Thank you to everybody who read or left kudos for the last chapter. You are so wonderful. We are still in the gamma timeline. At least it's Monday now. I missed the first story where there were days between conversations. The text messages in this chapter will be taking place over the course of the day. I decided to add timestamps to make things more convenient, even though I normally don't do timestamps.

Spoiler/continuity note: There is a reference to something we discovered during Spider-Man: No Way Home in this chapter. However, it's been twisted for the timeline. I'll explain more at the end of the chapter.

Conversation 45: High School Blues

March 25, 2018, 6:43 AM Gamma timeline

BITC: Let me just say I'm so jealous that you don't have to wake up at 6 AM to go to class today. I hate Mondays. It's worse today because I'm going to be all alone with just O'Reilly.

Purple Princess: I'm sorry that apocalypse hit on a mommy weekend. You could not deal with our hours. I'm only not waking up at 6 AM because I didn't really sleep last night.

BITC: You were dead on your feet yesterday when we talked. You were practically incoherent. How can you be so much better now if you didn't sleep last night?

Purple Princess: I had a three-hour power nap after the meeting when the dads got back to base. Then we began working on the special project.

BITC: Which is too classified for you to even discuss in these text messages? I don't get that because your cousin makes the best encryption. Even Ana's briefing packet was 70% redacted.

Purple Princess: It's Zephyr 3 related, but that's all I can say for now. Thankfully we made excellent progress. It helps that we were almost there and only missing the special piece, so the project will be ready to roll tomorrow.

BITC: OK, I think I know what you're talking about, and I was supposed to be there for the launch. :-(. When will I get to know all the details?

Purple Princess: It's either going to be really late tonight or extremely early in the morning tomorrow. I promise to bring coffee. We definitely are going back to class tomorrow no matter what.

BITC: Why?

Purple Princess: We have to keep up appearances. I don't know when we're going to actually get to leave the compound. Dad has more meetings, and he has to look over the projects before heading back.

BITC: Your dad has to keep up appearances, so the world doesn't realize that we're on the brink of an apocalypse?

Purple Princess: We are always on the brink of an apocalypse. Most people don't realize that we had an alien invasion Friday.

BITC: There is still some chatter on the dark web and a few rumors. However, even the conspiracy groups are more focused on the suspicious death of the Deputy Director of the ATCU. Also, the fact that an acting Deputy Director wasn't announced publicly.

Purple Princess: Because the acting is technically still legally dead. It was a good distraction. They're going in the right direction since aliens actually killed the general. They're not wrong. Her death was suspicious. Jeffrey really should've gone with something less obvious than a car accident.

BITC: Is Ruby OK? Losing your mom has to be tough, even if she was actually a terrorist. Seriously Hydra? Ana was at least able to give me that much.

Purple Princess: They call it Hydra for a reason besides the squid monster mascot. Ruby was never OK ever. But she's safe right now. After we're done with the purple monster, I think Natasha will spend some time with her. Maybe get her in contact with her sister. This is some Black Widow program level shit. Before being at Midtown, Ruby went to Hydra Academy. Also, we don't think she's actually 16. We don't know how old she really is.

BITC: The Black Widow has a sister?

Purple Princess: Quake has a cousin. Superheroes have families too. There's a whole family of Black Widows.

Purple Princess: Of course, having an actual family can be a bad thing when you're a superhero. For example, my dad is making me sleep now. He wants me to be halfway coherent by the time the sister-in-law gets here. Small confession, Ana corrected the grammar on most of these messages.

BITC: Wanda is coming? I absolutely hate that my dad wouldn't let me come to the compound today.

BITC: Also, MJ discovers a new relative like every week. I still can't believe Leo's assistant Ms. Watson is her aunt.

Purple Princess: Yes. Wanda is supposed to give me a little check-up before leaving on her next mission. It's only happened twice. It's quite common to find long-lost relatives when your family members change their names to avoid toxic people. Oh, I need to make sure Ms. Watson knows about operation Popper switch this week.

BITC: I'm sure this is something else you can't talk about. I didn't understand most of that text message.

