1 week after the incident
Location: Forest Hills, New York City
Timeline: March 17, 1949.
Time:5pm
My name is Mark Fletcher, also known as Nightwing. I found myself in Michael's house, sitting with him in his room. He's my best friend, Michael Wilson, AKA Spider-Man. I already knew everything about the recent incidents. His dad knows his secret, and my sister, Mary Rose Fletcher, knows too. And would you believe it? Mary and Michael are now a couple. I couldn't help but feel happy for both of them, seeing my sister's unrequited love finally come true and my best friend no longer single. (I chuckled at the thought.)
"Hey, Mike," I greeted my best friend, Michael, as we sat in his room.
"What's with the 'Mike'?" he teased.
"You know, feeling happy for you, man," I replied with a chuckle, referring to his newfound relationship with my sister, Mary.
Michael chuckled in response before asking, "Anyway, are you ready for your family gathering with Emily? You know she wants you to be there for her."
"Yeah, I know, but I'm afraid, Michael," I confessed, feeling anxious. "You know, Emily's family is rich, and I don't know if they'll accept me, especially her mother's side, the Felcoms."
Michael reassured me, saying, "Hey, what's up with your mood? Just chill, man. The Felcoms are known for their kindness. That's why Emily's mother is so humble despite being rich."
With Michael's reassurance, I felt a bit more at ease. He had a way of calming my nerves, even in the face of uncertainty.
"You're right, Michael," I replied, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "Thanks for always being there."
Michael grinned, giving me a playful punch on the shoulder. "That's what friends are for, Mark. Now, go show Emily's family what a great guy you are."
"You're right, Michael," I agreed, feeling a sense of calm wash over me. "I better get going before I'm late for the family gathering."
As I prepared to head out, Michael's voice stopped me in my tracks. "Mark, did you remember to put your Nightwing suit on under your fancy clothes?"
I couldn't help but chuckle at his concern. "Don't worry, Michael," I reassured him with a grin. "I've got my Nightwing suit on standby, even if I'm dressed to impress."
I said confidently, giving him a thumbs-up. "I've got this under control. Now, wish me luck!"
Michael laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, just making sure.
I nodded and with a quick goodbye to Michael, I hurried out of his room, eager to join Emily and her family for what promised to be an eventful evening.
As I arrived at the Hawkins residence, a sense of anticipation and nervousness washed over me. Emily greeted me at the door with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Mark, I'm so glad you could make it," she said, her voice filled with genuine happiness.
"Come on, for you I wouldn't miss it for the world," I replied, returning her smile.
"You jest," Emily said, her cheeks flushing pink with embarrassment.
Walking into the grand mansion, I couldn't ignore the fancy surroundings. Emily's Mother side, the Felcoms, were super wealthy and important, and I felt kinda small compared to all that.
As Emily led me through the grand halls, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being out of place. Emily's dad, Gary Hawkins, didn't say much, but his eyes seemed to size me up. It took me about a year for us to know each other better, but I could tell he finally accepted me for who I am.
"Hello, sir, how have you been?" I greeted nervously as Emily's father approached.
"I'm good, kid," he replied with a reassuring smile.
As we having a conversation, the Felcoms family suddenly appeared before us. Among them was Diana Felcoms, Sharon Hawkins' mother, elegant and graceful, with a warm smile that instantly put me at ease. Beside her stood Geral Felcoms, Sharon's father, a distinguished gentleman who exuded an air of sophistication.
"So, this must be Emily's boyfriend," Diana Felcoms remarked warmly, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"Yes, indeed," Emily confirmed proudly, intertwining her fingers with mine.
I couldn't help but feel a wave of relief as Diana and Geral Felcoms greeted me with genuine warmth and friendliness. Despite their wealth and status, they treated me with kindness and respect, instantly easing my nerves.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both Ma'am and Sir," I replied, extending my hand to shake theirs. "Thank you for welcoming me into your home."
