Going Back

( Ken POV )

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the quiet streets of Queens, I found myself supporting a heavily injured Peter Parker. The encounter earlier that day had been unexpected. The fight with those thugs had left him battered and bruised, and now, he leaned heavily on me as we navigated the narrow corridors of an old apartment building.

"This one?" I asked the injured guy I had saved earlier today, pointing to a door inside an apartment building.

"Yes, this is where my aunt and I live. Let me knock." He replied, His eyes, wide and grateful, locked onto mine as he gestured toward an unassuming door inside the dimly lit apartment building. He is staggering in my arms and nearly falling after losing my support.

"Man, it's okay. You're still injured. Let me knock on the door." I said, helping him stand beside me once again before knocking on the door.

Knock! Knock!

The sound of hurried footsteps and muffled voices came from inside. Not even a minute passed before we heard voices from inside. The door swung open, revealing a woman who defied all my expectations. Despite her casual attire, she looked really stylish. She seemed to be in her mid-thirties, with long dark brown hair and smooth white skin. Most noticeably, her tight shirt accentuated her twin mountain. 

'Gyatt... I could never imagine she's his aunt... No, I refuse to admit it...'

"Hello," she began, her voice a soothing melody. "Is there someth—" Her words trailed off as she took in the sight of her badly injured nephew. "Oh my god! Peter! Are you okay?"

"U-um... Hi, May?" The boy next to me replied sheepishly with a wry smile. He was just a kid, really, despite the bruises and scrapes.

"Excuse me, Miss May Parker?" My purple-haired kouhai's voice cut through the tension. "May we come in first? Peter here is quite injured. We helped him in an alley a few blocks from here."

May's eyes widened, and she immediately opened the door wider, ushering us inside. "Come in, come in," she said, her maternal instincts kicking in. "Let's put him on the sofa."

As we shuffled through the cozy living room, I supported Peter, guiding him to the worn-out couch. May bustled around, fetching a medkit from a nearby cabinet.

Mash and Ushiwakamaru also seated themselves nearby, occasionally glancing around the apartment.

"Thank you so much, Ken, Mash, and Ms. Ushiwaka, for helping me today," Peter said, managing a grateful smile despite the pain etched across his face. 

'Even though he's not Spider-Man yet, I must admit his willpower is admirable.' I mused, studying him. The boy had guts, that was for sure.

"It's all my master's doing, no need to thank me..."

"Yes, it's all thanks to senpai."

"It was a coincidence," I added, my voice casual. "We were just passing by when we saw you getting pummeled by those scum. Seeing how badly injured you were, I thought it was necessary to intervene."

Ushiwaka and Mash replied to Peter, while I added a little lie. It was Mash's request to help him, not mine. But it turned out to be quite a surprise; who would have thought that the one I helped would be the future Spider-Man? 

"Oh, Peter, how could this happen? Let me clean up the wounds on your forehead while you start talking." May returned with a medkit in her arms, sat next to her nephew, and began treating his injury.

Peter started to explain how he ended up in his current situation. We also listened attentively. Apparently, he had just returned from a pawnshop after buying computer parts when he was ambushed by a guy named Flash Thompson and his cronies.

'I didn't even know that was Flash Thompson... Did I just erase the future Agent Venom's Lust desire? Well, whatever, he is a dick.' 

When Peter finished explaining that he had been bullied and passed out, Mash continued the story from her perspective. She told May how we were passing by, saw what happened, and I ended up beating up those scum before helping Peter get back to his apartment.

She didn't mention that we had treated Peter's injuries with my spell. Without my first aid, I really doubted the little Spidey here could have even woken up. Heck, maybe he would have needed an ambulance.

May listened to our story attentively, concern evident in her eyes as she stared at her nephew. After we finished telling her our part and how we helped Peter get back, May finished treating him and thanked us.

"Thank you for all your help and for bringing Peter home. I can't repay your kindness, but how about staying for dinner with us?" May offered.

Peter, who heard his aunt's suggestion, seemed to agree and persuaded us to stay. "Yes, please stay for dinner with us, Ken, Mash, and Ms. Ushiwaka. I'd like to chat with all of you and maybe introduce you to some famous tourist spots around here," he said with a hint of excitement despite the bruises on his face.

"Oh? You guys are new around here?" May asked curiously after hearing Peter's words.

"Yes, we just arrived from London," Ushiwaka replied with a straight-faced lie.

We had agreed to tell people we were from London and trying to settle down in America if anyone asked. Da Vinci and Sion had already provided us with new identities in this world, hacking the whole network and forging a believable story for us in case the authorities questioned us.

"Right, we just arrived today with our other family members, but we got separated from them while touring the town," I added, glancing at my kawaii kouhai fidgeting in the corner.

It was also Ushiwaka's and my duty to lie if necessary, since Mash was clearly incapable of doing so convincingly. She could lie to a bad guy, but to the Parkers? She was just too honest and good-hearted, and that's why I liked her. 

