"There are four candidates running for mayor now," Olivia said, sliding a file across the table. "You're the last to announce. One of them is already fading, weak numbers, not much support. But the two we need to pay attention to…" she tapped the photos, "…are Graydon Creed and Wilson Fisk."
"Why are you worried about them?" I asked.
"Not worried," Olivia corrected, "but strategic. Creed's been a public figure for years. His entire campaign is built on anti-mutant rhetoric. He's turning fear into votes. His numbers are climbing, and people are buying it."
"Then those people are easily controlled by fear and hate," I said flatly.
"Exactly. Now, Fisk…" She opened the second file. "He's more popular than Creed. On the surface, he's a philanthropist, schools, shelters, rebuilding projects. He's made himself look like the man who fixes New York."
I frowned. "That sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?"
"There is one," Olivia said. "Fisk has been outspoken against superheroes. If elected, he plans to form a task force to drive them, and organized crime, out of the city. It's a crowd-pleaser."
"That's… worrying," I admitted. "The crime rate would skyrocket. I doubt powered villains will care about a bunch of guys with guns."
"Probably not," she said. "Which is why I need to know how you want to run this campaign. What's your angle? Mutant rights? Pro-superhero? Something else? My recommendation, lean into supporting both. The public can't deny the good that supers and mutants have done. That will help us win."
I leaned forward. "I believe mutants are just as human as anyone else. But before I let you steer my future, I need to know something. You're not a racist, are you?"
Olivia laughed softly. "Fair question. No, I'm not. Mutants deserve the same rights as everyone else. Nobody chooses how they're born. We all just deal with the cards we're dealt."
Her tone made me pause. There was something behind her words. I didn't read her mind, but I couldn't ignore the weight in her voice.
"Tell me, Ms. Pope," I said carefully. "Do you know someone who was a mutant?"
For the first time, she looked caught off guard. Then she composed herself. "I had a friend. Her powers were dangerous, but she never used them to hurt anyone. Six years ago, she left a mutant community center. Some thugs harassed her, pushed her. She fought back, used her powers to defend herself. They shot her dead. No justice. No investigation. Just another body no one cared about."
The room was quiet.
"I'm sorry for your loss," I said sincerely. Then I looked her straight in the eye. "So what are my chances… if I run as a mutant?"
Ashley stiffened beside me. "Ed, what are you doing?"
"Don't worry, relax" I told her.
Olivia studied me. "It'll make the race harder. You'll gain mutant support, but human voters will be cautious. The key will be what kind of power you have. It has to be something non-threatening."
I smiled. "Promise not to laugh." I snapped my fingers. A weak spark popped in the air like a cheap firecracker.
Olivia raised a brow. "That's it?"
"That's it. Useless party trick," I said with a grin.
"…We can work with that," she decided. "Harmless powers, safe optics. We'll spin it as symbolic, you're proof mutants don't have to be dangerous. My team will set up a campaign office in the city. You can't run from this fortress of yours. We need visibility, boots on the ground, staff who live and breathe this work."
"Fine. Find the place, I'll buy it. Price doesn't matter."
"Good. Two days, I'll have everything ready." Olivia gathered her files and walked out.
The room went quiet. Ashley turned to me, arms crossed.
"Ed, are you sure about this? Pretending to be a mutant, even with a weak power, could backfire. Some employees might quit. The public might turn on us. Investors could walk."
"If they do, then good riddance," I said. "I don't want racists working for me or buying my products anyway. I'm not just building this city for humans. I'm building it for mutants too. When I'm done, they won't have to hide ever again. We'll drag this city into the future, willingly or kicking and screaming. Doesn't matter which."
Ashley sighed, but her eyes softened. "That's the answer I expected. But hear me, Ed. If anyone tries to hurt Stratos to get at you…" her voice dropped, sharp as a blade, "…I'll kill them."
I smirked. "Fair. But honestly? I don't think anyone can hurt him."
"Maybe not," she said coldly. "But if they try, I'll make sure they regret it."
one hour later
I was just walking around Sanctuary, taking it easy for once. No meetings, no emergencies, just a simple walk. Then Peter came flying around the corner, eyes wide, running straight at me.
