chapter twenty-one:
❛ the sewers ❜

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Gwen swung through the twisting, narrow streets of Prague, her eyes scanning the area below, searching for Peter. Her heart raced as she replayed his message in her mind-it was cryptic, out of character. He'd texted her, "It's time," without any further explanation, and she had dropped everything to find him.

Finally, she caught sight of Peter's figure dropping down from a nearby rooftop into a shadowed alley. Wasting no time, she followed, flipping through the air and landing softly in front of him.

"What's going on?" Gwen asked, her voice carrying a note of urgency. "You texted me saying it was time."

Peter looked at her, genuinely puzzled. "No, I didn't... We still have a few hours." His words hung in the air, and Gwen felt her confusion deepen. Something wasn't right.

Frowning, she tapped the spider emblem on her suit, which immediately responded, causing her suit to retract and deflate around her, leaving her in her everyday clothes. She pulled out her phone and showed him the message. "Look, right here. That's from you, right?"

Peter leaned in, squinting at the screen. After a moment, he shook his head. "I didn't send you that..." he said slowly, trailing off as his eyes drifted away in thought. "Who could've...?"

Gwen's eyebrows shot up as she tried to make sense of it. She tucked her phone away, biting her lip. "What the hell?" she muttered, more to herself than to him.

Peter's words seemed to prompt her to share something else. She took a breath, suddenly unsure. "I had... something weird happen to me too," she began cautiously, her voice laced with apprehension.

Peter's gaze sharpened, clearly intrigued and concerned. "What do you mean?"

Gwen swallowed, then continued, her voice steady but low. "I was in my hotel room. I'd just put on my suit, getting ready for tonight. I walked out of the bathroom and... suddenly I was somewhere else. It was like a simulation. I was back home," she said, her voice tightening with emotion as she continued. "And I saw my brother..."

She looked away for a moment, gathering herself, then glanced back at Peter, her eyes full of urgency. "He was there, in front of me, just like I remembered him. But before I could reach him, something... some kind of tentacle wrapped around him and pulled him away." She stopped, trying to find words for the strange, helpless fear she'd felt. "I jumped out the window to chase after him, but then... I was just back in the streets here in Prague. Like none of it had happened."

Peter's expression darkened, absorbing her words with intense focus. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his dark, reflective glasses, slipping them on with a sense of purpose.

"EDITH," he said, addressing the AI embedded in the glasses, his tone decisive, "I need a way to keep my friends inside tonight. Can you help?"

There was a brief pause before EDITH's calm, controlled voice replied, filling the silence between them. "Accessing security options now," she responded, her tone as steady as ever.

Gwen and Peter sat at the back of the hotel lobby, trying to blend into the shadows while Mr. Harrington and Dr. Dell stood at the front of the room, gathering everyone's attention. The two teachers had been whispering with gleeful excitement, and now, as Mr. Harrington stepped forward, he clapped his hands together with a broad, eager smile that only made the students more suspicious.

"Alright, everyone!" he called out. "Good news! Tonight, we're all going to the opera!"

The announcement dropped like a lead weight. There was a brief, stunned silence before everyone began to voice their displeasure.

"The opera?" Betty's voice cut through the protests, her face crinkling in confusion and dismay. She looked around the room, hoping to catch someone's eye who felt the same way.

"Don't look at me," Dr. Dell said with a shrug, raising his hands as if to wash them of any responsibility. "I'm just as surprised as you all are."

"But-what happened to the carnival?" MJ interjected, her tone sharp and annoyed. She shot a disbelieving look at Mr. Harrington, who was grinning so widely it was as if he'd just won the lottery.

"Come on, everyone!" Mr. Harrington said, trying to maintain his upbeat attitude despite the grumbling. "This is upgrade living!" He waved a handful of tickets, fanning them out like they were golden treasures. "The tour company just gave us these tickets. For free! Do you guys have any idea how much opera tickets cost?"

The group exchanged unamused glances, unimpressed by his enthusiasm.

"No, because none of us have ever wanted to go to the opera. Ever," Flash muttered, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes.