Purple Princess: We can talk in person tomorrow morning. I don't think your dad will let you come over to Flash's apartment at midnight. Per Ana, that now seems to be our ETA. Both of my dads have meetings all day. Dad is sulking because he can't spend time in the labs with the team.

BITC: I would be sad too. Actually, I am sad because I missing all the fun. My dad is the cool parent, but that is still a no on a school night. Especially because he'll just assume it's an excuse to go to Peter's. Mom is already trying to take him back to court because he lets me text message Peter when I'm here. Even Lola can't talk her out of it. I think mom knows I broke protocol yesterday.

Purple Princess: Considering how much your grandmother terrifies me, I'm kind of shocked that she is not effective in this case. Ana will take care of that. My dad's custody lawyer Vanessa is going to call your dad today. She helped us get Flash away from his parents.

BITC: You had to bring in a custody lawyer for that?

Purple Princess: How else would he have become my foster brother?

BITC: You have strange siblings and in-laws. Wait, why does the sister-in-law need to give you a check-up? Is this related to you fainting Friday? I think you mentioned your dad was concerned.

Purple Princess: Kind of. Remember I was incoherent due to sleep deprivation yesterday?

BITC: And apparently, you're still sleep-deprived, but you're using Ana to cover.

Purple Princess: The thing is, I shouldn't be suffering the effects of sleep deprivation.

BITC: Everybody gets incoherent without any sleep. That's just human.

Purple Princess: I'm not human. LMDs don't need sleep or a bacon cheese waffle sandwich with real Vermont syrup. I need both. Thankfully the kitchens at the lighthouse are now fully stocked, and Hunter is making breakfast. He is the best. I wonder if I can talk him into chocolate chip pancakes too? I also need some of his cookies.

BITC: But are you just Friday in an LMD suit? I think you're more than that. Especially now that you can enjoy good chocolate chip pancakes. If you're making me meet you before sunrise, please bring food.

Purple Princess: I don't know anymore. I shouldn't have passed out Friday if I was just an LMD. I wouldn't have been overwhelmed by all the information. Leo is 100% sure I should have been able to process it just as well as Ana.

BITC: Instead, you lost consciousness. Now Flash knows who you are. How did he take that? Other than him losing consciousness.

Purple Princess: Pretty well, actually once he was conscious again. Although he was more focused on the Benji truth.

BITC: I'm really gonna have to have a conversation about that with Benji. I feel like I'm missing all the good stuff. I mean, how exactly do you ask your best friend if they're actually bisexual and are interested in Flash Thompson, of all people?

Purple Princess: That's definitely a conversation to have with Benji. You could text him. Unfortunately, I have to go sleep now.

BITC: Go. I think Ana just sent that to [redacted] on my behalf via normal channels.

Purple princess: That seems like something my little sister would do.

Xxx

March 25, 2018, 10:33 AM gamma timeline

BITC: Class is boring. I know you're asleep, but I'm just going to send random text messages. I'm sure Ana will make sure you're not disturbed.

BITC: At least until the principal takes my phone again. BTW he doesn't at all believe that you guys are doing something for Stark industries.

BITC: Cecily says I'm an idiot. Also, apparently the entire Midtown LGBTQA community knew about Flash.

XXXX

March 25, 2018, 11:03 AM gamma timeline

BITC: They also know about Benji, for that matter. Per Cecily, they think that Benji and Flash are not there today because they've run away together.

BITC: With MJ because apparently, they are OT3. I now know that wasn't a voice recognition mistake last time. I don't want to think about that right now.

BITC: Especially because [redacted] hasn't texted me back yet.

BITC: I'm just going to assume that your father has forced him to sleep. Because I can definitely see him in the lab with you all night.

XXXX

March 25, 2018, 12:43 PM gamma timeline

BITC: OK, also the decathlon group thinks this. I sent you screenshots. Don't show MJ. Otherwise, she might throttle Betty.

BITC: Honestly, I can see it too. Why did I not notice this earlier? They are always stealing each other's food in the cafeteria. Cecily thinks it's cute, and I think it's weird.

