I didn’t know eyelids could feel so heavy. It took some effort to open my eyes but what I saw when I did was worth the struggle. Mom sat right beside my bed smiling at me for the first time in a long time. It looked like years had been taken off her face. This smile was one of true joy. Strangely there seemed to be random colors floating in the air around her. No not just the air her body gave of faint signals as well. Maybe they’ve got me on some hard drugs?

I moved my head to the right and saw my brother quicksilver smiling. He seemed to be basking in the moment of motherly affection. He too had colors around him but not to my surprise his where silver. Hah! Only he could have such a flashy aura. that’s when I heard a cup drop and splash of liquid hitting the floor.

“you’re awake.” that voice it could only belong to the sweetest girl I know MJ.

10 HOURS EARLIER

Peter Parker and Ned Leeds were standing on a balcony at Flash Thompsons house eagerly awaiting the arrival of MJ.

“Peter are you ready for tonight” Ned said while straightening out his semi-formal shirt.

“Yes. Maybe. No. I don’t know. What do you want from me Ned.” peter couldn’t help but fidget? He had been waiting for this night. A chance. An opportunity. A way to tell Michelle that he like liked her. Well not those exact words but you get what I mean.

“you got to chill out man. Girls can sense weakness”

“no they can’t. Wait can they?”

“yah and right now you reek of it. Peter you are THE SPIDERMAN. What do you have to fear”

“spiders”

“really?”

“Yes really. I got bit by one and almost died remember”

“whatever, you and MJ have been hitting it off right? So what’s the problem”

As Ned asked this question a black ford raptor pulled up the driveway and parked in front of the front lawn.

“Richard Rider” Peter said Richards name with a venomous undertone.

“oh. Fuck that dude. He is a narcissistic asshole who treats everybody like trash. Just because he is Michelle’s BFF doesn’t mean shit. They just grew up together, she probably sees him as a brother” Ned tried his best to downplay Richard and Michelle’s relationship but Peter still had doubts.

“that guy is literally the worst. I wonder what she sees in him?” peter asked aloud hoping Ned had an answer.

“your guess is as good as mine. I think its pity. His mom is one of those brotherhood groupies. She’s obsessed with mutants.im sure MJ saw Richard go through some bad times when they were younger. That’s the only thing that makes sense to me.” Neds answer actually made a bit of sense to Peter.

“Let’s intercept them. Tonight. I’m going to confirm my relationship status with Michelle and you are going to have to suffer through our lovey dovey public displays of affection”

Peter and Ned made their way down the stairs and soon saw MJ and Richard talking. Peter thought He had tried to get her drunk when he heard Richard push her into drinking like a creeper.

As if by divine intervention the song treats you better by Shawn Mendes started playing on the speakers. It was about to go down.

The next minute was like a blur to Peter. He had tried being friendly but Richard wouldn’t have any of it. peter tried to resist Richards provocations but that ended up with Richard getting mad and attacking him.

Bad move on Richards part. He didn’t know about my powers. His punches were slow thanks to Peters heightened perception but Peter could tell that Richard had technique. Richard threw another telegraphed punch but suddenly leaned forward into a tackle. The sudden shock of falling for a feint triggered a reflex Peter had trained while being Spiderman and he kicked Richard across the room by mistake.

Peter couldn’t believe what he had done. Ned was enjoying the glorious revenge that was cast upon Richard. MJ was conflicted. Finding out peter was a mutant was a big surprise but watching Richard start a fight for no reason confused her more.

Just as she was still trying to process what happened. Richard started running towards Peter.

She reacted the only way she knew how. She decked her best friend. The look on Richards face when he realized that it was her who had hit him, shook her to the core. She hard hurt him. Not physically but emotionally. The one thing she promised she would never do to Richard. His mother had already hurt him enough and know she had left a scar.

Richard ran away as the crowd jeered at him. Ned had coined the phrase dick rider. MJ tried to stop them but no one listened. Richard got into the car and sped off.

“fuck!” MJ couldn’t believe what happened. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see Peter with an apologetic look on his face.

“we need to talk. NOW” MJ pulled on Peters sleeve and led him up the stairs. As soon as they were in an isolated room peter spoke up.

“I can explain!”

“start talking”

“I’m Spiderman”

“...” “WHAT!”

“I’m Spiderman. The hero. you know. From YouTube. that’s me”

“ok, first off wow and secondly what the fuck do you think you were doing. Why did you kick his ass if you had such an advantage?”

“you might not like the answer”

“tell me”

“he deserved it and you know it. Plus, I had everything under control but he must have had martial arts training or something because he caught me by surprise with that feint”

“mixed martial arts and krav maga. His mother trained us. Actually she trained him and he trained me but whatever. I get your excuse” MJ couldn’t believe how things had gotten out of hand. She didn’t know how to begin to process the night’s events.