"I think it's going to be culturally enriching for us," Ned piped up, trying to sound as supportive as possible, though his voice wavered. His eyes darted over to Peter and Gwen, who nodded slightly, managing polite smiles. They knew this opera detour was exactly what they'd needed to keep everyone out of harm's way.

"Thank you, Ned," Mr. Harrington said, visibly relieved to have even one person on his side. "Everyone, I'm telling you, this is going to be the best four hours of our whole trip! A real cultural experience!"

"Four hours?!" the students exclaimed, their voices overlapping in horror. The idea of being confined in an opera house for that long seemed more like torture than an opportunity for cultural enrichment.

Ned turned to face the group, still trying to rally them despite his own lack of enthusiasm. "Guys, I think this is gonna be really fun. Seriously," he said, forcing a smile. "When else are we gonna get to say we went to an opera in Europe?"

The rest of the students groaned, clearly unconvinced. Even Betty and MJ, who usually tried to stay positive, looked resigned to their fate.

Meanwhile, Peter and Gwen exchanged a silent look. Both were trying not to seem too relieved, but they could feel the tension draining from their shoulders. The opera was perfect-it would keep everyone inside, away from any potential danger, exactly as they'd hoped.

Peter leaned over and whispered, "Looks like the night's covered after all."

Gwen smirked, unable to hide her amusement. "Guess we just have to survive four hours of high notes and tragic love stories," she murmured back, her eyes glinting with mischief.

As the group began gathering their things, preparing to head back to their rooms before the opera, Peter and Gwen shared one last look, an unspoken promise in their shared gaze. Tonight, while their friends sat in a safe, dark theater, they'd finally have a chance to figure out what was really going on.

As the group made their way into the opera house, Peter and Gwen lagged slightly behind. Just as they stepped into the grand lobby-filled with marble floors, gilded columns, and soaring ceilings-they heard a crackle in their earpieces.

"Parker, White Spider, do you copy? Comm check, one, two," Maria Hill's voice came through, clear and professional.

Peter subtly brought his hand up to his ear. "We copy," he whispered, glancing around to make sure no one was paying attention.

Gwen nodded, echoing him. "Copy that," she muttered under her breath. They had been expecting the call, but it still gave her a jolt, reminding her that this wasn't just an evening out with friends-it was a mission.

Just then, she felt someone's gaze on her. Looking up, she saw Brad watching her with a smirk. His eyes trailed over her casual outfit, his smug expression only growing as he stepped closer.

"Hey, I'll save you a seat," he said, his tone dripping with a faux friendliness that made her want to roll her eyes.

Gwen forced a sarcastic smile, barely hiding her distaste. "Thanks, Brad," she replied flatly, watching him stroll away with an annoying confidence. As she turned back, Peter joined her side, casting Brad an irritated look before focusing back on her.

He took in her outfit-she was in her signature crop-top and jeans, casual and unapologetic while the others were dressed in evening wear. "Didn't get the memo about the dress code, huh?" he teased, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Gwen raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "I don't do 'fancy,' Parker. Are you ready for this?" she whispered, keeping her voice low as she glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping.

Peter looked at her for a moment, his expression softening. "You look really pretty, you know," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Caught off guard, Gwen's tough exterior faltered for a second, and a shy smile crept onto her face. She quickly tried to play it off, giving him a light smack on the chest. "Sure, Parker. You look... handsome," she replied, attempting to sound casual, though she could feel her cheeks warming. She didn't expect him to catch her off guard like that, especially not right before a mission.

Peter blushed, rubbing the back of his neck with a small, sheepish smile. For a moment, they simply looked at each other, caught up in the unspoken tension between them. Behind them, Ned and Betty were giggling over a pair of opera glasses, completely oblivious to the exchange. Peter and Gwen shared an amused look, finding a small bit of comfort in their friends' normalcy.

But then, a voice cut through the quiet moment in their earpieces, bringing them back to the task at hand. Nick Fury's gruff tone echoed in their ears, breaking the spell. "Are you in positions?"

Gwen and Peter exchanged a quick, almost guilty look. "No," Peter replied, wincing as he braced himself for Fury's reaction.

"Why the hell not? Parker? White Spider?" Fury's frustration was clear in his tone.

