CHAPTER SIX; HOMECOMING

❝ and for the first time he saw the depths of what her darkness truly was ❞

[ songs to listen to during this chapter ]

❝ darkside, neoni / softcore, the neighborhood / alien blues, vundabar / enemy imagine dragons / soap, melanie martinez❞

･ ｡ﾟ☆

❝ nyc train ❞

EVEN WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO HEAR HIS HEARTBEAT Alina could tell Peter had questions for her ever since gym class. Things only got weirder from that point on, Liz, and Gwen had sat with them at lunch which all be it wasn't as strange as gym class but oddly it felt just as weird. While at lunch Gwen and Liz had gotten into a disagreement about 'Hex' apparently she had sparked a debate young the students. So all day she had been hearing how much people feared her, but after doing her own research Gwen felt differently.

She said that if Hex really had been held captive all those years, who were any of them to judge. Michelle Jones had something similar to them during lunch, this made Liz say how monstrous acts just made her into a monster. After doing bad things for so long, forced or not, that had to rot someones soul. Surprisingly to him that wasn't what made her explode, it was right as Liz was saying stuff about the party tonight.

Talking about all the things they had planned, asking Peter, Ned and Alina if they would be there. And if they would really try to get Spider-Man to show, don't ask Hex to join, said it would be a little difficult for all of them not to be a little freaked out by her. That was it, Alina decided to make her milk explode all over Liz. But that wasn't the end of it, mean and sarcastic comments flowed out of her at an unstoppable pace. No be was safe, him, other students, even teachers.

And he definitely hadn't missed her particular habit of generally making Flash miserable. He didn't mind that too much but still it left him wondering why. She wasn't the most joyful person when they met but she definitely not what she was being today.

"You're silence is both deafening and annoying," she spoke up not even looking at him as they sat side by side on the train as it rocked them with its movement.

"You've been off all day, what's wrong," he asked not even bothering to hide his question.

His question was expected and that morning she would've worried about her answer, but the closer she got to the full moon the less she actually cared. "What makes you think this isn't me just being me," she asked looking at him finally.

"Because you're nicer than this, and you seem..."

"Like a bitch," she assumed focusing out the window across from her.

Instantly he corrected her judgement insisting, "Like you're hurt."

Alina paused for only a second before answering, "I'm not hurt, I'm just being who I was designed to be." She didn't want him to know about the beast inside her, the less people who knew the better. Plus, once she was done helping Peter with finding those weapons she was staying in hiding. No more super suits or crime fighting, just Alina Dranganov, she hoped.

"I though you came here to be something more than that," he returned just as the train came to a stop. It was the stop before theirs but his statement had her needed to leave.

"You heard all your little friends, once you do monstrous things your soul is gone forever." Peter's face ran cold, she truly hated being the monster in their eyes, even when she pretended it didn't. "7I'll see you later before the party, Parker," she said standing up about to make her way off the train.

"Where are you going," he asked trying to stand to follow.

"To be alone," she said using her magic to force him to sit back down again. He didn't have a choice as he felt an invisible force yank him back down into the seat while she exited closing the trains doors behind her.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ aunt may's car [ outside the allen home ] ❞

Alina kept her nails gripping the door of the car the whole way over to Liz's house while May drove. Luckily for her the sounds stopped making her so angry but it was like all she could think of was how nervous she was. Not only would she have to pretend that the full moon was no bother, but it was also her first party ever. She'd been able to pretend to be normal somewhat before now, but that was in school that wasn't a party. She knew everyone would behave differently, but she didn't know if she could play along.

As May slowed her car she said, "House party in the suburbs. Oh, I remember these. Kind of jealous." Looking back at Alina seeing how tightly she was gripping the door she asked, "Honey are you sure you're feeling alright? We can leave the. boys here and I can take you home, hate to think you might throw up on that pretty dress. Or those boots."

Quickly she released her grip telling her ignoring the boys stares, "I'm not sick, more nervous."

Ned, who had been sitting next to her and wearing a uniquely styled hat, she wasn't exactly that familiar with male hat styles to know what kind, began to say, "It'll be a night to remember."

Examining him and the hat he was wearing May complimented with a small laugh, "Ned, some hats wear men. You wear that hat."