The kid actually looked worried. That was rare. And honestly? The fact he was out of breath was even more surprising he's enhanced.
"Ed! Finally. I've been looking everywhere for you, I need your help," Peter blurted out.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Five girls asked me out on a date. Five! And I don't know what to do."
I just stared at him. "…Say what now?"
He spilled everything. MJ. Cindy, Julia, Anya, Laura even mentioned Julia and Anya double-teamed him with the invite, which, yeah, even I was shocked. I had no idea Peter had that kind of pull. The kid basically admitted he was drowning in dates and didn't know who to choose.
When he finished, I did the only logical thing: bowed to him.
"What are you doing?" Peter asked, confused.
"Obviously bowing down to the Rizz King standing before me," I said, standing back up.
"Ed, I'm serious!" he groaned. "I don't know what to do."
"And I'm being serious," I replied. "Heads up, Escanor's bringing his kids to the island today. Try not to Rizz up the youngest one. Because if you do, you won't just have to deal with her sister, who controls a dinosaur, by the way, you'll have to deal with Escanor himself. And that man can throw suns."
"Wait, what? Since when could he do that?"
"That was his power in his world. He lost it when he died using it to the max, but I restored it when I gain the power."
Peter's eyes widened. "Wouldn't that kill him again?"
"Not with the enhanced body he's got now. He's fine. Just… don't test him," I said.
He hesitated. "…How strong is Escanor now?"
"That's tricky. Power scaling here is… let's say bullshit. I'm strongest, obviously. Then Siegfried, he's basically a dragon in human form. After that? John, Anissa, Battle Beast, Escanor, All Might, Stars and Stripes, Wanda. And Wanda isn't even done mastering her magic yet, when she does, she might even pass me."
"So Escanor's what, fourth strongest? Where am I ranked?" Peter asked.
"Top ten, but at the bottom. Your spider strength and spider-sense keep you there. Otherwise, A-Train or Green Ghost could catch you slipping."
Peter nodded slowly. "Okay, cool… I guess. But can we go back to the main problem? What should I do?"
I shrugged. "Wish I could help, but I have zero experience with women. I'm literally still a virgin. You're getting more action than me, kid."
"WHAT?!" Peter nearly shouted.
"Yeah. Been grinding so hard on all this hero work, dating's never been my focus. But if you want my advice? Be honest. Sit them all down, explain the situation, and tell them straight. Because from the way you explained it, you don't just like them all, you love them all right."
Peter rubbed his head, frustrated. "That's the problem. I do love them. I love MJ, she's been there since forever. I love patrolling with Cindy, she makes me laugh even when we're fighting. Julia's reliable, fun, and… cute when she thinks no one's watching. Anya, she's like the life of the party, always making me laugh. And Laura… she's different, but in a good way. She's curious, tough, and I like being around her no matter what we're doing. I can't love five girls at once. That makes me a womanizer, right?"
"No, Pete," I said seriously. "That doesn't make you a womanizer. That makes you someone with a big heart. And honestly? That big heart is one of your greatest powers. It's what makes you Spider-Man, the reason everyone loves you. Life's complicated. Love's even more complicated. But don't hate your heart for it. Just trust it. You're one of the smartest guys on this island, third smartest, if we're ranking. You'll figure it out. Follow your instincts. Follow your heart."
Peter looked down, quiet for a moment. "…Yeah. I just wish my heart wasn't all over the place."
"I know, buddy," I said. "Having a big heart comes with small problems like this. But I'm sure it'll work out in the end. Who knows, maybe all those girls might actually accept your love. Good for you… bad for your wallet."
Peter snorted. "Ha, very funny. There's no way that's ever going to happen. Not in a million years. I'm not that lucky," he said, his sarcasm dripping.
But what Peter didn't know was that those five girls were only the beginning. His heart would keep pulling people toward him, until one day he wouldn't just have love, he'd have a multitude of it. Call it a harem if you wanted to, but Peter would never see it that way. To him, it would only ever be his beautiful wives… and the wild, wonderful, impossibly large family they built together.
