Masters crunches on a chip loud enough that I almost miss the explosion happening on the news.
"How's work going, Sensei?" I ask, reaching into the bag between us. The couch cushion dips slightly under my weight as I shift position, my eyes still half-focused on the TV screen.
It's been a few weeks since I dropped out, and honestly? Life's been peaceful. My days have fallen into this comfortable rhythm, wake up whenever, watch TV, eat whatever Ellie or I throw together, maybe play some video games. Then, when the sun goes down, Venom and I hit the streets. It's simple. It works.
Masters reaches for another chip, her movements precise even in something as casual as snacking. She's still in her workout gear from earlier, practical athletic wear in muted grays that somehow makes her look both relaxed and ready to throw down at a moment's notice.
"I've decided to retire," she says, like she's commenting on the weather.
I freeze mid-chew, the chip turning to paste in my mouth. "Wait, what?"
"Retire," she repeats, her brown eyes fixed on the television. "From killing and from Empire State."
"Why?" I ask, setting the chip bag down on the coffee table.
Masters leans back into the couch, her posture still maintaining that military straightness even while relaxing. "I got into killing and teaching killers because I was good at it," she says, her voice carrying that matter-of-fact tone she uses when discussing her past. "I was good at learning others' movements, copying them, perfecting them."
She pauses, reaching for another chip but not eating it, just holding it between her fingers. "But ever since Moon Knight tried crashing a fucking plane into me, my heart hasn't been in it."
"And since I met you," she continues. "I realized I'm rich enough. It's time to start enjoying the fruits of my labor."
I nod slowly, processing this. "Well, that's good," I say, meaning it.
In the background, the news anchor's voice drones on about something happening in Genosha. I catch fragments, "...Magneta lifted several US aircraft carriers..." and "...Madagascar..." but the words wash over me without really registering. Just more chaos in a world that's always got some new disaster brewing.
Then the broadcast cuts abruptly, the anchor's expression shifting from concerned to alarmed. "We're getting reports of a new threat in Manhattan," she says, and footage fills the screen.
"Huh?" The word escapes me as I lean forward, my attention snapping into focus.
The figure on screen is unmistakable. Green Goblin's suit, but wrong. The colors are off, grey instead of green, and instead of that signature purple hood, this one's wearing light blue. The glider moves with the same menacing grace.
My stomach turns, ice water flooding my veins. "Is Norma back?"
Masters leans forward too, her analytical eyes narrowing as she studies the footage. "Nah..." she says after a moment, her voice certain. "Whoever that is seems a lot more clumsy. Way less training than Norma ever had as the Goblin."
"Hmmm..." I stare at the screen, watching the Grey Goblin weave between buildings. Something nags at the back of my mind, something important I should be remembering. The light blue hood catches the sunlight as the figure banks hard left, and for just a second, something about the way they move triggers a memory I can't quite grasp.
There's something important about this Grey Goblin. Something I'm not connecting the dots on.
But whatever it is, it stays frustratingly out of reach, dancing at the edges of my consciousness like a word on the tip of my tongue.
"What, you thinking of going out there right now and catching this new girl?" Masters asks, her tone casual but her eyes sharp as they study my face.
"No, no..." I shake my head quickly. "Ellie told me no going out without her."
Masters smiles at that, something almost approving in the expression. "Smart."
A knock at the door interrupts whatever I'm about to say next. I push myself up from the couch.
"You expecting someone?" Masters asks, her body language shifting subtly. Not quite on alert, but ready.
"No."
I lean forward and press my eye to the peephole.
Susan Storm stands in the hallway, wearing a casual but expensive-looking blue sweater. She shifts her weight from one foot to the other, nervous energy radiating from her even through the fish-eye lens.
"Oh shit..." The words slip out before I can stop them.
I practically sprint back to the couch where Masters is now sitting up straighter, her analytical gaze locked on me.
"Does Susan Storm know you?" I ask in a hushed whisper.
"No," she says simply.
"Should I answer it?"
Masters tilts her head slightly, considering. "Do you want to?"
"Yeah?" It comes out as more of a question than I intended.
"Then answer it. It's fine." She settles back into the couch, reaching for another chip like this is the most normal thing in the world.
Another knock echoes through the apartment, more insistent this time.
I nod, more to myself than to her. "Yeah, yeah, okay."
My hand finds the doorknob, and I take a breath before pulling it open.
"Hey Shane," Susan says, and that nervous smile is even more apparent in person.
"What's up?" I manage, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Can I come in?" She glances past me into the apartment, and I catch her eyes landing on Masters for just a second before returning to my face.