"We're going now," Gwen answered quickly, her voice firm with determination. She gave Peter a nod, and they split up, heading to their assigned positions inside the opera house.

Peter was tasked with covering the west wing, while Gwen was to monitor the east wing. They slipped into the darkened hallways, the opulent surroundings a stark contrast to the serious mission at hand. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, casting glimmering reflections onto the marble floors, and the faint sounds of opera music began to filter through the walls as the performance started.

As she moved down the hall, Gwen's senses were on high alert. She kept close to the walls, her gaze sweeping over every shadow, every corner. She could feel the tension building, the weight of responsibility settling on her shoulders. She knew that keeping their friends safe tonight was on her and Peter, and she wasn't going to let anything slip through.

In the west wing, Peter did the same, his eyes sharp and focused, scanning for any signs of trouble. He could hear the murmur of the crowd settling into their seats, the rustle of programs, and the soft notes of the orchestra warming up. Every sound seemed heightened, every movement scrutinized. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, aware that he and Gwen were now both protector and spy, working to keep their friends blissfully unaware of the potential danger lurking nearby.

As they moved to their positions, they shared one final glance across the crowded room-a silent promise that they had each other's backs, no matter what happened tonight.

The Prague night was quiet, too quiet, with only the distant sounds of traffic and the occasional echo of voices drifting from the city streets below. Gwen crouched on the rooftop of a tall, shadowy building, her dark leather suit blending perfectly into the night. Fury had provided the suit, a sleek and tactical upgrade tailored specifically for this mission, outfitted with reinforced fibers and stealth technology that made her practically invisible in the darkness. She could feel the city's pulse beneath her, each hum of activity amplifying her own tension as she surveyed her surroundings.

Somewhere a few blocks over, she knew Peter was also in position, similarly clad in his own dark leather suit, his outline just barely visible as he moved like a shadow across a nearby rooftop. They hadn't spoken much since she had rushed off to investigate the strange sight she'd seen. But there was something nagging at her, pulling her attention to the distant movement on the horizon.

Gwen's focus narrowed as her eyes caught something-small, dark figures moving with unsettling precision against the moonlit sky. She squinted, tracking them, trying to make out what exactly they were. A chill ran down her spine as the realization settled in-drones. Sleek, metallic, and ominous, gliding through the air in perfect formation. Her heart rate quickened. The unease crept in slowly, her instincts screaming that something was very wrong.

Fury's voice crackled in her ear. "Get ready, Parker and White Spider," he said, the urgency in his tone unmistakable.

She didn't respond. Her eyes were locked on the drones, her instincts telling her to follow. They were moving with purpose, and she was determined to find out where they were headed.

"Gwen, don't-wait!" Peter's voice came through her comm, laced with concern. She could hear him moving closer, trying to catch up. But her curiosity-and the growing sense of urgency-pushed her forward.

Without a second thought, Gwen shot out a web to the next building, swinging after the drones with smooth, practiced precision. The night air whipped past her, and the world around her blurred as she closed in on the formation. Her body moved on instinct, each swing, flip, and turn propelling her faster through the city.

"Gwen!" Peter's voice rang out again, but she was too focused to respond. She had to keep moving; she was so close. Just as she neared the drones, they suddenly halted mid-air, hovering as if they had sensed her presence. The red lights on their metallic bodies flickered, each one rotating to face her. A beat of silence hung in the air, and then the drones surged forward, breaking formation and racing toward her like missiles.

Gwen's spider-sense flared, and she twisted in mid-air, dodging the first blast that zipped past her. She released her web, flipping to the side, barely avoiding another burst of energy that seared the air beside her. Her pulse pounded as she shot another web to stabilize herself, swinging around and using the momentum to kick a drone that had gotten too close. It spiraled out of control, slamming into the side of a building with a loud crash.

Another drone came at her, and she shot a web to ensnare it, yanking it down and smashing it into the ground below. But the remaining drones weren't backing off. They regrouped, positioning themselves in a line, their blasters pointed directly at her. She could feel the intensity of their sensors on her, the red lights growing brighter as they prepared to fire in unison.