"Yeah, it gives me confidence," he said with a grin and nod.

Peter, who had been panicking for a completely different reason focused back in on everyone in the car saying, "This is a mistake." Speaking to his aunt directly he insisted, "Hey, let's just go home."

The older woman sighed telling her nephew, "Oh, Peter. I know. I know it's really hard trying to fit in with all the changes your body's going through. It's flowering now." The absurd, out-of-place speech made Peter chuckle and forced Alina to stifle her laugh. Looking to Ned she added, "He's so stressed out lately."

Speaking up wanting out of the car at this point the Dranganov teen touched his shoulders from behind his seat, "What helps with stress is going to a party. We should go to the party."

Instinctively grabbing hold of her hand squeezing it Peter agreed, "Yeah, let's do it. Yeah. I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go." Instantly she jumped out of the car taking a deep breath once she was free of the confines of the vehicle. Confined spaces weren't a fun thing on a normal day let alone on full moons where she literally wanted to shed her own skin. Anything that left her feeling stuck, contained or weighed down was just brutal.

"You ready," Peter asked nudging her hands making Alina realize she shut her eyes for a brief time. She gave him a small smile and nod, it was the nicest she'd been to him all day. She didn't understand why but she cared very much what he thought and it had her flashing between wanting his approval and mad at herself for wanting it and lashing out for it.

The three of them began walking towards the house, Ned waves with a huge grin on his face while his friend each liked riddled with anxiety. Before they walked in Ned asked, "Dude, you have the suit, right?"

"I'm not suiting up for them. We all know they're just gonna be scared," Alina refused looking to Peter wondering if he brought his. He pulled up his sleeve in order to offer them a glimpse of his Spider-Man suit under it.

Still lost in the craziness of it all Ned said, "This is gonna change our lives."

Alina rolled her eyes opening the front door immediately in a storm of people. She could smell sweat, alcohol, perfumes, a lot of cologne, and so much more. Two girls pass by in front of them, not taking any interest in their arrival. Whispering their plan Ned began, "Okay. We're gonna have Spider-Man swing in, say you guys are tight, and then I get a fist bump or one of those half bro-hugs."

Before Peter even said anything and distracting Alina who had a doe-eyed look on her face as she took in everything around her Michelle said, "Can't believe you guys are at this lame party."

Michelle was one of the few people Alina didn't mind, she was quiet and seemed like she was compassionate and intelligent. Seeing her standing there was almost as shocking as it was for Alina to be there herself. She watched as the much taller girl threw her hair back, trying to act cool while she was in the process of spreading jam on a slice of toast.

The three of them shared confused looks as Ned said, "But you're here too."

Making things more confusing she countered, "Am I?" None of them said anything they just watched as she took a bite of her toast making it crunch before walking away.

"Alina, you're here," before she even knew it the tall blonde came crushing the newest addition to the school. Pulling away Gwen made it easier for the brunette to smell the alcohol she had no doubly been consuming. "Oh my god you're dress is so cute I love it," Gwen said holding up her arm examining the brunette, "You definitely have to pick out an outfit for me when we go shopping tomorrow."

"Y-you guys are hanging out," Peter confirmed.

Alina nodded admitting, "Yeah, Gwen's been really nice since I got here."

Liz spoke up saying, "Do you mind grabbing a bite to eat with us tomorrow, too? We can meet up whenever we all wake up from recovering from tonight."

"Definitely," she answered catching a glimpse of Peter starring at Liz. It was obvious he liked her and she wasn't sure why that made her jealous, at least not at first. She figured it had to do with the fact he was the first person she met and the only one who knew exactly who she was. She didn't really want him to start dating the girl who, if she knew, would believe she was a monster.

"Oh speaking of tomorrow, I have a few other people I want you to meet. They might be joining us tomorrow," Gwen said pulling Alina's hand. As she was pulled away she looked back to Peter silently wishing him luck with his and Ned's plan.

