**September 10th. Morning. Midtown High.**
Peter was in calculus class when the announcement came.
Principal Morita's voice crackled over the intercom. "Students, we have joyful news. Tony Stark, who many of you know was traveling in Afghanistan, has been safely located after a brief communication issue. He's alive and well. The entire nation celebrates this news."
Peter's eyes narrowed. 'That's not right. The timeline is wrong. Tony should be missing for three months, not two days.'
"Also," Principal Morita continued, "we've finalized arrangements for this year's senior class field trip. On September 25th, we'll be visiting Oscorp Industries for an exclusive tour of their cutting-edge genetic research facilities. This is a rare opportunity to see science at the forefront of human advancement. Permission slips will be distributed today."
Peter's blood went cold.
September 25th. Oscorp. Genetic research facilities.
The spider bite. His origin moment. Fifteen days away.
'Wait,' Peter thought. His mind raced through implications. 'Tony's timeline is wrong. He should be missing for months. Something changed. Something's different from the original timeline.'
He pulled out his phone under the desk. Opened news feeds. Searched for information.
Multiple headlines appeared:
"Tony Stark Rescued After Brief Kidnapping in Afghanistan"
"Stark Industries CEO Escaped Captors Within 48 Hours"
"Military Sources: Stark Used Improvised Technology to Break Free"
Peter read rapidly. According to reports, Tony had been kidnapped during the demonstration. Held for two days. Then escaped using some kind of improvised weaponry. Details were classified. But he was alive. Safe. Already on a plane back to the United States.
'The modifications I suggested,' Peter realized. 'The survival systems. The redundancy. The heat dissipation that could power emergency equipment. Tony used my designs. Escaped faster than in the original timeline.'
Peter had changed something fundamental. Accelerated Tony's origin story. Made him more effective. More prepared.
'Butterfly effect,' Peter thought. 'I changed one thing and the whole timeline shifts.'
The question was how much had changed. And what other effects would ripple out from this.
His phone buzzed. Text from Tony Stark.
"Kid. Your designs saved my life. Literally. We need to talk. ASAP. I'm building something revolutionary. Want you involved. Call me when you can."
Peter stared at the message.
'Iron Man is happening. Right now. Weeks ahead of schedule.'
He needed to adapt. Adjust his plans. The timeline was accelerating.
---
Lunch period. Peter sat with Flash and Harry. But his mind was elsewhere. Processing. Planning.
MJ appeared with her lunch tray. "Okay, space cadet. What's got you so distracted?"
"Just thinking about the Oscorp field trip," Peter said. Partly true.
"The genetic research thing?" MJ sat down next to him. "You actually excited about that? I figured you'd find it boring compared to your work with Stark."
"Genetics is fascinating. Especially their work with radioactive genetic enhancement."
Gwen joined the table. "I heard about that. Oscorp's been working on cross-species genetics. Trying to give humans beneficial traits from other animals. Spider silk strength. Gecko adhesion. Lizard regeneration."
"Sounds dangerous," Felicia said. She'd appeared without anyone noticing. Classic Felicia. "Mixing human and animal DNA. What could possibly go wrong?"
"Lots of things," Peter said. "But that's why it's interesting. The line between breakthrough and disaster is incredibly thin in genetic research."
"You planning something?" Felicia asked. Her green eyes locked on his face. "You have that look. The calculating look."
"Just curious about their methodology," Peter deflected. "I've been studying genetics over the summer. PhD-level work. Oscorp's research could provide valuable data."
"PhD-level," Gwen repeated. "You're sixteen."
"Almost seventeen in a few months," Peter corrected. "And I have a lot of time to study."
More time than any of them knew.
MJ leaned closer. "So are we still on for coffee after school? Or are you too busy planning your genetics empire?"
"I'm never too busy for coffee with you," Peter said. He made eye contact. Held it. Let her see he meant it.
MJ smiled. A real, genuine smile that reached her eyes.
"Good answer," she said softly.
Gwen cleared her throat. "And you're still helping me with the science fair presentation tonight, right?"
"Seven PM. Library. I'll be there."
"And this weekend?" Felicia asked. "You promised me something fun."
"Saturday. I'll pick you up at noon. Wear comfortable clothes."
"Mysterious. I like it."
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