BITC: The rest of the school is split between actually believing me when I say they're doing a project for Stark Industries and thinking Peter just ran away with MJ for the weekend.

BITC: Except for our principal who really wants your dad to transfer us all to private school next year. Yes, he told me that. I just got out of his office. He really thought he was done with this when he retired.

BITC: But hey, I'm allowed to keep text messaging you in class since we're in active apocalypse mode.

BITC: The theories are not completely ridiculous since you guys are in an upstate New York community known for its bed-and-breakfasts and its beautiful lighthouse. Not that they actually know that the lighthouse is a super-secret spy instillation run by two countries.

BITC: Except for maybe Coach Wilson. He's also 100% sure aliens attacked Mumbai Friday.

XXXX

March 25, 2018, 1:28 PM gamma timeline

BITC: Oh, I'm 99% sure Cecily knows that you and Benji are really Purple Princess and Spidey. [Redacted] definitely knows.

BITC: [redacted] also wants to know if she needs to be called up from reserves and if her outfit is ready?

BITC: Hey, did you change the redaction rules? I can type O'Reilly's first name, but I can't put down Moon's first name. That's weird.

XXXX

March 25, 2018, 2:32 PM gamma timeline

Purple Princess: I am so sorry I did not return any of your messages. It's been crazy. Plus, as you know, your handler is on a mission. I think you're being reassigned to Simmons right now. She's coming with us to New York. She might be subbing in our science class again. This is great because our current teacher is horrible. I'm so mad my dad won't let me take classes at Empire State until next year.

Spidey too: Do I even want to know what mission Laura is on? Is it related to Ruby? I've felt like something was wrong. I didn't see her in class today. This is entirely understandable since her mom died over the weekend, but I know they weren't close.

Purple Princess: Because she was a monster. However, the other monster was bigger.

Spidey too: I knew the car accident thing was too convenient. So watchdogs, superpowered villains, or aliens?

Purple Princess: Things are messy, and I will brief you later. Not now because I'm not putting this in writing. I can't even respond to your joke. Do you think you can convince your mom to do a sleepover at my house for the week?

Spidey too: Do I need to tell them it's part of my internship at the ATCU? I think they'll agree to it under those circumstances.

Purple Princess: Do what you have to do. It's not entirely a lie.

Purple Princess: You're not being called in yet, but you may need to be on standby. You also need to decide if you want to go to Malta. Dad is sending all the little kids to that base along with Ms. Marvel's parents. He wants me to go there, but he won't make me. He won't make you either, but it's an option.

Spidey too: Do you need someone to protect the kids?

Purple Princess: Not right now. Purple Arrow is going along with Benji's aunt and a bunch of Shield agents. Actually, I think the girlfriend is going too. That's going to be an interesting conversation, considering what happened in the other timeline. But we don't judge people by what they do in other timelines, only what they do now.

Spidey too: Other timeline? How much do I not know?

Purple Princess: Way too much. Ana put together a 14-page executive summary. You get the non-redacted version if you read it at the house.

Spidey too: Oh, that's not good. I'll decide after you tell me everything.

Purple Princess: Ana will fill you in tonight. You can head to the Queen's house after class. I would say bring the boy in the chair with you, but his dad cannot agree to that.

Spidey too: Custody issues?

Purple Princess Yes. Also, I am starting to think the real reason she doesn't want her baby hanging out with Benji and me is that our parents are LGBTPQ. She was friends with May until she started dating Olivia. You don't want to know what stunt she just pulled. Lawyers are involved again. Even her mom is on our side.

Spidey too: I am not surprised.

Purple Princess: Hey, is it OK if I tell Ned you're one of Laura's kids?

Spidey too: Yes. But just that.

Purple Princess: Thank you. I promise that's all I'll say.

XXXX

Purple Princess: Hey, sorry I didn't text you back immediately. You reminded me that I needed to let CM know what's going on. She's one of Laura's kids. That's why her name gets redacted, but CO doesn't. That's all I can say.

BITC: That makes way too much sense. I'm glad that's the reason for the redaction. Originally, I thought that might be because CO is still changing her legal name. Therefore, it's kind of a nickname at the moment.