She turned away once she lost him in the crowd that Gwen pulled her through until they reached outside. "Sabrina, this is Alina Dranganov, Alina this is Sabrina Benson," Gwen introduced grabbing the attention of a girl a couple inches taller than Alina. She had curly hair, her curls were the type that were tightly coiled it almost looked like she used heat to create them but she hadn't. She had round dark eyes and a beautiful smile, Sabrina had a nice style. Not as girly as Alina's tended to be from time to time but still Sabrina looked like a girl with high fashion sense. In Alina's experience peoples clothes said a lot about them, Sabrina's said she came from money.

Not Tony Stark money, but maybe a doctor, or an investment banker, someone was making a decent check. Decent enough for their daughter to afford Jimmy Choo high heeled boots just to wear to a party. Obviously neither her or them were worried about if she would ruin them. She paired her boots with a silk Saint Laurent red slip dress that ended around her thighs. On top was a jacket that ended exactly at the same spot as her dress, she looked confident.

"This is Parker's friend, she's so adorable," Sabrina remarked taking in everything about Alina. She could tell that she looked the part, she was dressed like them and appeared calm like them but Sabrina could see, Alina was out of her element. She must've been trying to reinvent herself Sabrina thought and in some ways she was right. "I heard you in class today with your little.. outburst about the accords," she added her voice with a hint of edge.

Sabrina was a firm believer that you couldn't truly see who a person was until they got angry, that always revealed how far a person would go. She also had a thing about knowing peoples secrets, she felt their should be none between friends and if Alina wanted to be friends she would half to be honest. And Sabrina really didn't care what it took to push her into honesty.

"Funny I didn't seem to notice you were even there," Alina retorted. She wasn't a fool, she could tell what Sabrina was doing, but she hadn't known Alina had spent years learning how to keep a secret and keep her goals hidden from her targets. Sabrina was child's play, and had met her match. Tonight was not the night to challenge her.

"Went as well as expected. Sorry about her, Brina can be a little bit," before Gwen finished another joined them. He was as tall as Gwen, which made him than all of the rest. He had black hair that completely contradicted Gwen's, and he had a side part made into his style. He appeared neat and polished, allowing the side part to added definition to it. He was around their age and dressed as if he had a bit of money as well.

He was wearing a soft, well made black sweater with pants, shoes, and belt all matching. Around his neck was a chain with a pendant with what looked like a greek coin of old, along with another necklace holding a small sword hanging from it.

He cut the blonde off answering, "Of a bitch?" Seeing the look sent his way from the girl in question he corrected, "Oh, I'm sorry my bad...I meant soul sucking demon." Alina giggled making him look her way again, she was beautiful in his eyes. Perfect skin, round blue eyes and wavy hair that rest well past her shoulders and stopped midway down her arm.

"Don't mind him, he gets bitter when people break up with him," Sabrina remarked, "Isn't that right Connor?"

Not even looking her way he answered, "Yes well when someone cheats on you one is not fond of seeing them as anything other the demon they are." Sabrina rolled her eyes, she technically did not cheat but she definitely did. She called Connor attempting to break up but when he didn't answer she went on as if she had been single. Connor, obviously not knowing showed up to surprise her only to find her in bed with some guy from another school.

So their year long relationship came down in flames and they hadn't said a nice word to each other since. Gwen, and Liz didn't always care about it though they were starting to wonder when it would finally come to an end. "And you're Alina, my sister mentioned you," he said pointing to Gwen who was standing by her side.

Glancing between the two she said, "You have a brother?"

"Sadly," she retorted with a slight roll of her eyes.

Connor placed his hand on her head messing up his sister hair, "Oh come on, you know you'd live a boring life without me." Gwen swatted at him shoving him and his hands away from her. Examining the Dranganov teen he wondered, "So, where you from?"

"Virginia," she answered quickly. Her quickness seemed to set off an alarm to Connor so she slyly added, "Things didn't end so well there."

"Oh really? What'd you do? Set fire to the school or something," Sabrina wondered as they all moved to sit on the couches.

Taking the seat beside Gwen she replied, "Maybe, watch out. Make me mad it might happen again." Everyone, even Sabrina laughed thinking she was joking and she partly was.