“I love you MJ” Peter grabbed Michelle’s arms and confessed while staring into her eyes

“Peter I…. I don’t know. I I’m confused” MJ couldn’t think of what to say she did like Peter but after tonight how would Richard react if he saw them together.

“I clear everything up for you” Peter leaned in and kissed Michelle. They kissed passionately until MJ pulled back

“I am so screwed. What will I tell Richard?” MJ knew Peter was the one.

“we’ll sort that out later. Let’s go downstairs and enjoy the night” Peter wrapped his arm around MJ and walked down the stairs with her.

“heeey everyone check it out. Peter knocked down Dick and took his girl.” Flash announced on the speakers while MJ and Peter came into everyone’s view. Everyone except the football team cheered.

Peter lead MJ into the middle of the room and ignored what everyone else had to say. “let them make their own narrative. As long as we know what happened then it will all work out” he whispered these reassuring words into MJ’s ear as they started to slow dance.

20 minutes later Peter MJ and Ned where drinking punch by the pool when a sudden commotion came from the inside of the house. Next thing they knew a man wearing all silver appeared out of nowhere.

“it’s an enhanced Michelle Ned get behind me!” peter shouted while he jumped in front of the intruder.

Everyone in the house rushed outside to see what was going on. Sure mutants were dangerous but they were drunk and fear had left them ages ago.

“quicksilver why are you here. Did Richard send you to fight Peter!” MJ shouted at quicksilver with rage dripping within every word. She felt humiliated. Had Richard sunk so low that he would ask his kindhearted brother to beat up anyone she liked.

Everyone froze when they saw the familiarity in which Michelle addressed this teleporting maniac. They now knew this ‘quicksilver’ was Richards brother. Flash shouted out “oooooh Parker you are so fucked now!”

“I’m not here about some lovers spat. Richard got into an accident. It was bad. He’s at the hospital fighting for his life. I’m here to pick you up” quicksilvers words quieted the crowd.

MJ stepped forward with tears in her eyes. “Take me to him” and with her words quicksilver appeared behind her and placed his hand on the back of her heard. Just like that they disappeared.

Peter and Ned looked lost. they felt guilty about Richard.

“did we do this him?” Peter asked Ned and for the first time that night he didn’t have a response.

PRESENT

“MJ. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to fight Peter. I stopped taking my medication and you know how I get when I’m off my meds” the first words out of my mouth were directed towards MJ. My mother frowned. She seemed annoyed. How ironic, mom jealous from not getting my attention. What bizarre world did I wake up in.?

MJ couldn’t reply. She just started crying. “Richard I’m sorry” no no no don’t cry. I hate it when you cry. I just want to see your smile again.

“don’t bother worrying about the feelings of a mere human girl” my mother spoke up. She sounded sickened by the scene in front of her. The way she said human though. Damn mom I’d call you a racist if you weren’t one of those humans yourself.

“Son. My beautiful blessing you must still be confused from your ascension into godhood. You have become one of the chosen.” there goes mom with her mutant speeches that are expressed with religious fervor. Wait did she say I ascended.

“how did you know I got my powers?” I asked my voice still shaky. Damn I need a glass of water.

“oh I’ve been waiting for this moment since you got out of the operating room.” mom seemed giddy. Like a child hiding a secret. She reached inside her handbag and pulled out a mirror. I was shocked to see that my eyes and hair where now various shades of green. The fluctuated seeming almost as if they were alive.

As the realization that I was a mutant now set in I couldn’t stop myself from crying. I wonder what my powers are?

[judging from your vision I would say you are viewing energy fluctuations. Mainly magnetic and electrical ones]

So I might have powers similar to my old man huh? Wonder what he would say to that.

[we have no data to calculate any possible responses]

No I wasn’t talking to you I was just thinking to myself.

[you seem to do that quite often. Always forming a narrative within your mind]

don’t worry it helps keep my head on straight I’m Bipolar so it helps keep my emotions in check if I think more.

[searching internet for meaning of bipolar. Done. You have a mental disease do you with for me to release neural inhibitors to control your emotions]

Hell no. I can say I am who I am because of my flaws and perfections rolled into one. I do not permit you to control my emotions.

[fine. Your suit is ready by the way I have converted it into the hospital gown you are currently wearing. But I warn you. When your suit is not in combat mode its defense is weak. Barely better than that the earth garment you call a bullet proof vest]

My mother must have interpreted my silence as acceptance. She smiled and asked me “have you thought about your mutant name yet”

I couldn’t stop myself, from the moment I found out my powers were magnetic I knew what my name had to be. The hardest part of my life and yet the most meaningful.

“My name is POLARIS!”