In a split-second decision, Gwen dropped from her web line, free-falling between the buildings. The sudden movement threw off the drones' aim, and their combined blast tore through the space where she had been only moments before. She twisted mid-fall, shooting out another web and swinging away just as the explosion erupted behind her, sending fragments of concrete and metal raining down.

But she wasn't fast enough to dodge the next blast. A searing shot hit the wall above her, and the shockwave threw her off balance. Her web snapped, and she felt herself plummet, unable to regain her footing as she crashed through a metal grate and plunged into darkness.

She landed with a splash in freezing, murky water, the impact sending a jolt of pain through her body. For a moment, she was disoriented, struggling to regain her senses as she pushed herself up from the water. She realized with a start that she was in the sewers, the stench and darkness pressing down on her from every side.

Gwen tried to activate her suit, but something was wrong-she was back in her regular clothes, soaked to the bone, her suit somehow stripped away. Panic started to creep in as she took in her surroundings. The water around her was rising, sloshing against the stone walls as it crept higher and higher.

She glanced up and saw the metal hatch above her, her only way out. With a shaky breath, she shot a web at the latch, pulling with all her strength. But it didn't move. She yanked again, putting every ounce of energy into it, but the metal held firm, unyielding.

The water was at her shoulders now, cold and unforgiving as it continued to rise. She felt her pulse quicken, panic starting to claw its way up her throat. She pounded on the hatch, her fists slamming against the unyielding metal as she screamed, "Help! Somebody!"

But her voice was swallowed by the darkness, the sound muffled by the thick walls around her. The water reached her chin, and she had to tilt her head back, her breaths coming in short, desperate gasps as she fought to keep her head above the surface.

"Peter!" she screamed, her voice cracking, but there was no answer. Her limbs grew heavy, the cold seeping into her bones as the water rose higher, slipping over her mouth and nose. She took one last, deep breath before the water submerged her completely.

She struggled, holding her breath, her lungs burning as she clawed at the walls, desperate for a way out.

Gwen's vision started to blur, her chest aching as she fought to hold onto the last bit of air. The freezing water pressed in around her, her limbs growing heavier with every second. She strained, her fingers scraping the walls as she tried to find some grip, something to pull herself up, but it was no use. The darkness felt overwhelming, pressing in on her from every angle, filling her mind with a hazy panic.

Her lungs screamed for air, and finally, her body betrayed her, instinctively pulling in a breath. Cold water rushed in, choking her as her body convulsed, and she felt herself beginning to slip away. Just as her vision faded, she saw a flash of light from above.

Then, she felt something-a grip on her arm, firm and strong, pulling her up with a force she couldn't have summoned herself. She felt herself break through the surface of the water, and her chest heaved as air flooded her lungs. She coughed and gasped, the cold night air biting her skin as she felt herself being hoisted up out of the sewer.

She blinked, trying to clear her vision, and when her eyes focused, she saw Peter leaning over her, his expression tense with worry.

"Gwen! Gwen, are you okay?" Peter's voice was shaky, his hands still gripping her shoulders.

She coughed again, water spilling from her mouth as she struggled to catch her breath. Her fingers tightened around his arm as she nodded, though the words didn't come immediately. Finally, she managed to choke out, "I...I thought I was done for."

Peter pulled her into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around her as if he was afraid she'd slip away again. She clung to him, her body still shivering as she tried to process what had just happened. After a moment, she leaned back, looking up at him, her eyes wide and shaken.

"I... I think someone is trying to stop me from helping you," she whispered, her voice raw with exhaustion and fear. "They knew I'd go after those drones. It's like they set a trap, just to keep me out of the way."

Peter's eyes darkened, and he gave her a grim nod. "You're not doing this alone, okay? Whoever's behind this... we'll take them on together. I'm not letting anything happen to you, Gwen."

They sat there in silence for a few moments, the cold night air settling around them as the weight of the situation sank in. Finally, Peter stood, offering her a hand to help her up. She took it, steadying herself as she rose, her legs still a bit shaky.

"Did you... stop it?"

Peter nodded. "Not me. Mysterio did."

Gwen got this weird gut feeling. Mysterio.

ASH SPEAKS!

mysterio... what are you up to?

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)