As the evening progressed, I found myself immersed in lively conversations with Emily's family. Even though I was nervous at first, but they were super friendly and made me feel right at home. Geral Felcoms talked about his business stuff, Diana Felcoms shared stories about all the good deeds she does around town, and Mela Hawkins, Emily's little sis, had us cracking up with her jokes and giggles.
Diana Felcoms rose from her seat, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "I have an announcement to make" she said cheerfully. "Today, we're all in for a treat because we'll get to see my lovely granddaughter shine."
Emily blushed at her grandmother's words, her smile widening as she stood up, her hands trembling slightly. "I will be performing a piano piece that I've been practicing," she announced, her voice filled with both nervousness and excitement to execute her performace to them.
As Emily sat at the piano, and suddenly, silence enveloped the room. Everyone held their breath, waiting in anticipation.
[K- CAS]
A Dsus2 G G/F#
I remember when I first noticed that you liked me back
Em7 A Dsus2 G G/F#
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
We were sitting down in a restaurant waiting for the check
Em7 A Dsus2 G G/F#
We had made love earlier that day with no strings attached
Em7 A Dsus2 G G/F#
But I could tell that something had changed how you looked at me then
[Verse 2]
Em7 A Dsus2 G G/F#
And on the Lower East Side you're dancing with me now
Em7 A Dsus2 G G/F#
And I'm taking pictures of you with flowers on the wall
Em7 A Dsus2 G G/F#
Think I like you best when you're dressed in black from head to toe
Em7 A Dsus2 G G/F#
Think I like you best when you're just with me And no one else
[Verse 3]
Em7 A Dsus2 G G/F#
And I'm kissing you lying in my room
Em7 A Dsus2 G G/F#
Holding you until you fall asleep
Em7 A Dsus2 G G/F#
And it's just as good as I knew it would be
Em7 A Dsus2 G G/F#
Stay with me I don't want you to leave
With each note she played, she transported us all to another world, her music filling the room with its beauty and grace. and as she reached the final chord, the room erupted into applause, We couldn't help but marvel at Emily's incredible talent, our hearts overflowing with admiration and awe.
As the applause died down, Emily returned to her seat, a blush still lingering on her cheeks. I couldn't help but admire her grace and talent, feeling a swell of pride in my heart.
"That was amazing, Emily," I whispered, leaning close to her. "You never cease to amaze me."
Emily smiled shyly, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "Thanks, Mark," she replied softly. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."
Before we could continue our conversation, a commotion broke out across the room. People were murmuring and pointing towards the entrance, their expressions filled with concern.
"What's going on?" I asked, glancing around anxiously.
Emily's father, Gary, stood up from his seat, his expression grim. "It seems we have some uninvited guests," he said, his voice tense with worry.
As the situation unfolded, it became clear that there were three intruders, each wearing a mask. Their sudden appearance killed the vibe of the party, and you could feel tension spreading like wildfire.
"Why are they here?" I wondered aloud, my mind racing with possibilities. "Are they trying to disrupt this family gathering?"
Just as I was processing the situation, one of the criminals chimed in,his tone dripping with malice. "Sorry, Felcoms and Hawkins folks," he sneered, his smirk under his mask Makes me wants to punch him. "But we're just here to do our thing."
It was obvious that the criminals were after the Felcoms family because they were rich. With their wealth and status, they were an easy target for those looking to exploit their riches.
With the danger right in front of us, I steeled myself for what was coming next. I couldn't stand by and let these thugs ruin the evening for Emily, her family, and everyone else here. It was time to step up, take action, and restore calm to the gathering.
Thankfully, I had some smoke bombs stashed away in my pocket for emergency like this.I grabbed one and tossed it on the ground, creating a thick fog that hid my next moves.
Luckily, Emily and the others didn't catch onto the fact that I tossed the smoke bomb. With the thick smoke clouding their vision, they were too preoccupied with keeping safe to notice my actions. Keeping my Nightwing identity under wraps was essential, especially now. With everyone distracted, I could focus on dealing with the criminals without blowing my cover.
......