Purple Princess: Actually, if you typed/dictated her dead name to any Stark AI, they will refuse to type it and then kindly remind you why you shouldn't use it. Ana actually offered to help her with the name change, but she won't agree to it.

BITC: That makes sense. Looking back, it seemed kind of obvious in gym class. It felt like CM was holding back like Benji. Is she like Quake or like Benji?

Purple Princess: I can't answer that. You'll have to ask her yourself later. I only got permission to tell you that she's a Laura kid.

Purple Princess: Also, only ask her questions in a secure location.

BITC: Will do.

Purple Princess: I haven't told CO that I'm Purple Princess, but she's not stupid. We all know Benji keeps letting it slip.

BITC: Yet not a hint at all about Flash or himself. I still feel like an idiot. How did I not get that Flash's special Malibu friend from his internship was his boyfriend? He looks a hell of a lot like Benji.

Purple Princess: You did point out he looked like Benji.

Purple Princess: BTW, they broke up over the weekend because the Malibu boyfriend was fucking around with a girl. Do not mention this in front of Flash.

BITC: I'm not heartless. I won't say anything. CM just showed me the Instagram post, and even Flash doesn't deserve that.

Purple Princess: Not at all. Hey, I have to go. The Wakanda delegation is here, which means my cousin is leaving in like five minutes. I need to say hi to everyone and figure out what we need to finalize tonight before going back to New York

BITC: She's going back home, and I didn't even get to see her. That sucks.

BITC: I was hoping she would be stopping by tomorrow.

Purple Princess: She's going to the bay area for work. I think she'll be making a brief stop at the youth center there. But she will probably be back in the New York Metro by Thursday.

Purple Princess: I want to go with her, but I can't. My dad never lets me do anything fun.

BITC: Your dad let you be a superhero. That seems like fun.

Purple Princess: Only because he knows I would just do it behind his back if he said no. This way, he can supervise me. I think I will be under training wheels until I'm 25.

BITC: I feel your pain. I'm pretty sure my mom monitors my phone calls.

Purple Princess: I can confirm that she does that. It's best for your sanity that you don't know how I know that. I just pushed a version of Ana to your personal phone. She will make sure your mom won't see your actual text messages. Although, just in case, you should probably only message us on your Avenger line. And don't even think about calling us because she's probably listening to your room through the baby monitor.

BITC: Is Ana covering them up with porn?

BITC: I think that would make things worse.

Purple Princess: I was the AI that came up with that brilliant idea, and I now know better. I promise your phone is not doing that. OK, I really got to go this time.

Purple Princess: Wanda is here. I haven't seen her since Christmas.

BITC: Flash of all people just sent me a picture of your happy family reunion. You had a Malcolm in the middle late-night virtual viewing party last week. Sometimes I think you're overly dramatic.

Purple Princess: That doesn't count.

To be continued…

So this chapter was written about two months before No Way Home was released. After watching, I had to include Ned's lola in the story. Her existence helped me solve a problem that I had later in the story. Now I don't have to create a new OC.

So when Spider-Man: Homecoming came out, Michelle was supposed to be an Expy of Mary Jane Watson but not the MCU version of the character. She was just going to fill that role. Let's move forward to now, where they reveal her legal last name includes Watson. This doesn't completely mix with my story since I already made her a Johnson. I have also already introduced my own version of Mary Jane Watson. She is in her early 30s and served as Tony's PA in the first story. She's now Leo's assistant, as mentioned in this chapter.

As I was mentally preparing to add my things are just different in this timeline A/N, I realized she would be the perfect age to be MJ's aunt. It's plausible that MJ's mom's original last name was Jones-Watson, and she dropped the Watson part. In this story/timeline, MJ's mom and Mary J. Watson are half-sisters unaware of that until another shield background check DNA test. In this story, Ms. Watson is also a black woman who loves red wigs because why not. Baker would hate it, which is all the more reason for it. Per Loki, this is totally feasible. I'm just going to completely lean into this being an alternate timeline. What If taught me how fun that can be. We already have Olivia Octavius.