"She's pretty and quick witted, Gwen you really know how to pick friends," Connor said smirking as he admired the brunette. Unbeknownst to her or there others, Peter was watching them from the skyline above. Of course Gwen had introduced her to him, it just had to be Connor. The two boys used to be friends but Connor did what he wanted, Peter did what he needed to. His complement made her look away just as she felt her phone vibrate in her hand she flipped her phone over seeing she had a text.

from; Parker 🕷🕸

weapon dealers are close! come find me, I'm following.

"Shit," she mumbled reading the text thinking tonight was supposed to be normal. Looking up to see their curious faces she immediately downplayed, "Peter, h-he needs my help."

"For what? Is he picking up spider man," Liz announced hearing her statement as she joined them in the circle they created around the couches.

Connor, who hadn't been in school that day asked, "Spider-Man? You two know him?"

Before she could even speak Gwen answered her brother, "Peter actually, he said he knew her and that girl dad was talking about searching for last night."

"You're dads searching for her," Alina confirmed.

"He and 30,000 other police officers," Connor said, she could feel her claws digging into her hand. "He's the Chief of detectives, been chasing his tail looking for vigilantes ever since Spider-Man popped on the radar."

Nodding on Gwen added explaining, "Yeah, he's caught a few copy cats but nothing like Spider-Man and definitely no one like Hex. Dad said the whole department is ordered to shoot on sight if they have to, they're scared something like what happened in Lagos could happen."

"So they'll kill her," Alina said looking down. She knew everyone feared her, and police would be at the top of that list but, she was just trying to help.

"They shouldn't kill her," Sabrina said shocking Alina who looked up at her just in time for her to finish, "But they should definitely lock her ass up so she can't hurt anyone."

Hearing her words and seeing people agreeing that she was a monster yet again, she could feel the blood pooling in her hand. "Yeah well I'll make sure Peter keeps the hydra freak show away," she snapped standing from the couch. "I gotta go," she told them not waiting for them to speak in return before she made her way towards the door.

With her moving past him so fast Connor swore he caught a glimpse of her eyes shifting color and becoming gold. While they others shouted their goodbyes and Gwen told her to text her in the morning, Connor followed. Just as she reached the doorway he grabbed her arm, "Hey wait."

Feeling his hand on her she quickly allowed them to change back as she instinctively broke his grasp pushing him back. He moved back a few feet but held his footing. "You're really strong for a little thing," he said judging her small figure.

"Yeah well when someone gets grabby I get violent," she snapped at him. When she first arrived she wanted to feel normal but she realized that if anyone knew her they would be afraid. They would never be her friend if she was honest about who she was.

"Are you okay? You're eyes, they looked weird and you were like a bat out of hell trying to leave," he said noticing fairly enough about her in their short time.

"I'm fine, are you," she asked him rudely before she rushed out knowing she had already been running late to meet with Peter. Watching as she left Connor smirked, she was here all of five minutes but she was more interesting than anyone else there.

Having seen their interaction Michelle continued to watch as Sabrina approached her ex. "What is wrong with that girl," she asked shaking her head.

Shaking his head he replied, "I don't know, but I think I want to find out."

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ forest hills, queens ❞

One last time Peter checked his phone seeing his last text from Alina telling him she was coming. Sure to stay quiet he pulled down his mask crawling down the side of the bridge. He watched as one of the men said, "Okay, okay, okay. I got what you need, all right? I got tons of great stuff here. One sec."

He watched as the man approached his van, attempting to look inside the lenses on his suit narrowed allowing him to see inside. The back of the van is full of machinery and weapons, "Okay, I got, uh, black hole grenades, Chitauri railguns..."

He could hear one of them men trying to encourage him to by a more high tech weapon. "I need something to stick up somebody. I'm not trying to shoot them back in time," the buyer said.

Suddenly, a yodeling ringtone played from Peters pocket instantly alarming the weapon dealers. "Okay, what the hell was that," he asked as Peter looked to see Alina calling. He looked up just in time to see the man aiming his gun at the buyer asking, "Did you set us up?"

Instantly Peter flipped off the wall landing on the ground to shout, "Hey! Hey, come on. You gonna shoot at somebody, shoot at me."

Just as the man pointed the gun Peter shot his web, disarming the man and charging him. Just before he got close he noticed the other man pointed the gun shooting out a burst of energy. Before anything could hit him he saw a small but familiar figure land in front of him and watched as the blue white energy was absorbed into Alina herself.

