Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“How much does the Captain know about the situation? Do you think he’ll take it well?”</span>
Gwen inhaled deeply before answering.
<span class="mu-g">“I explained it as best as I could without the two of them meeting in person. I don’t know how much he understands exactly, but what I do know is that Professor Warren shouldn’t show his face anywhere near my dad for a while. Pandora should keep a close eye on him.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Do you want me here? For moral support, I mean.”</span>
Gwen gave you a warm smile and shook her head.
<span class="mu-g">“No. I appreciate it, but…you should prepare Joyce for what’s about to happen. Meeting your biological dad is kind of a big deal.”</span>
You gave her a slow nod and patted her on the shoulder. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw the cops giving you strange looks.
<span class="mu-r">“Alright. I’ll go warn the Morlocks. Sit tight.”</span>
You stepped back a few feet, and flew up into the air, a shroud of emerald flame wrapping around your body and propelling you towards Central Park. The roaming plant monsters glanced up at you as you passed over them. The dog-like ones didn’t give chase, but you weren’t paying them any mind at the moment.
The sight of Central Park in its current incarnation took your breath away. Donny had grown so large that he could easily be seen from outside the park. He towered over the other trees, and he had various sloping branches and a network of sturdy vines running all throughout the park.
And in the distance, you thought you could see a familiar, antlered figure using her powers to create a rather impressive treehouse.
<span class="mu-b">“Hi Ben!”</span>
Your head whipped around as you felt for your spider-sense, and you immediately calmed down when you realized it was only Iara flying up behind you. She flashed her teeth in a dazzling smile and waved at you.
<span class="mu-b">“Sorry. Did I scare you?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Of course not. Who would be afraid of seeing a flying shark lady coming at them from behind? Not me. Nope.”</span>
Iara cackled at that.
<span class="mu-b">“Relax, old chum! I don’t take a bite out of my friends.”</span> she proudly declared.
<span class="mu-r">“‘Old chum’? Was that a fish pun? Are you making fish puns now?”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“That one might not have been particularly fresh, but I’ve got more.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“We might have to lock those jokes in a chest and send them back down to the murky depths from which they came.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“Glass thinks they’re funny.”</span> she claimed.
You were pretty sure that he was just being nice, but you didn’t have the heart to tell her.
<span class="mu-r">“I’m glad you two found each other, then. Are you a member of the welcoming committee?”</span>
Iara chuckled.
<span class="mu-b">“No, silly. I came here to warn you about the flying murder birds. I also REALLY wanted to see you!”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Wait, go back a bit. What was that about the murder birds?”</span> you asked, scanning the area with a bit more urgency now.
(Cont.)
