Tic

Toc

Tic

Toc

So, it has begun. A terrible fate that was met and reversed will be doomed to repeat itself. A longing for answers will led them all down a road of hurt, betrayal, love, pain, redemption, and hard battles to come. Sides will be chosen, destinies fulfilled.

Tic

Toc

Tic

Toc

I'm waiting for you in this broken world. The one where you took your final stand against the Mad Titan. The world where I sent you away.

Tic

Toc

Tic

Toc

I truly wish you the best, my father.

Godspeed.

Monster:
Lost Memories
--------------------

Elise: The two of you stay safe. The woods is a scary place.

Venom: Isn't that where you and Vic banged for the first time?

Victor: Do you feel like dying now, or after they leave?

Moon: I thought it was on that trip to the museum.

Y/N: Please stop talking.

Molly: Please.

You, Molly, and Robbie were standing in the front yard while your family said their goodbyes. Today was the last day of visiting week but it was also the start of the class trip. Molly's class was going to go to Stark's Space Travel Expo which would be a week long event with guest speakers and events that actually seemed pretty cool.

Robbie: I'll make sure this one stays out of trouble. The little terror is on her own, though.

Molly: That's me!

Victor: No igniting any rockets. I don't want Tony calling me and complaining that one of my kids caused thousands of dollars in damage. Again.

He shot a look at you to which you shrugged. Freshman year was a fun year. You tossed your bag in the trunk of Robbie's car while Molly threw hers in the backseat. While everyone was planning their trips, you and Robbie were planning something else.

Over the week, you had made a group chat between you and the other Strikers where you were thinking of ways to sneak away from the rest of the class to investigate the signal Riri found. And yes, that was a long sentence.

First thing was first, you had to go to the campus. There, everyone will sign in and Widow would drive everyone else to the campsite if they didn't have a car. It was actually against school rules to let students drive to the trip on their own but Widow didn't care. That being said, you, Robbie, Riri, and Laura would be driving behind Widow to the camp site. On the way there, the four of you will talk about your plan.

Y/N: I'll text you guys when we get there.

Victor: Don't text me.

Y/N: Okay. I'll text mom when we get there.

Victor: Good. I don't understand these damn text messages.

Venom: <cough> Boomer <cough>.

Everyone looked at his he clear his throat and looked at Victor.

Venom: Boomer. Sorry. Had to clear my throat.

And with that, you all said goodbye and loaded up into the car. Robbie drove away as Molly picked the radio station.

Robbie: So, Laura and Riri are with us?

Y/N: Yeah. Everyone else should be with Widow.

Robbie: Cool.

You pulled up to the school where you immediately spotted most of your class standing next to the bus. Everyone had jokingly called it Widow's jet due to how fast she always drove it. You said goodbye to Molly and parted aways.

Widow: Glad you two could make it. And I also see you brought your car.

Robbie: Yeah. We were hoping we could take it and follow behind you?

Widow: Sure. You got any alcohol in there?

You and Robbie shook your heads. Widow looked a bit disappointed but marked you as "present" on her clipboard. So far, so good. At least, you hoped so. That was before Widow went to talk to Tandy and Gwendolyn. You saw Gwendolyn smile but shrugged it off and turned to talk to Robbie.

Gwendolyn: Buddy!

She jumped on your back and hung on like a backpack as she smiled.

Gwendolyn: Guess what?

Y/N: What?

Gwendolyn: Widow said me and Tandy are going to go with you and Robbie.

Y/N/Robbie: What?!

That was not part of the plan. Tandy walked over as well with her bag.

Tandy: Widow said she needs two people with you to make sure you don't do anything "that could mess up the school's reputation" or whatever. She asked us.

Robbie: But....what about Riri and Laura? They're pretty responsible.

Gwendolyn: They aren't here yet. So it's just the four of us on the open road! I have a Playlist just for this.

She pulled out her phone and held it in front of you so you could both see.

Y/N: Gwen?

Gwendolyn: Hm?

Y/N: This is just different versions of "Life is a Highway".

Gwendolyn: Yep.

Robbie: I'm not playing that in my car.

Gwendolyn: Buzzkill.

You just sighed.

Y/N: Well, this is gonna be a long roadtrip.

Gwendolyn finally let go of you and threw her bag through the open widow of Robbie's car while Tandy placed hers in the trunk. So much for the plan. Still, you had the group chat. That'll have to do for now.