"I've been wanting to fight someone all day," Alina admitted as the men fearfully ran inside their van. She sucked in a breath pointing her hand to redistribute the energy back to them. Fearful of what that meant for the men inside Peter shouted using his webs to swing over lifting her off the ground throwing off her shot as they landed against the wall.

Shoving him she snapped, "What the hell was that for? They're gonna get away!"

"You could've killed them," he shouted before looking at the van quickly shooting off a web, attaching it to the car.

"You're such an idiot," she shouted at him for stopping her and for what was going to happen that he hadn't considered. Before he could even reply the van pulled him off, "TOLD YOU SO!"

Instantly she pushed herself off the ground flying to follow after him. She flew a few seconds before she found Peter being dragged along the streets being hit off absolutely everything in his path. She watched as a hand came out of the window and she saw the same weapon she blocked earlier.

Zipping through the air so fast Peter barely saw her until she had landed on top of the van. Struggling to keep her balance she let her head hang into the window, "Hey there boys."

"What the hell," the man shouted in the passenger seat.

"What are you doing!? Grab her," shouted the driver.

Seeing the weapon on the mans hand she said, "I'll take that, motus." Instantly the gauntlet slipped off his wrist and into her hands, "Thank you." Just as the man jumped forward to grab her she hoisted her body up only to see Peter losing his grip on the door that came flying off. The two of them threw up their arms each seeing the other one in the position the other had just been in. "You're kidding me Spidey," she shouted at him still standing on top the van.

"Great, Alina is so gonna kill me," Peter mumbled running up to a gate he easily managed to hop over. Not stopping for anything in his path Peter slid across the car entering someones yard. As he ran through he saw two men playing ping-pong in a garage, "Hey, guys. Good game. Have fun!"

The neighbors stopped their game and gape after Spider-Man in disbelief, but as fast as he was there he was gone. Running though another yard he was stopped when a dog ran straight up to him licking Peter's face. Peter retrieves a ball with his web and throws it to the side for the dog, "Hey, hey, buddy. Sorry, no time to play. Here, go fetch."

Throwing the ball off into the distance Peter flung out a web allowing it to heave him up and out of the yard. He swung through the neighborhood, hanging on tree branches and streetlights, "Whoo! Now, this is more like it."

He glided into another yard shooting his web, he accidentally held onto a treehouse and knocked it off the tree. In his hurry it made him lose his grasp and land hard on the roof of a shed, it collapses under his weight.

Having no time to waste he got back up groaning before he ripped through the door, running across the yard. Still not full paying attention he slammed through a wooden fence leaping into the air only to land on a small toy car, which rolled him forward. Losing his balance, Peter toppled over getting tangled in a soccer net while he stumbled through the hedge. Trying to be nice as he continued moving he waved his hand to a man having a barbecue in his own backyard, "Smells really good!"

Passing the next yard he caught of glimpse of 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' playing on the television at a pool party, "Great movie," he shouted seeing it.

He skimmed over the pool, splashing water over the partygoers and making them scream in surprise. He then gets tangled in fairy lights crash landing on another yard, right beside two little girls having a sleepover in a tent. The eyes on his mask malfunction, fluttering open and close in a creepy fashion, "Ugh... Oh, hey, guys."

The girls screamed desperately trying to run flipping over the tent int the girls' overzealous attempt to escape. Seeing the van zooming past he jumped up knowing Alina was right by. Panting as he pushed forward running he muttered, "Thought you got away from me, didn't you? I got you right where I want you."

"Will you just get over here! I don't want to get to their place by myself," she shouted finally close enough for him to hear. She saw him jumping to land on top of the van with her but while he was in the air she saw someone coming down from the sky. "Look out," she shouted but she was too late, he had been snatched up and immediately flown upwards.

"NO," She screamed pushing off from the van leaving a giant dent and piping their tires forcing them to stop as she gave chase. Just as she was growing closer Peter's parachute exploded pulling him hurdling back towards ground.

She glanced up at the thing that had grabbed him and saw a man with metal wings and claws hovering. "You can catch me or save him, can't do both kid," he said through the mask covering his face.

