Chapter 269: Suit Upgrades

[Third Person's PoV]

Instead of swinging through the night and rushing to the New York Sanctum Sanctorum, Peter and the others strolled casually in a group.

MJ held onto one of Peter's arms while Gwen clung to the other. Felicia led the way excitedly, while Harry and Lizzy trailed a few steps behind.

"Harry, I'm sorry, but your father is terrifying!" Lizzy shivered. "He doesn't even have any special powers, yet I was immediately intimidated by that man," she whispered.

Harry chuckled awkwardly, offering a wry smile. "Yeah… my dad has that effect on people. You just need time to get used to him."

Peter glanced back and smirked. "He was probably testing you—trying to see if you had any hidden agenda with his darling son~"

"Ugh! Don't you start," Harry groaned.

Lizzy frowned, tightening her grip on Harry's hand. "Are you saying he was trying to see if I was a gold digger or something?"

Gwen chimed in, "He probably doesn't even believe you two will last. He thinks this is just a casual high school fling. So, to him, you're not worth acknowledging, which is why he's treating you so coldly."

Lizzy's frown deepened as she hugged Harry's arm closer, scoffing. "What the hell does he know about our relationship to judge it like that?"

Harry, pleased by Lizzy's protectiveness, held his head a little higher, a small smile forming on his lips.

"Come on, you slowpokes! Why am I the only one excited here?" Felicia called out as she bounded up the steps of 177A Bleecker Street.

"The suits aren't going anywhere, Felicia," MJ said, bemused.

Just as Felicia lifted her hand to knock, she stopped herself. The door opened before she could, revealing Wong in his red and brown robes.

He gave them a brief nod. "The Ancient One is waiting for you in her chamber."

"Thanks, Wong!" they all said as they passed, greeting him in turn.

As they approached the sliding wooden door, they didn't even need to knock before the Ancient One's voice called out, "You can all come inside."

"That's what she said!" Peter and Felicia said at the same time.

"Ugh," Gwen groaned as she slid the door open. "You two were made for each other."

Peter and Felicia casually bumped fists. "Nice~"

Inside, the Ancient One sat cross-legged on a mat, a cup of tea in hand. A tray with a full tea set rested beside her.

In front of her, six neatly folded outfits lay on the ground, each with its corresponding mask placed on top.

Setting her cup onto the tray, the Ancient One smiled. "First and foremost—congratulations, Peter. I wish you a happy birthday and many more to come."

Peter bowed respectfully, accepting her well wishes. As they all stepped inside, they lined up, Peter standing at the center with the others beside him, each in front of their designated suit.

"Now then," the Ancient One continued, "these suits were crafted specifically for each of you, combining arcane arts with Vibranium. They will provide ample protection against both physical and magical attacks."

She raised a hand, her expression turning serious. "However, be warned—this does not make you invincible. You may face beings capable of overpowering the kinetic energy absorption of your suits before they can safely release it."

They all nodded in understanding. Vibranium was considered nearly indestructible, but nearly meant there were still ways to break it.

"To bond with your suit, place your hand on it and channel your energy into it—whether that be Chi, magic, psionic energy. Once your energy is registered, your suit will be bound to you, allowing you to summon and dismiss it at will." She gestured toward the suits. "Go on, try it."

Excitement buzzed through the group as they knelt, each placing a hand on their respective suits.

As their energy flowed into the fabric, each suit began glowing in its wielder's unique color.

"Now, send out a mental command," the Ancient One instructed.

Peter was already halfway there, instinctively feeling a connection to the suit beneath him.

In an instant, the fabric on the ground dissolved into shimmering particles, reforming around his body.

A sleek black suit enveloped him, complete with a hood draped over his head. The material looked almost silky, molding to his muscular frame. A glowing blue spider symbol stretched across his chest, while his eyes beneath the hood shone an ominous blue, piercing through the darkness of the suit.

Peter pulled back the hood and removed his mask, grinning. "Man, it feels good to be able to take off my mask like this again!"

The others quickly followed suit, summoning their own armor with excitement.