Your eyes wondered through the crowd to see who was here before they landed on Felicia. You never got the chance to talk to her since right before the break. She seemed to have calmed down a bit since then. She didn't look nearly as pissed off. Though, Doreen wasn't around her either.

You wondered what that was about but it wasn't like you could just ask her. Or....maybe you could? How would you even bring that up? Actually, ever since whatever happened happened, Doreen has been oddly quiet as well. She didn't even send you a message the entire visiting week.

Tandy: So, you ready to go camping?

Robbie: Yeah. It's been a long time since I actually got out into the wild. We even got ourselves a new tent.

Gwendolyn: Oh! I got a new sleeping bag. It looks like a shark.

Tandy: Of course it does.

You leaned against the bus and sighed.

Danny: You look troubled, my friend.

You looked up to see Nadia and Danny walking over to you.

Y/N: Nah. Just tried. How was viking week for you guys?

Danny: Jessica and Luke are doing well. They said to tell you "hello".

Nadia: My mom too. My dad didn't really bring you up. Every time I do, he gets a grey hair.

Hank wasn't your biggest fan but at least he wasn't someone trying to kill you.

Danny: I am must excited to experience this trip outdoors. I also have a plan to present the necklace to Cindy.

Y/N: Let me guess. You're gonna give it to her under the moon?

Danny looked at you with a deadpan face.

Danny: Too cheesy?

Y/N: Absolutely. But that's why it'll work. It's such a "you" thing to do.

Nadia: Besides, Cindy will be happy no matter how you do it.

Danny: You think so?

Y/N: Yeah.

It was like everyone else saw it but them. Jesus. At least you weren't so oblivious.

Nadia: So, Y/N. I was wondering if you'd like to be my partner for star gazing?

Y/N: Oh, I was gonna do that with Miles.

Oh. Guess you were.

Danny gave you a look which immediately told you that you had messed up.

Y/N: But....ah....I don't think he'll mind if I switched. I would love to be your partner.

Nadia smiled which made you smile a bit. However, you found yourself looking over at Felicia.

Felicia was scrolling through her phone while Kate talked to Kamala and Gwen about what they wanted to do. Her mind wasn't really on the trip. The week before visiting week was a rough one. The whole situation with Doreen was just the tip of the iceberg. No. There was much more.

She had felt like something wasn't right. Like someone was watching her. Waiting for her. It has been going in for a while now but she also felt like something was off. She had noticed it when she was walking around campus. Everything looked so new and so clean. Almost fake.

The way people talked suddenly became odd as well. Like they should be talking about something exciting but were instead talking about mundane things.

What really bothered her, was the seemingly weird thoughts she was having. Like her mind was starting to split in two. She always teased and flirted but now she felt like she should be more reserved with herself. Like a whole new side of her was bringing to surface for some reason or another.

She would normally brush this off as her mind helping her cope with what happened with Doreen, but that didn't seem right either. That's not to mention the dreams she was having.

Y/N: Felicia?

Felicia snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of your voice. She didn't even realized you were there or that Kate and Gwen had headed off to find Robbie. Felicia also noticed that she was looking at the same tweet as she was when she spaced out.

Felicia looked at you as you got a bit concerned.

Y/N: Uh, what's up? You excited for this trip?

Felicia shrugged her shoulders as she locked her phone.

Y/N: Camping ain't your thing?

Felicia shrugged again. Man. She really didn't feel like talking.

You looked around at everyone and made sure no one was nearby. You then sighed and turned back to Felicia.

Y/N: Hey, is something up? You're oddly quiet.

Felicia looked at you and you suddenly realized the faint bags under her eyes. That was with the makeup she wore.

Felicia: Yeah. I'm fine. You should go talk to your girlfriend instead. She looks rough too.

Y/N: Woah woah woah! Girlfriend?!

Felicia looked at you like you were an idiot. Were you seriously playing this game right now?

Felicia: Yeah. Doreen.

You and Doreen? What was she talking about. Now you were looking at her like she was the idiot.

Y/N: What are you....

Doreen: Just the two I was looking for!

You and Felicia both jumped at her sudden appearance. She was smiling but it was more of a nervous smile.

Y/N: Jesus! I'm seriously going to start putting a bell on you!

Doreen: Sorry! I just, wanted to talk to you guys. Mostly Felicia but I'm glad you're here to.

Felicia: What else do you have to say to me, Doreen?

Doreen turned to Felicia and took a deep breath.