'She is such a bree—Ughm, I mean, an adorable and lovely woman...'

"Oh my... That's really unfortunate. Maybe I could help you find them? Or you could use our phone to call them?" May offered, showing her understanding nature. Now I was quite jealous of the nonexistent Uncle Ben...

"It's fine, Ms. Parker. They already called us and said they were on their way to pick us up. So, we are truly sorry, but we can't stay for dinner," I said, unable to hide my disappointment.

Who wouldn't want to stay and hang out more with the Parkers, talking and perhaps subtly influencing young Peter? Definitely not just for his aunt... Maybe...

Anyway, not long after Peter woke up, Da Vinci sent us a message via our CID, saying they had completed the mission and were on their way to pick us up. I didn't know what their mission was, as they hadn't briefed me and only said it would take a few hours. I should ask them later...

"Yes, sadly, just like Senpai said, we really need to get going," Mash echoed, sounding as disappointed as I was. Now I was confused. Why did she sound disappointed?

As Ushiwaka, Mash, and I rose from our seats, preparing to leave, Peter and May watched us with understanding expressions. "Well, I guess it's fine. I don't want to make your family wait for you guys," Peter said, smiling despite his injuries.

"You guys are always welcome to visit again. Maybe next time, we can have dinner together. Let me escort you down," May offered, walking us to the door.

"Thanks, May. We'll come visit again later, and don't worry, we can go by ourselves. Peter needs you here."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Ms. Parker," Mash added with a warm smile.

Mash and I said goodbye to them and headed to the door, where Ushiwaka was already waiting. After Mash and Ushiwaka left first, I turned around one last time before offering some advice to the future Spider-Man.

"Oh, and Peter, I advise you to learn more about martial arts for self-defense. We don't know if what happened today will happen again. Anyway, we'll meet again. Ciao."

As soon as I finished talking, I closed the door of their apartment and headed down to where Mash and Ushiwaka had already gone. Meanwhile, May, now busy checking Peter's wounds, smiled after their guests had left.

"They're nice people, aren't they?" she asked, her voice filled with gratitude.

"Yeah, if not for their help, I doubt I could have made it back home and might have ended up in a hospital," Peter replied, wincing slightly as May tended to a particularly nasty bruise.

"It would be wonderful if you became friends with them the next time you meet. People like them, who are willing to help a stranger, are rare nowadays. You must cherish it, Peter."

"I know, I owe them one. Maybe he's right; I need to train my body," Peter mused, his thoughts turning inward.

"Ken is absolutely right. You need to buff up, young man. I could introduce you to a dojo owner I know in the neighborhood. If I'm not wrong, her name is Colleen."

"No, it's fine, May. I'll start with running first," Peter responded, shaking his head slightly.

"Your choice..."

May shrugged at Peter's response before she got up from the sofa and headed back to the kitchen to prepare their dinner. Peter, on the other hand, was busy contemplating whatever was inside his head before glancing back at his bag and smiling warmly.

Meanwhile, after we left the apartment building and headed toward a certain alleyway, I started poking at my eggplant before asking her a question. "Hey Mash, what did you think about him?" I asked with a curious tone.

"Him?"

"Peter Parker, a.k.a. the future Spider-Man."

As we continued to walk, Mash seemed to be contemplating for a while before she responded to my question. "Well, I can't say too much for now, but his willpower when he tried to safeguard his bag and even still not leaving a trace of hatred when he talked about them is admirable at least." She nodded before continuing. "I hope we can be friends with him later, Senpai."

"There's always a chance later, Mash. How about you, Ushiwaka?" I asked the other woman, who had been silent since we left their place, while patting my shy kouhai and soothing the white beast in her hand.

"Not bad for a weak human. As long as he's not a threat to you, I don't really care," she said with a nonchalant look, shrugging her shoulders.

It seemed like Peter's future prospects didn't intrigue her in the slightest. But why did I sense a cold wind a few seconds ago while she replied to me? Weird...

As we continued down the alley, I couldn't help but reflect on the day's events. Meeting Peter Parker had been an unexpected twist, and while our interaction was brief, it left a lasting impression.

The cold night air of New York bit at our faces as we walked through the tense streets, each step echoing the feeling that something ominous was brewing in the city. The distant sounds of traffic and the occasional shout in the night only added to the uneasy atmosphere. We moved quickly, our footsteps tapping a rhythm of urgency on the concrete.

It felt like some shit was about to happen. We continued to walk for a few blocks before turning a corner and entering an alleyway. There, a huge behemoth of a vehicle was parked, and a middle-aged man stood leaning against it, smoking a cigarette.

"Good to see you, El Melloi-san," I greeted him, pulling my coat tighter around me. He straightened up, exhaling a cloud of smoke, and fixed his gaze on us.

"You're finally here. Let's get inside the Shadow Border and head back to Olga's location," he said, crushing his cigarette underfoot.

