Spider-X: A Spider-Man Story

Chapter 6: The Rest of the Lot

'When will people wake up and realize that everywhere Spider-Man goes, chaos and calamity ensue?'

The words ring in Peter's ears as he wakes up. A heaviness settles on his chest as he blinks the last of sleep away and sits up. Sunlight glares through his window, he must have slept through dinner and all night. He tenses at the sound of feet running outside his door, but relaxes when they pass.

People aren't running frightened, or running at him, they're running joyfully, like kids running through the halls. Peter smells food from the kitchen and grabs a towel to go take a shower before breakfast. The thought of food makes his mouth water.

By the time Peter finishes his shower, dresses in the clothes he came in, the only ones he has, and finds the dining room, the table is filled with people.

"Good morning, Peter," Ororo says from the head of the table.

The conversation stops as everyone turns to inspect the new kid. Peter waves good naturedly. "Hey everyone." He spots the mounds of food laid out on the table. Eggs, pancakes, waffles, bacon, sausage, bagels, fruit... his mouth waters and stomach grumbles in tandem.

He takes a seat beside Bobby, who hands him a plate with a little of everything. Halfway through shoveling the food in his mouth, Peter realizes eyes are still on him.

"We have some new clothes and personal items for you, Peter," Ororo says, sipping her coffee, "and you'll start school tomorrow with the others."

"Thank you," Peter says gratefully.

"Aside from Peter, I'll see you all this afternoon for a training exercise." Then Ororo takes her coffee and exits the dining room.

Around the table sits Jean, Kitty, and Bobby, who he knows, but there's another boy his age, and two other girls. One has dark hair, pale skin, and gloves up to her elbows while the other is younger, maybe thirteen with spiky black hair. They're both staring at him.

"Do you really have superstrength?" The young one asks. Peter nods.

"Cool," Bobby says, "show us."

"Um," Peter looks around, he's not going to break the table or destroy property, at least not on his first day. He holds up his fork instead and crushes it into a ball in his hand. Excited murmurs go around the table. "Do none of you have superstrength?" On his Earth, superstrength is one of the common denominators of the Avengers. But everyone around the table shakes their head.

"Nah, I'm an ice man," Bobby says proudly.

"I density shift," Kitty says from her seat across from Peter.

"Oh, like Vi-" Peter cuts himself off before he accidentally has to explain a sentient Infinity Stone Avenger. "Like phasing through walls, right?" Kitty sits back, surprised at Peter's knowledge, but she nods. "Cool."

Kitty blushes a little. "Yeah, well, um, Jean has telepathy and telekinesis."

Peter looks at Jean, who's stirring her cereal with way too much concentration. "You can read minds too?"

"Hypothetically," she answers neutrally. Peter doesn't push.

"And this is Jubilee, Scott, and Rogue," Kitty introduces the young girl with spiky black hair, the guy with sunglasses on, and the girl wearing gloves.

"I can do this!" Jubilee says excitedly. She holds her hands out and concentrates. After a second, small clusters of fireworks go off between her hands. "I'm not allowed to do it any bigger at the table because I accidentally blow stuff up."

"Noted." Peter shifts his gaze to the girl, Rogue.

She pushes back from the table, "my powers aren't show and tell friendly." She walks out of the dining room.

Great, Parker, you've been here two minutes and someone's pissed at you.

"Don't mind Rogue," the boy, Scott said, "we all go through different stuff with our powers. I've got optic blasts. Also can't really demonstrate right now, but once you start training with us, you'll see."

Hence the sunglasses, Peter thinks. He wonders what they're made out of to keep from shattering from the force of his powers. He makes a note to ask someone later. "Wicked cool. So you all go to Midtown?"

"Except Jubilee," Bobby teases and ruffles Jubilee's hair, "she's still in middle school."

"Get off, Bobby!"

Peter smiles at the interaction. It's affectionate. These kids feel safe here. Maybe Peter can too.
"No need to be worried, it's like, just high school. You'll be fine," Kitty says, obviously reading his expression as nerves about school the next day.

It's sweet, even though Peter was thinking about how he could get access to their chem and robotics lab, if this Midtown has those. It would make making new web shooters and web fluid a lot easier. But he still appreciates the support.

"Thanks, Kitty."

Scott checks his phone and gets up from the table. "We're headed to training. Feel free to explore and settle in." The rest of the lot leave the dining room, leaving Peter to finish his breakfast.