MJ and Felicia's suits looked somewhat similar, with the primary difference being their color schemes. MJ's suit was entirely red, adorned with zigzagging black lines and a black spider emblem on her chest. Meanwhile, Felicia's suit was pure white, featuring the same zigzagging patterns and a matching white spider emblem. Both wore masks covering their eyes, and their hair, though let loose, appeared slightly different in shade from their natural color.

Harry's suit had a noticeably more metallic appearance compared to the others. A perfect blend of black and green, it bore his emblem across his chest, extending slightly onto his arms. He wore a green eye mask, while his eyes remained pure white. His back and utility belt had empty holsters designed to secure his tools and weapons.

Gwen's suit closely resembled her usual attire, with the key difference being the blue arrow-like markings that traced her body and hoodie. Her lenses, which were normally white, now matched the markings' baby-blue hue.

Lizzy's new suit, on the other hand, was a striking mix of red and yellow, with a flowing flame-like design engulfing her body. The lower half of her torso and parts of her legs were covered in black, and at the center of her chest, a golden star pulsed brightly, radiating energy. A golden masquerade mask adorned her face, appearing as if made from pure energy, while her blonde hair had transformed into a fiery red, flowing in the air as if genuinely ablaze.

As they all admired their new suits—and each other's—brimming with vanity, the Ancient One cleared her throat, drawing their attention.

"These suits are powerful magical tools designed to help you control and regulate your mystical energy," she explained, immediately piquing their curiosity. "They will enhance both the efficiency and potency of any spell or attack you cast."

The group hung onto her every word, fascinated.

"They can also be integrated with technological enhancements, such as that AI of yours," she added, nodding toward Peter, "or any other modifications you might develop. Additionally, they automatically eliminate any DNA traces you may leave behind, ensuring you remain untraceable. Even if you're caught without your mask, as long as your suit is active, people will find it extremely difficult to discern or remember what you truly look like."

She then smiled and placed a finger over her lips. "Oh, I nearly forgot! Since it's Peter's special day, I've added a little something extra to all of your suits. Embedded in the knuckles of each one is a sling ring, meaning…"

"We can create portals whenever we want!!" they all exclaimed, their excitement palpable.

"Think of it as both a birthday and graduation present," the Ancient One said with a nod.

The room fell silent for a moment.

"Wait… what?" they froze slightly.

"Already? But we still have so much to learn," Gwen protested.

The Ancient One nodded knowingly. "And you do. I don't mean you're graduating from being my students. Rather, you're moving past the apprentice stage and stepping into the next phase—as practitioners of the Mystic Arts."

Understanding dawned on their faces as they nodded in agreement. All except Peter.

The air around him shifted.

Since he wasn't wearing his mask, the others clearly saw his smirk turn sinister, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Peter?" MJ asked warily.

The room grew tense as Peter suddenly looked up—above the Ancient One's head.

"Hey, Voucher," he called out, smirking. "I know you've been listening, so you know what this means, don't you?"

…

In a dimension above all others, a powerful being observed the multiverse, watching events unfold before him.

That being was The Watcher.

His eyes widened as he jolted back in surprise.

"Oh no, not again!" he exclaimed as a glowing orange portal materialized before him.

Down below, everyone turned their heads in disbelief as the portal opened just above the Ancient One. Through it, they could see a large-headed figure in a flowing purple robe.

Peter didn't hesitate.

He shot out his hand, fingers forming his signature web-slinging gesture. A web shot forward, latching onto The Watcher's chest.

"GET OVER HERE!!" Peter bellowed in a deep, dramatic voice, yanking The Watcher through the portal.

The Watcher floated awkwardly behind the Ancient One as the portal snapped shut behind him.

Peter's friends stood frozen, their mouths agape, unable to form words.

"..."

The Watcher sighed, regaining his composure.

"Peter Parker," he intoned in his deep, mystic voice. "You have been chosen."

"FUCK THAT!" Peter immediately shot back, jabbing an accusatory finger at him. "WHY HAVE YOU BEEN SPYING ON US, YOU FREAKING PERV?! DO YOU HAVE ZERO SHAME OR SENSE OF PRIVACY?!"

"..."

"I'm… sorry," The Watcher muttered, looking genuinely flustered.

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A/N: Image would be in the comments