one would do in her position with what she knew. Some might extort them for money, blackmail him into beating up their shitty parents, or do their 'civilian' duty and report him to the police.
Mary Jane Watson however…..was absolutely not interested in any of those things. From her perspective, Peter Parker had something she so desperately wanted, something that almost any kid their age would kill to have…freedom.
She's seen the videos, the way he joked as he beat up clowns in funny costumes, the way it looked like he could fly as he swung from building to building…she bet it felt absolutely liberating, to have nothing but the rushing wind in your face on your mind. Not parents that couldn't stand each other or sister's that were content with being chained down.
Peter Parker had a life anyone would crave for … and he worked for a place that disrespected his name every day. She found the irony absolutely hilarious. "Oh come on Tiger, own it tonight. You got lucky for a change."
The boy laughed. "MJ, if you knew my luck, you'd clearly think otherwise." She raised an eyebrow. "Whenever a good thing happens, something worse happens after. It's how the Parker luck rolls."
"I always suspected cynicism and brains were connected in some way, so thank you for confirming." Mary Jane laughed.
"I would normally deny that, but Irma proved me otherwise." He chuckled. "So you said you'd be sticking around more?"
"Probably, I could go either way. Aunt Anna will probably hook me up with more boys with 'wonderful personalities' if I move in with her." She smirked.
"And apparently me, Gwen and Harry need to double down on our old person lingo." He muttered with a grin of his own, his phone ringing. "Oh, sorry, mind if I take this?"
"Go ahead Tiger, I'll keep the dance floor warm for you." She nodded as she let him do his thing.
"Hey guys, what's up … I'm sorry, a Goblin?" That was all she heard as he walked out of hearing distance. Well, it seems she was spoiled on the next cover of the Daily Bugle. "Mary Jane, I am so, so, so sorry about this, but.."
"I get it tiger, duty calls." She reassured him with a knowing nod. "I won't be going anywhere. I'll be sure to save you the last dance."
"You're way too good for me." He smiled as he ran out the door.
"I'm too good for most people. I just stick with what, and who, I like." Peter Parker, Spider-man, whoever he was, he had freedom. He had his own life to live. Mary Jane would choose to respect that as she loved her own path, chasing down her own freedom that she could call just hers.