[Emily side]
Emily and the others coughed and sputtered as the smoke enveloped the room, their voices filled with confusion and worry.
As the smoke filled the room, Emily's heart raced with concern. She instinctively reached out to her family, ensuring they were safe amidst the chaos. "What's happening?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
Her mother, Sharon Hawkins, scanned the surroundings with a mixture of worry and confusion. "Is everyone alright?" she asked, her tone laced with concern.
Gary Hawkins, Emily's dad, stayed calm but watchful. "Stay together, everyone," he said firmly, his voice steady despite the tension. "Let's stick together until we know what's happening."
Despite the confusion, Emily couldn't shake the feeling that Mark was somehow behind the smoke bomb. She shot a quick glance in his direction. Yet, rather than dwelling on it, Emily remained focused on keeping her family safe, prioritizing their well-being above all else.
As the chaos unfolded around them, Emily couldn't help but wonder what Mark was up to. And also, She trusted him completely; he always had a plan to keep them safe. Despite the confusion, she felt comforted by his presence, knowing he would do whatever it took to protect her and her family.
.....
[Mark POV]
With my mask on, I charged at the three criminals, determined to keep my identity hidden. Each move I made was carefully planned to catch them off guard, making sure they never saw me coming.
[Of course, the mask is in my pocket; I always carry it for emergencies.]
Anyway, I dashed towards the first bad guy, tensing up as I got closer. Then, bam! I socked him right in the gut with a quick jab. He doubled over, wheezing from the hit.
Without giving them a chance to retaliate, I spun around gracefully, aiming a forceful kick straight at the second attacker. My move caught him off guard, sending him stumbling backward in disarray, his balance completely disrupted by the unexpected strike.
Moving swiftly, I charged towards the third criminal. With a fierce determination, I aimed a powerful knee kick at his midsection, intending to take him down swiftly. The impact was solid, and he collapsed to the ground, unable to withstand the force of my strike.
In the blink of an eye, all three criminals lay unconsious on the ground, defeated by my swift and decisive actions. Then as the smoke dispersed, revealing the aftermath of the confrontation, I made sure to keep my identity hidden so I take off my mask and going towards them. Then with a quick glance, I confirmed that Emily and her family were safe, their expressions a mix of relief and confusion.
As the criminals lay unconscious on the ground, Geral Felcoms was the first to speak up. "Who could this be, and how did they get defeated? Is this related to the smoke bombs?"
"It's hard to say," Emily's father, Gary Hawkins, chimed in, scanning the area with a furrowed brow. "But whoever it was, they sure knew what they were doing."
"It's possible," Diana Felcoms mused, "but we can't jump to conclusions. Let's just be grateful that everyone is safe."
Quietly returning to their side, I put on a innocent demeanor, hiding any sign of my part in the fight I decided to contribute to the discussion. "Maybe it's a vigilante named Nightwing," I suggested casually, playing along with the speculation. "He's known for using smoke bombs and stealthy maneuvers. Cool stuff, you know?"
Emily's mother, Sharon Hawkins, raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the idea. "Nightwing, huh? I've heard of him. He is the Sidekick of Spider-Man isnt he?."
Before I could even think of respond, Emily quietly came up to me, her voice is low only I could hear then she spoke. "Thanks, Nightwing," she said softly, her eyes filled with a mix of relief and admiration.
With a sinking heart, I muttered to myself, "Shit, she found out."
The End of Side Chapter
[Mark Status]
Name: Mark Fletcher
Alias: Night Wing
Age: 16
Nationality: American
Attributes:
Strength: 70
Agility: 62
Endurance: 71
Stamina: 63
Intelligence: 100
Reflexes: 55
Charisma: 30
Luck: 45
Abilities:
Enhanced Reflexes
Enhanced Agility
Enhanced Stamina
Acrobatics
Brainiac
Serum Boost: Permanently enhances physical attributes weaker version of Super soldier serum.
Technique Skills:
Boxing: Advanced level
Eskrima: Advanced level
Kungfu: Advanced level