Me and Peter left the therapy office, the cool evening air brushing against our skin as we headed towards the heart of Tokyo. Peter and I had been through the wringer lately, what with my responsibilities as a hero weighing heavy on my shoulders and his life as Spider-Man adding more to the chaos. Still, today felt different. It was quieter than usual, a stillness hanging in the air that unnerved me. While I had gotten used to the unpredictability that came with being a hero, calm was always unsettling in a city that thrived on chaos.
As we walked, I caught sight of Hawks striding nearby, his usual casual demeanor reflecting a layer of tension just beneath the surface. We chatted casually, maintaining a wary observation of our surroundings, glancing at the skyline painted in hues of orange as the sun began to set. "You're way too tense today, Anos," Peter said, shooting me a quick, worried glance. "You know, you can chill out a little."
"Chilling isn't really my strong suit, Parker," I replied, sarcasm masking the layers of anxiety lurking beneath. After lifetimes of fighting evil and now inheriting this new family and persona, worry never quite left me.
Hours rolled by, and my instincts buzzed as we continued our patrol. I was about to suggest perhaps we head back when an ear-shattering scream echoed through the streets, followed by explosions that rocked the very foundation of the city.
"Shit!" I cursed, adrenaline kicking in as chaos erupted around us. Nomus began to spill from massive portals, ravenous and terrifying, with panic-stricken civilians caught in the crossfire. I felt a sense of déjà vu, recalling the battles of my past life battling darkness. "Let's move!" I barked.
In a fluid motion, I pressed the watch attached to my wrist, transforming into my hero costume. The world around me grew sharper, my senses heightened. Peter swung into action, his webs shooting out, pulling people from danger as my own abilities awakened. I flew upward, freezing breath ready, preparing to tow helpless civilians to safety.
While we navigated the chaos, I glanced at Hawks, gleaming feathers slicing through the air as he maneuvered through the debris with alarming efficiency. My mind raced—Dabi had said it would be chaotic, but even he hadn't hinted at this level of havoc. My heart sank as I realized the scale of what we were facing.
I let my breath freeze several Nomus in their tracks, shattering them into harmless shards. With one powerful punch, I dispatched another, putting my training to good use. The portals loomed larger, swallowing buildings and, alarming me, even Nomus.
"Damn it!" I spat, frustration bubbling up. "I can't freeze them! Peter!" I shouted as he soared nearby, detouring a swarm of panicking civilians.
"On it!" he yelled back, tucking and dodging in rhythm as he worked.
We worked tirelessly, saving lives while battling the encroaching threat. But the confusion surrounding the absence of any other heroes gnawed at me. This wasn't just a random attack; it felt orchestrated, as if the chaos was planned.
After a while, the portals began to shrink directly in front of us, and my heart leapt. I knew what these swirling gaps meant; they were never good news. Within moments, they vanished, leaving only destruction in their wake. Buildings lay in ruins, and chaos reigned supreme in the streets of Tokyo.
"All clear?" Peter gasped as he landed beside me, weariness etched on his face.
I nodded towards the scattered civilians, now under Hawks' protection. "For now, at least," I grumbled. But deep inside, things felt off. Why weren't any heroes responding? I sighed, leaning back against an alleywall, feeling the weight of everything crashing down on me.
"I'll make a call," I said reluctantly, pulling up Kenji's number. It rang a few times before he answered, and I filled him in on the chaos unfolding in Tokyo, my voice laced with urgency.
"Fuck, Anos, I'm so sorry! All the pros were called to an emergency meeting," he replied, his voice tense.
I frowned, my gut twisting. "Without Hawks? Why would they do that?"
There was silence on the other end before he continued. "Endeavor said Hawks was sick. Wasn't he?"
"No, he's right here helping us!" I shot back, anxiety creeping up my spine. The enormity of our predicament felt heavier with each second. There had to be an explanation.
Kenji inhaled sharply. "I think Endeavor lied… but why?"
"Why go to such lengths?" I muttered, barely hearing my voice as anger bubbled. Kenji sighed heavily before he dropped another bomb. "He… he accused Hizashi of working with the villains, said he was a traitor."
I stood still, shock coursing through me like ice water. "How... how could he? He's insane!"
"He blackmailed your dad," Kenji replied softly. "Tried to make it look like he was some kind of villain. It was bad, Anos. I've never seen Hizashi so furious."
"Wait, what?" I repeated, trying to process his words. Peter placed a hand on my shoulder, sensing the storm brewing inside me. "My father is not a criminal!"
"Anos—"
"How could he even think this?" I interjected, struggling to find my voice even as realization hit. This went deeper than I expected.
Kenji must've sensed my rising rage, "He's trying to secure his position at the top; it's obvious—especially considering you and your brother embody the next generation of heroes."
I pulled my mask down, the tension in my body making it hard to breathe. "When did this happen?"
"After the last incident," he sighed. I couldn't tell if he was sympathetic or just frustrated. "It's all just a ploy."
Silence enveloped the call, and I leaned back against the wall, feeling Peter's presence as he steadied himself next to me. "I need to talk to Dabi. Now."
Understanding flickered across Peter's face as we locked eyes. I'd regained that sense of urgency I thought I'd tucked away. We had to confront this deceit head-on—slowly, the fangs of anger coiling within me felt alive. Everything I cherished, my family and my home, was under threat from someone I once regarded as a symbol of hope.
"Let's get to work," Peter whispered, determination tinting his voice.
Together, we soared back into the air, ready to confront the storm that awaited us. With a tight bond with Hawks and newfound resolve within each other, we would face whatever tangled web lay ahead. I felt one thing certainty: nothing would undo everything I had fought for again.