The driver's seat window slid open, revealing a cheerful brown-haired beauty who waved energetically at us. "Hey, Master, Mash, Ushiwaka! Come on, let's go back," Da Vinci called out, her voice tinged with impatience.

"Geez, take it easy, Da Vinci-chan," I said, unable to hide my amusement.

'Why do these people seem so impatient to go back?' I wondered as we boarded the vehicle.

As we entered the vehicle, I saw Hassan already seated. She greeted us simply. "Master," she said, nodding to the others. We nodded back, knowing how quiet she is as a person.

After we got seated, Da Vinci in the front turned on the Shadow Border, and El Melloi beside her helped navigate the Paper Moon.

"Why are you guys in such a hurry to get back?" I asked, puzzled by their urgency.

"Yes, what happened, Da Vinci-san?" Mash chimed in, her curiosity mirroring my own.

Da Vinci sighed dramatically. "Sigh, it's nothing. It's just that our mission was too exhausting and boring. I missed my chance to hang out with you guys!" she whined; her frustration evident in her voice.

"Well, what was your mission? You didn't tell us when you dropped us off earlier today," I said with an amused tone.

Da Vinci continued to grumble while driving the Shadow Border, and it was the uncle-looking guy who answered instead. "Just ask Hassan," he said with a tired tone before closing his eyes, trying to get some sleep.

We turned our attention to Hassan, knowing she would give us the straightforward answer. True to form, she began to recount their day's operation, her tone even and factual.

'Damn, Da Vinci is really crazy...' I thought as she described their bold infiltration of the X-Mansion. 'Thank goodness nothing happened.'

Engrossed in our conversation, we barely noticed when the Shadow Border slipped into the Imaginary Number Space. The world outside the vehicle blurred into an abstract swirl of colors, the relentless noise of New York fading into an eerie silence. We were heading back to the outskirts, leaving the chaotic city behind.

.....

( 3rd POV )

A week had passed since the Chaldea group arrived in the United States. They had been tirelessly working to renovate and fortify the grand mansion that Olga and Sion had purchased. The mansion, once a crumbling relic of past grandeur, was slowly transforming into a fortified base of operations.

The dilapidated library was converted into a command room, each piece of furniture carefully selected and placed in the respective rooms, the underground levels transformed into a clandestine workshop for magus, and the sprawling yard meticulously tended to with the aid of spells.

Thanks to everyone's hard work, especially Hassan of the Hundred Faces using her Noble Phantasm, the tasks that would have taken more time and people were completed in just a week. Now, with the mansion fortified and furnished, the team members found themselves immersed in their respective duties. Da Vinci and Sion were engrossed in their workshop, experimenting with mutant blood. Olga and El Melloi were meticulously planning strategies to acquire more resources. Even Hassan, always diligent, was finally taking a well-deserved break.

Meanwhile, Ken, Mash, and Ushiwakamaru had taken it upon themselves to restock the kitchen. Their black Ford Mustang glided smoothly into the driveway, coming to a stop near the grand fountain in front of the main entrance. The trio emerged from the car, laden with bags full of groceries, and a white animal, Fou, leaped from the vehicle, eager to explore the courtyard.

"Ushiwaka, could you please bring the rest of the ingredients from the trunk to the kitchen?" Ken, busy holding several bags, instructed the ponytail-haired woman.

"Leave it to me, Ken-sama," she responded, opening the car trunk and getting the rest of the items.

"Fou! Fouuu!!!"

"Ah, Fou-san! Don't run around the courtyard," Mash called out, her voice tinged with a mix of amusement and exasperation as the energetic mascot bounded off to his favorite spot.

Meanwhile Ken, struggling with the shopping bags, asked Mash to open the door since he couldn't see or do it himself. 

"Mash, the door, please?"

"Ah, yes, Senpai."

She immediately went to the main door and opened it for him. As the door opened, she turned to inform him but was stunned by what she saw.

"Um, Mash? Did you open the door yet?" Ken asked, puzzled by her silence.

Hearing her senpai's words, Mash regained her focus and said something puzzling for Ken. "Senpai, I think you need to see this..." Her voice trembling. 

Walking toward where Mash's voice came from, Ken slowly arrived and put the bags down on the ground. Regaining his vision, Ken was about to question his kouhai.

"Sigh, what do I need to see? Is it Fou playing in the mud? Or a new dent on the mus—" As Ken turned around to see what Mash was looking at, he was also stunned by the view.

"That's what I mean, Senpai..."

Mash pointed toward the scene she was seeing. Because of their mansion's location, they had an advantageous view of New York City, which wasn't far away. The city was in chaos, fires everywhere, helicopters flying around, and not far in the sky near the Statue of Liberty, they could see a stadium slowly floating toward the shore. Everything seemed drastically different from what they had seen in the past few days.

"What the fuck..."

.....

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A/N: Please donate your power stones and leave more reviews for my story, I appreciate it and thank you for your support!