Chapter 27 : Return and jinks
Author note : hey guys ! I'm reaching the limit of my saved up chapters of this story for Patréon… gonna have to return to write it. Too bad, I am kinda pumped about my own original story about super-heroes. I've spent a great deal of time thinking about and building on the more, the world, etc… I've currently written 8 chapters and am working on the 9th. Short chapters no longer than 1.3k words but still ! On the other hand, this slice of life story… don't really know where to take it. There are so many stories in the Marvel multiverse and I only know what I've read and watched… plus the things I've read on the fandom and internet…
Anyways ! Sorry about this rant. I'll still gladly accept any comment, stones and/or review you're willing to send my way. Also, if you like what I write, visit my Patréon page. Search for Cathbel on their website or use this link :
(replace * by o)
Enjoy !
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Ever since I intervened in Ben Parker's fate, I have kept my ear to the ground for news about his well-being. His nephew, being the nerd, unpopular kid that he is, his uncle's health wasn't much of a topic of discussion in school, except for his tormentors. A few days ago, I've heard Eugene 'Flash' Thompson and Kong, whom I can remember the actual name, talk about him…
It was funny in a way, how it was the kids who were too blinded by their own amusement and self-importance, and made your life hell, that were actually caring enough for you in these moments. At least, that's what I thought until Flash made a joke about geriatrics I don't care to repeat - or think about for that matter.
Peter and May have spent the last week and a half in the hospital with Ben Parker. Apparently, although the heart attack was not lethal, his trip to the hospital actually revealed a tumor. It wasn't big, and it was benign but the doctors decided to operate to take it out, just in case.
With my eavesdropping powers… Just kidding, I don't have those. I mean, I could, but what's the point, really ? High schoolers love to hear themselves talk, it's easy to overhear something that had nothing to do with you. Mary Jane Watson, Liz Allen, Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn were more than happy to fill me in - unwittingly, true - on Peter's current state of mind.
Apparently, the night he learned of what happened, Peter ran out of the hospital. I can't know for sure, but I do hope he tried to go after the robber, it's basically a rite of passage for all Spider-Man, learning that actions have consequences and that, him doing nothing in front of a criminal, led to his uncle dying - or in this case, almost dying… That's what engraved Ben Parker's famous saying in his mind and shaped the man he would become in the future.
Ever since then, during the few visits from his friends, Peter has been uncharacteristically serious and silent, almost out of it. It could be shock or depression, but I really hope it's him thinking about his future super-hero costume or something like that…
As for my own intervention ? There are a few rumors, especially among Peter's group of friends, but they don't really know what to make of my existence, it seems. Am I an hallucination from Aunt May's shocked mind ? Was it a costume ? Am I a mutant ? Was there even anyone else there ? They at least, think someone did prevent the robber from killing the older couple, as otherwise, they'd be no reason why they're alive, especially since a shot was fired that night…
Now, there's a question I have to ask myself however. Like most heroes, Peter has an archnemesis in the form of Norman Osborn, AKA the Green Goblin. Has he already been born, or reborn as it were ? Does he already know about Peter's powers ? In one version of Marvel, Green Goblin attacks Midtown High to get his hands on Parker… Or was it to kill his son ? In any case, he causes great damage to the school and I'm a little afraid of facing the lunatic.
All this to say that, these last few days, coming to school has been a little… nerve wracking. I know that Osborn is not supposed to attack while Peter is not present but, how could he know whether or not the teenager is here ? Green Goblin is the marvel equivalent of the Joker : chaotic evil, with just a pinch of dark humor. He's not exactly someone you'd expect logic from…
Because of my paranoia, I've had several gazers monitor the school autonomously, meant to update me if they discover someone with a green skin tone dressed in purple. I just hope I don't have to face the Ultimate marvel version of the goblin… He's on the upper level of strength among the goblins, being to shoot fireballs directly from his hands, in addition to his enhanced physical abilities. The guy could leap building in a single bound !
In comparison, the one dressed like a jester and moving on a glider is, a little less, dangerous, I think. Plus, I think the glider's cool.
Anyways~ ! The other reason why I'm tense is… Peter's back in school. I've seen him from afar and, unlike how his arrival usually impacts the crowd, people stopped and silence fell on the hall. Seeing something like this for someone that is usually ignored at best, and at worst, given a hard… It was weird.
But it's clear the teenager is still brooding. Flash is doing is best to provoke him but he's been completely ignored. As are Harry and, more surprisingly MJ ! Although, these two don't try to provoke him and are just trying to talk to him… Gwen, seeing the situation, suddenly decides to take the matter into her own hands and tries to gently knock over on his head…
It does bring him out of whatever train of thought he's in : he dodges and instantly looks around warily, before sighing when he sees his friends, plus one bully. Briefly, he grimaces seeing Flash, but he schools his expression quickly and smiles. At this point, I ignore their interactions and runs after Doreen who's pulling on Cory's hand and dragging her outside.
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As I watch the completely unexpected and yet, expected chaos unfold in front of me, I curse myself. I just had to jinks it, didn't I ? I'm sure I'm the one who conjured this image of destruction and teenage anguish. And no, it's not just a food fight, though it does happen at the cafeteria.
On the up side ? It's not a rich nut-bag with questionable fashion choices. On the down side ? There's four of them. I'm not sure who they're supposed to be… The Frightful Four… Are they trying to copy the Fantastic Four, on the side of the villains ? I'm not sure they have what it takes, though…
Anyway, the three of us are standing in the middle of the room, frozen and our food tray in our arms as the fight is happening. Peter… I mean, Spider-Man is fighting them. Unfortunately, the fact that he's taken his head out of his ass doesn't make me happy : the fight's gonna make collateral damage, no doubt ! Unlike in cartoons and comic books, when buildings start to get trashed, it tends make a few victims !
« You guys have to help him ! » Cory suddenly orders us through gritted teeth. « I would help you but… I'm still too weak. But you guys, can help out ! »
Doreen looks at me, an eager glint in her eyes. I just sigh : I knew this would happen, but I really don't want to get involved ! Sharing a look with Doreen, we seem to understand each other ; I throw my food tray in the air, mimicking panic as I yell like a little girl, waving my arms from the to side as I turn tail and run.
Even I'm pretty sure it doesn't look believable. But what if it does and I'm labelled the girly coward or some shit like that ? Can't think about this now. People are running like headless chicken all around. Unfortunately, unlike the chicken, they still have eyes : I can't change into my octopus form in the middle of the hall. Doreen is in the same predicament. She can't keep the same clothes if she want to fight supervillains and she also needs a mask.
So, we each head for the bathrooms to find that… people are stupidly hiding in them. As if the small stalls would protect them. It reminds me of a dog in my last life that always hid under a desk when there was too much noise outside, like a storm or strong winds. I sigh and leave in search of something else… And spot an empty classroom from the small window on the door. I enter and quickly use my changing 'spell'. To call it a spell is too much ; It's more like a password, really. Then again, incantation magic works like this mostly. It uses the words, syntax and phrases to give shape to a spell.
I feel the change overcome my body almost instantly and I head out right away. I would have liked to wait for Doreen but the thing is… For some obscure reason, I feel responsible at the moment. I want to help Spider-Man and, more importantly perhaps, I want to avoid innocent people dying as much as possible.
Some would argue there aren't many innocents in a high school… I can't argue with that. Regardless, I'm not about to simply let kids die… Shit, what's happening to me ? Am I growing a… conscience ? Nah, that's not it. I already had one, it was just muted by the high pitched voice of my cowardice. Strangely enough, I can't hear it today…
« Looks like I'm doing this… » I say with a disbelieving sigh.