Doreen: Felicia, I'm sorry. About what happened before the break, I'm seriously sorry.

Y/N: So something did happen?

Felicia crossed her arms and looked at Doreen.

Doreen: Me and Y/N aren't together.

Y/N: That's what I was....wait...what? What the hell is going on right now?

Felicia: What do you...

Doreen: What I said was to intentionally hurt you.

No, seriously. You were lost. What was happening right now?

Felicia: Why?

Doreen: Because I was...jealous. Of you.

Doreen looked back to Viv who gave her a subtle thumbs up.

Felicia: You were jealous of me?

Doreen: Yeah. I mean, you're so open about everything. And I guess I saw how close you were getting with Y/N and I panicked.

Y/N: Should I really be here for this? I can go over there if you...

Felicia: Why would you panic over that?

Doreen hesitated for a moment before she sighed.

Doreen: I like Y/N. And I know you do to. Hell, most the girls in our class do.

You froze up at the sudden news just as Tandy walked by.

Tandy: It's true.

You watched her walk away before you turned back to the other two.

Y/N: I...ah...Robbie? Help me. Robbie?!

Felicia and Doreen ignored your pleas as they looked at each other. That was, something to think about. But, there was more to this.

Felicia: Doreen, you hurt me. A lot. I can't just forgive you for what you did.

Doreen: I know! I-I don't want you to. I just wanted to clear the air between you and Y/N. You guys shouldn't fight because of me.

Y/N: Ah, not really fighting....I think?

Felicia gave it some thought as she looked over at you. What were you supposed to do in this situation?

Felicia: Things between me and him aren't any of your concern. You like him. Fine. I like him. Yeah. But what you did was uncalled for.

Y/N: Seriously. I can leave anytime you guys...

Doreen: I know it was. That's why I'm apologizing. Like I said, I don't want you to forgive me. I just don't want you to be mad at Y/N. He doesn't deserve it.

Y/N: I'm just gonna go now...

Doreen/Felicia: Stay!

Y/N: Yes, ma'ams.

Felicia and Doreen stared each other down while you stood there in anticipation. Then, Felicia grinned.

Felicia: You want him, you have to win him. Just like the rest of us.

Doreen looked confused before she smiled as well.

Doreen: Fine. Consider this war then.

Wait. These weren't friendly smiles. They were, <gasp>, competitive smiles!

Y/N: Don't I have a say in this?

Felicia/Doreen: No!

You whined as you shrunk down under their stares. Why did this fear feel so familiar?

Widow: Alright, everyone! We're heading out. Gwendolyn, Tandy, you two are with Robbie and Y/N. Everyone else, get on the bus.

Riri: Wait....

Robbie: Yeah. Widow pulled a fast one on us. You and Laura are on the bus.

You looked over to your friends to find that Riri and Laura finally showed up. Would've been better if they had showed up earlier like they were supposed to.

Riri: Damn. Sorry. I got caught up with that tracker last night that I slept in.

Laura: I just missed the train cause someone had to pack last minute.

Kitty: I said sorry!

Widow: And I don't care. Get on the bus.

Laura and Riri sighed before they headed onto the bus while you and Robbie walked to Robbie's car.

Gwendolyn: Yeah! Let's get this trip started!

You and Robbie just groaned.
-------------
Across town, in a small bar, Marc sat at the counter with a bottle of gin and a glass of ice. He was the only person in the bar beside the bartender who had dissapered to the back some time ago.

Marc took another drink of his alcohol before the bell above the door rang. He didn't need to look up to see who it was. He was the one who called him here.

Marc: Take a seat.

The man sat down next to his adopted brother as Marc slid him the bottle.

Victor: What's so important that you couldn't tell me at my home?

Marc: I couldn't tell you anything at the house. I don't want Elise knowing. Or anyone else hearing us.

Victor raised a brow as Marc sighed.

Marc: I found something. I was on the phone with Richards....

Victor: What did you find, Marc?

Marc hesitated for a moment before he looked at his brother.

Marc: More cracks. They're happening all over the place.

Victor looked back at the counter before he grabbed the bottle of gin. He had quot drinking a few months ago, but this seemed to be a good time to start again.

Victor: Where?

Marc: We found a few in New York. The tower is one of them. We can't find the other, though.

Victor: What do you mean you can't find the other? And the tower...

Marc: It's been covered up thanks to Tony's, connections. I sent Venom and Banner to check it out. They should have the results by tomorrow.

Victor's grip on the glass bottle got a bit stronger.

