(Ash POV)
The hallways of Midtown High had never felt more alive—or more lethal.
It started small. A faint rattling from the vent above our heads, a soft scritch-scratch that barely registered over the morning chaos of lockers slamming and sneakers squeaking. I glanced up. Peter did too, his eyebrows knitting together.
"Uh… did that just move?" Peter whispered.
Before I could answer, the vent cover shattered. Metallic shards rained down in front of Gwen, MJ, and the rest of us. Sparks bounced off the tile. And then it came—the drone.
Eight-legged, blue core glowing, claws sharp enough to shred lockers. It lunged at us like it could smell our fear.
Instinct took over. I shoved Peter sideways, catching MJ's arm before she could hit the ground.
"Thanks!" she gasped, gripping me like I was a lifeline.
"You're welcome!" I yelled back, but I barely had time to breathe.
Jake tripped, right into the drone's path. I grabbed his jacket and yanked him sideways. Sparks flew as the drone's claw slammed into a locker behind us. Noah muttered something about "kinetic displacement vectors" like he was solving a homework problem instead of running for his life.
I had no time for vectors. Only action.
"Move!" I shouted, sprinting toward the cafeteria, dragging MJ with me. Gwen followed, eyes wide, hair bouncing with every step. Peter scrambled to cover the kids, but a drone's claw grazed his shoulder, sparking a small explosion.
I had no powers—yet—but something inside me clicked. My legs, my reflexes, my brain—they all moved faster than I ever thought possible. Peak human, Captain America-style, thanks to TGOB's "premature death perk."
Another drone dropped from the ceiling, targeting Gwen this time. She froze. My body moved before my brain caught up. I lunged, grabbed her wrist, and rolled us out of the way just as the claw slammed into the wall.
"W-what… how did you—" she started, eyes wide.
"No time!" I shouted, helping her to her feet.
The morpher in my bag pulsed faintly. A gentle thrum, almost like it was whispering: This is right.
I didn't understand yet, but I felt it: every person I saved made my chest thrum with purpose. The chaos didn't scare me as much as it exhilarated me.
Another blast from a drone. Sparks showered down around us. I grabbed Ms. Benson, the physics teacher, dragging her behind a desk. She whispered thanks between terrified gasps. "Thank you… thank you…"
"No time!" I snapped, then immediately regretted the harshness. I had no patience left for politeness—only survival.
Jake and Noah followed, helping other kids as we ran. Peter tossed gadgets at drones, his inventions sparking and zapping but buying us time.
I ducked another claw, feeling the cold metal scrape my arm. Pain shot through my body, but I gritted my teeth. Every second I hesitated could cost someone's life.
And then I realized something strange, almost frightening: I liked this. I liked saving people. It felt… right.
Another drone barreled toward MJ, her scream echoing in the hall. I shoved her behind me just in time. Sparks bounced off the floor. Gwen grabbed my arm, steadying herself, eyes wide.
"You're… insane," she muttered, though her lips quivered.
"Maybe," I admitted, though I couldn't stop moving.
Finally, we burst into the gym. Drones weren't slowing down. They were relentless, skittering toward us, claws and energy blazing.
And then, from across the courtyard, I saw him.
Nick Fury. Calm. Calculating. Eye patch gleaming. Arms crossed. Just watching.
The world froze. My chest tightened.
If he sees me… if he knows… is this even safe?
I didn't have an answer. I didn't have time.
I only ran.