Knowing he was right Alina shot a blast of blue energy not caring where it landed as she zoomed back down to grab Peter before he fell. Narrowly she caught him but before she could remove his parachute it forced both of them into the water trapped inside. It was mere seconds before she felt someone strong and metallic grabbed her yanking her out of the water. Finally able to take a breath she saw Peter hanging in the air beside her being carried by one of Tony's suits. "This is so embarrassing," she admitted allowing it to take her to safety.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·

❝ queens, playground ❞

Peter wrung out his mask water drips from it, he was sitting on top a dome with Alina standing with her arm cross leaning against it. Hovering in the air above them was still Tony's suit, "And then he just, he just, like, swooped down like a monster and he picked me up and, uh, he took me up, like, a thousand feet and just dropped me. Alina caught me though, how'd you find us? Did you put a tracker in our suits or something?"

Alina didn't say a word as she watched as Tony suit said, "I put everything in your suits. Including this heater." The Parker boy didn't have her sense of hearing so he couldn't know there was no heartbeat and no one was inside.

It annoyed Alina how warm it was when he turned on her suit, mainly because she was happy to have it. Steam rose from their suits, surrounding them, "Whew, that's better. Thanks."

Peter shivered, his teeth chattering, "What were you thinking?"

"The guy with the wings is obviously the source of the weapons. I gotta take him down," uttered Peter.

She could hear his judgement as he said, "Take him down now, huh? Steady, Crockett, there are people who handle this sort of thing."

"The Avengers," Peter thought as Alina bit her lip trying to keep her mouth shut.

"No, no, no. This is a little below their pay grade," he refused.

Still sitting on top of the dome he carried on saying, "Anyway, Mr. Stark, you didn't have to come all the way out here. We had that. We were fine."

"Oh, I'm not here," he admitted allowing the helmet to open revealing an empty space where Tony's face should have been. "Thank God this place has Wi-Fi or you would be toast right now. Thank Ganesh while you're at it. Look, forget the flying vulture guy, please."

Peter couldn't, it was too much of a risk, "Why," he asked.

Sounding much more like his father than he would've liked Tony snapped, "Why? Because I said so!" Speaking to whoever was around him where he was, he warned, "Sorry, I'm talking to a teenager." Directing himself to Peter he finished, "Stay close to the ground. Build up your game helping little people, like that lady that bought you the churro. Can't you just be a friendly...neighborhood Spider-Man?"

"But I'm ready for more than that now."

"No, you are not," refused Tony.

The empty Iron Man suit closed just as Peter pointed out, "That is not what you thought when I took on Captain America."

"Trust me, kid. If Cap wanted to lay you out, he would've. Listen to me. If you come across these weapons again, call Happy," he ordered them clearly not thinking the were cable of much.

And Alina couldn't stay quiet any longer, "You're an idiot Peter," the boy looked down hurt as she added, "You don't see what's right in front of you do you?"

Jumping down off the dome he asked, "Why don't you explain to me then Lina? You're the genius here so explain what I've done wrong."

"He never cared about helping you become something better," she shouted at him, "He only wanted your help because you were the only person around! He was going against Wanda, her alone could've dismantled his entire team. He used you because he knew Cap would never hurt you because you're a kid. He turned you into his weapon and you don't even realize it!" Looking up at Tony she said, "And you!? You're not even here so why should I even listen to you!?"

"Why are you here Alina? You wanted nothing to do with this and it is taking everything I have to keep the police from finding you," he admitted. Alina wanted to believe Tony cared about her, but it seemed like he was only ever around when there was a fight.

"I'm here because I gave a shit about Peter, and the people who can get hurt cause of their weapons. But you want me to not care? To be heartless and hope the police can do their jobs? Fine, I'll be heartless." Peter watched as her eyes changed and she watched as Tony's suit started to crumble inward. She kept crushing it until there was nothing but a small ball of metal on the ground.

"'Lina," before he could even say much Alina had cut him off.

Holding up her hand she told him, "I'm not giving up, but this is getting to messy. You may not care if you're identity is found out but I do, considering I have war crimes they can still charge me with. I'll see you tomorrow..." In a flash she had pushed off the ground and vanished into the night sky.

Alina's outfit next chapter