I look back at Masters nervously. She gives me the slightest nod, completely unbothered by the presence of one of the Fantastic Four in my doorway.
"Sure," I say, stepping aside to let her in.
Susan walks past me.
"Thanks," she says softly as I close the door. Her eyes drift to Masters again, lingering this time.
Masters raises a hand in greeting. "Invisible Woman."
"I'm sorry, I don't think we've met?" Susan's eyebrows draw together slightly.
"Toni Masters," Masters says, standing now.
They shake, and I watch Susan's expression carefully for any sign of recognition. Nothing. Just polite interest.
"I'm an old friend of Ellie's," Masters adds smoothly.
The lie comes so naturally I almost believe it myself. Susan doesn't even blink, just nods and smiles.
"It's a pleasure," Susan says, releasing Masters' hand before turning her attention back to me.
There's something in her eyes, concern mixed with curiosity as she studies my face. "I was worried about your..." she trails off, seeming to search for the right words. "I just wanted to check in on you."
Her gaze sweeps over me, taking in my casual clothes, my relaxed posture on the couch. Whatever she expected to find, it clearly wasn't this.
"You look a lot better than I expected though," she admits.
"Oh yeah..." I shrug, trying to play it off. "I'm mostly fine."
"You were a mess when..." She glances at Masters, hesitating.
"It's fine to speak candid," I tell her quickly. "Masters knows I'm a superhero."
Relief washes over Susan's features. Her shoulders drop slightly, tension I didn't realize she was carrying releasing all at once.
"You were a mess after the whole demon thing," she says, her voice softer now. "And I haven't heard anything about you lately. I didn't know if you were struggling."
Masters settles back into the couch, crossing her arms. "Shane always bounces back," she says with casual certainty. "He's too wired to stay down long."
The confidence in her voice is almost embarrassing, but also kind of nice.
Susan moves further into the living room, her eyes drifting to the TV where the Grey Goblin footage is still playing and then back to me.
"Well..." Susan shifts her weight, her expression growing more serious. "Rita and I have been talking, and Shield still seems wary of you and Ellie."
Of course they are. "That's not surprising," I mutter, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice.
Before Susan can respond, the TV anchor's voice suddenly rises in pitch, cutting through our conversation with urgent intensity.
"We interrupt this broadcast with breaking news…"
My head whips toward the screen.
"Reports are coming in of a catastrophic explosion in Genosha."
"What the fuck?" The words burst out of me as the screen cuts to shaky camera footage.
The image stabilizes, showing the deck of an aircraft carrier. In the distance, beyond the churning ocean, I can see the island nation of Genosha. And then…
The explosion tears through the sky like reality itself is being ripped apart. A massive fireball erupts from the center of the island, expanding outward in a perfect sphere of destruction. The shockwave ripples across the water toward the carrier, and the camera shakes violently.
My eyes go wide as I watch everything get engulfed. The entire island. Millions of people.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no..." I lean forward, my hands gripping my knees so hard my knuckles turn white. "I forgot..."
How could I forget about Genosha being destroyed… The worst part is I don't even remember what caused it in the comics...
Masters and Susan are both frozen, staring at the screen with identical expressions of horror.
"How many people live in Genosha?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Susan's face has gone ashen. "I think..." She swallows hard, her hand moving to cover her mouth. "I think it was around sixteen? Maybe seventeen million mutants."
The number hits me like a physical blow. Seventeen million. That's not just a city. That's an entire population. Gone. Just... gone.
"Oh my god..." I breathe out, unable to tear my eyes from the screen as they replay the footage.
Susan's already moving, pulling her phone from her pocket with shaking hands. "Shane, I have to go."
"Of course," I say automatically, my brain still trying to process the magnitude of what I just witnessed.
She's at the door in seconds, already dialing as she yanks it open. "Rita, I'm on my way…" The door slams behind her, cutting off whatever else she was about to say.
Masters reaches for another chip, crunching down on it with deliberate slowness. "I can't believe someone wiped out Genosha," she says in horror despite the chip.
The words hang in the air, and something clicks in my brain. Like a puzzle piece I didn't even know I was looking for suddenly snapping into place.
The Grey Goblin on the screen. The wrong colors. It all makes sense now, flooding back in a rush of comic book knowledge I'd somehow managed to forget in all the chaos of my own life.
Gabriel Stacey.
"Oh god..." The words escape my lips as my stomach drops through the floor. "Oh god, oh god..."
I'm pacing toward the TV, my hands moving through my hair as the pieces keep falling into place.
This is an absolute worst case scenario.
"I think I have to kill the Grey Goblin," I say, the words tumbling out in a rush. "Before she finds Piper."
"What the fuck?"