Victor: My kids....

Marc: Are safe. There hasn't been any signs of any of the kids experiencing cracks besides the four we found.

Victor: But how much longer can we really pretend that everything is okay? The Pact was made to stop them from finding out about the truth but I don't think it'll stay this way for much longer.

Marc looked at Victor before he nodded.

Marc: While it is true that the cracks are becoming more frequent, I don't think you should go and doubt the Pact. We all agreed to this.

Victor: I know damn well what I agreed to. But, what if this isn't helping them?

Marc was confused.

Victor: Marc, I know what happened to your family in this other world. You lost them and it stuck with you. I had to watch as the man I thought of as a brother broke. I understand you wanting to protect these kids. I know you see Y/N as a son and Molly as a daughter. Hell, you loved all the kids like your family.

Victor then looked at Marc.

Victor: So, exactly what are you willing to sacrifice to make sure they stay safe?

Marc: Everything.

Victor: Even if it costs them their happiness?

Marc was caught off guard by the question. Their happiness? What did that have to do with this? Weren't they already happy?

Victor: Marc, they had lives before. They were happy. Y/N was married and so was Molly. Why should we hide that from them?

Marc slammed his fist on the counter which caused the glass to rattle with intensity.

Marc: Because they all died!

Victor: I know that!

Victor stood up and looked down at his brother.

Victor: I know damn well what happened. That they lost. But they deserve to know...

A bar stool suddenly fell to the floor which echoed through the entire room. Victor also found a sharp blade pointed at his throat, courtesy of Moon Knight.

Marc: The Pact won't be broken, Victor.

Victor glared down at his friend before he grabbed the blade. He then snapped it in two before he threw it to the floor. Though his hand was now bleeding, it was slowly healing.

Victor: If you really care about the Pact so much, then why are you lying to us?

Marc's eyes went wide at Victor's discovery. Marc slowly narrowed his eyes at the larger man before he sighed.

Marc: I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about.

Victor kept his eyes on Marc before he sighed.

Victor: I know about you going behind our backs. Stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours.

Victor then turned to leave while Marc stood there. Victor stopped when he got to the door.

Victor: And if you end up hurting someone, you will pay. Family or not, you will be my enemy.

And with that, he was gone.

Marc clenched his fists before he noticed something missing from his pocket. He soon found the orange and white bottle of medication on the floor. He slowly picked it up and looked at it.

Marc: Happiness?

He then crushed the bottle in his hand before letting what remained fall to the floor.

Marc: Happy or not, I will keep them alive.
-------------
Robbie: You know, the more I hear it, the more it grows on me.

Tandy/Y/N: LIFE IS A HIGHWAY! I WANNA RIDE IT ALL NIGHT LONG~

Gwendolyn: Get it! Get it!

You were driving to the campsite in Robbie's car, with about 3 more hours to go, while blasting Gwendolyn's "Road Trip" Playlist. You were now on version 5 of "Life is a Highway".

Robbie: Kinda wished I had something to drink.

Tandy: Me too. I forgot to pack drinks.

Gwendolyn: Oh! I have some apple juice.

Gwendolyn began to dig through her bag before she pulled out a large container of golden liquid.

Gwendolyn: It's homemade.

She handed the container to you and you shrugged before tilting the container so that you could drink it without touching the actual bottle with your lips.

Then it hit your throat.

Y/N: BLAHH!

Robbie swerved at the sudden outburst while Tandy screamed at you reaction. You began to cough as your throat began to sting at the odd liquid.

Robbie: The hell was that?!

Y/N: ASK HER! THIS ISN'T APPLE JUICE!

Gwendolyn took back the container and took a drink. She then smacked her lips as she tasted it.

Gwendolyn: Oh. Oh no. This is the whiskey.

Y/N/Tandy/Robbie: Whiskey?!

Gwendolyn rubbed her chin in thought.

Gwendolyn: But if I have the whiskey, then that would mean....ah!
--------
Widow: That brat gave me apple juice. I'm not going to survive this trip without killing one of the kids.

Kitty: What was that, Ms. Widow?

Widow: I was just saying that I'm going to have to kill Quentin during this trip.

Quentin: WHAT?!
-------
Y/N: <Sigh>. I'm taking a damn nap. Wake me up when we get there.

While Gwendolyn packed the whiskey back into her bag, you slowly closed your eyes.

And somewhere deep inside, you felt something shatter like glass.

End of Act 2