Sabrina Spellman POV
I blocked six spells at once, my hands weaving quick counter-charms before slamming each opponent flat on the training floor.
"Come on, you guys. I thought you were stronger than that," I said, brushing dust from my sleeve.
None of them answered, just groaned, faces pressed into the mats.
"Well, Miss Spellman," came a calm voice behind me, "they don't have your battle experience… or your talent."
I turned. The Ancient One stood in the doorway, hands folded, serene as always. She was the one who brought me here after the monster invasion. Only a few weeks under her, and I'd already learned how dangerous she was. I'd even tried to spar her a few times. She beat me every single time, without breaking a sweat.
"Hello, Ancient One. Nice to see you," I said.
"Come with me. We need to talk." She turned and started walking toward her chambers without another word.
I glanced back at the groaning students. "Take a break. When I come back, we're leveling up. Be prepared."
Their faces went pale. I smirked and followed the Ancient One.
Her chamber smelled of incense and old wood. Tea was already set out, of course it was. She loved her tea. For a while, we just sat in silence, sipping, the quiet hum of magic between us.
"So," I said finally, "what did you want to talk about?"
She set her cup down and fixed me with those knowing eyes.
"Sabrina… I want you to arrange a meeting between me and Ed."
The words stopped me cold. I had never told her anything about Ed. Or the others.
"How…?" I asked carefully.
She smiled faintly. "I have my ways. The important part is I need to speak with your friend."
"Why?"
"Because it's time."
I frowned. "Time for what?"
Her gaze sharpened. "There is a relic, the Eye of Agamotto. It allows me to peer into the future. Through it, I have known about Ed for a while now. I used to see fragments of his path, but recently… it vanished. Blocked. Most likely the effect of that strange power of his. But before the sight was lost, I saw enough. It's time he and I finally meet."
I sat back, stunned. So I wasn't the only one keeping secrets after all.
"I can set up the meeting easily. He's been trying to call me for a while," I said. "But… I'd like a favor in return."
The Ancient One tilted her head. "And what is that?"
"I have a friend, she's a witch too. Incredibly powerful, but she's only scratched the surface of her abilities. I want her to come here. To learn under you."
The Ancient One's expression didn't change, but I felt the weight of her eyes. "Everyone is free to learn at Kamar-Taj. If this friend of yours has the talent, I would gladly teach her myself."
Relief washed over me. "Thank you. And trust me, she does."
Moira Queen POV
I sat in my home office, drowning in paperwork. Almost done. Then the phone rang. Not my business line, my personal one. Only a handful of people even had that number. Thea was upstairs, so I answered.
"Hello?"
"Mom… it's me. It's Oliver."
The voice froze me. Rage and grief rose at once.
"My son died. A long time ago. With my husband. Don't call here again." My hand tightened around the phone, ready to hang up.
"Mom, please! Listen to my voice, it's me. It's Oliver. I didn't die on the Gambit. I'm alive. I'm okay."
I closed my eyes. I knew that voice. My boy's voice. My Oliver.
"Oliver?" I whispered, afraid saying it too loud would shatter the miracle.
"Yes, Mom. It's really me. Please don't hang up."
"No, no, of course not. I won't. I promise." My throat burned. My son. My beautiful boy.
"Is your father alive?" I asked, desperate, begging the universe for one more gift.
Silence. Then his voice, heavy with pain. "No, Mom. He didn't make it. Neither did Sara."
The words stabbed straight through me. My heart broke again, but I clung to the one truth that mattered.
Oliver was alive.
"Oliver… I can't imagine what you've been through. Where are you?"
"I don't know. I'm on a boat. But I'm coming home. I love you, Mom."
Tears spilled freely now. "I love you. I love you so much."
For two years, I lived with a hole in my chest. My son was gone. Now, against all odds, he was coming home.
But guilt lingered, a shadow I couldn't shake. Because I knew why this happened. I knew who was behind it. And I couldn't say a word. Not to Oliver. Not to Thea. Not if I wanted them to stay alive.
So I swallowed the truth and my grief, and I promised myself one thing: whatever it took, I would protect what little of my family I had left.