Jean firmly opposed Peter Parker seeking outside help. No matter how Peter tried to persuade her, she was convinced Charles Xavier would treat her like a laboratory guinea pig.
Peter could not tell her that Charles himself was a mutant and had even opened a school for mutant students.
After all, official records listed Charles as thoroughly human, and the school was not registered anywhere. Peter could only compromise and listen to Jean complain that Xavier was probably a pervert who liked little girls.
In the end, the two reached a compromise. Jean needed to learn to control her powers; since she refused outside help, Peter would train her himself.
Felicia had some complaints about Peter spending so much time with another girl, so she insisted on accompanying them throughout. Liz and Mary Jane joined in as well. Once the girls learned Jean had superpowers, they quickly grew close, becoming best friends who talked about everything.
Just in case, Peter installed a psychic inhibitor in his helmet. He knew Jean could not yet read the memories and information about the future in his mind, but someone on Xavier's level might be able to see through them. Better safe than sorry.
A week later, Jean was already showing some progress in controlling her powers.
After school, they all left together. Jean suddenly looked at Peter and asked earnestly, "If I can control my powers, I want to help people like Spider-Man does."
Peter's steps briefly faltered.
"Have you thought this through? Powers aren't toys. You can save people, but one mistake could hurt someone, too."
Jean clenched her fingers and nodded gently. "I understand. But since I have these powers, I can't just do nothing."
Peter glanced at her and was about to speak-
His Spider-Sense suddenly screamed a warning.
Peter jerked his head up and saw a huge construction crane swaying. A steel beam broke loose and plunged straight toward them.
"Get down!"
Peter shouted and shoved the girls down by the roadside.
He raised his head from the ground, only to see an elderly woman still standing there, directly beneath the falling beam.
"No!"
The beam was only one story above the ground, and Peter was already bracing himself for the sight of blood and flesh flying.
But then, as if by magic, the beam stopped.
He turned toward the only other person with superpowers. Jean was straining with all her might to hold the beam up with telekinesis, and a strong mint scent instantly filled the entire street.
Peter sprang to his feet and pulled the elderly woman out of danger. A second later, Jean released her telekinesis, and the beam crashed onto the asphalt.
"Thank you so much, young man!" The elderly woman's eyes filled with grateful tears.
Peter looked around. Everywhere, passersby were holding up their phones to take pictures.
Good. For now, all the cameras were focused on him. No one had noticed Jean yet.
He turned toward Felicia and gave her a meaningful look. "Take them away first. I'll keep everyone's attention."
Felicia nodded and quickly led the girls away. Peter was soon surrounded by a crowd, with the elderly woman thanking him over and over. He could only stay there and stall as long as possible. Before long, the police arrived and dispersed the crowd.
Peter did not leave the scene until it was completely dark.
By the time he reached Mary Jane's house to meet the girls, it was already very late.
He climbed the wall to the second floor and knocked on the window.
Mary Jane opened it with a smile. "Come on in, Laohu."
Peter climbed inside, and Jean immediately stood up. "I'm sorry. I didn't think it would turn out like this..."
"No, you did great, Jean." Peter sat beside Felicia on Mary Jane's bed. Mary Jane moved over as well, while Liz and Jean sat in separate chairs.
"I told you, with great power comes great responsibility. You saved that woman's life without hesitation. You did great."
"I told you he wouldn't be angry." Felicia kissed Peter on the cheek. "My man's a softie."
Jean sighed in relief. "Thank you."
"Did anyone connect the beam incident to Jean?" Mary Jane asked.
"No." Peter shook his head. "I kept the focus on me. Whenever someone brought it up, I told them they'd imagined it. It took some effort, but luckily, the police arrived in time and dispersed the crowd."
"So we're safe? No one knows about Jean?" Liz asked.
Peter shook his head. "That's how things stand for now. Though there were cameras around... I can't be a hundred percent sure."
Liz immediately pulled out her phone and searched, then suddenly swore. "Shit."
"What's wrong? Did you find something?" Peter asked.
"This."
She held out a photo taken from across the street. Peter pulling the elderly woman away occupied the center of the image, but Jean could be seen in the corner with her hand outstretched.
"It doesn't look that bad," Felicia reassured them.
"Yeah... it looks more like Jean's calling to Peter for help," Mary Jane added.
"Are there any other photos?" Peter asked cautiously.
"With Jean in them? No, just this one." Liz sighed.
Everyone let out a sigh of relief.
"You need to be more careful, Jean," Peter warned. "Your identity is your biggest secret. You have to protect it."
"Okay." Jean nodded. "What do you think I should do? Wear a bodysuit?"
Peter snorted. "Maybe."
"Oh, maybe we could go buy one!" Liz said excitedly. "A jacket and jeans would look amazing! Elegant and practical!"
"We have to design her a costume!" Mary Jane grew excited as well.
"Absolutely!" Liz enthusiastically agreed. The two pulled Jean over to browse fashion magazines.
Felicia leaned toward Peter's ear and whispered, "Do you think S.H.I.E.L.D. would be interested in her?"
Peter gritted his teeth. "I don't know. I know they're watching me and keeping an eye on my friends, but I don't think they've discovered Jean yet. That incident was an accident. Unless they're watching me around the clock and happened to film Jean using her powers, they couldn't have noticed."
He paused.
"Besides, I've already amply proven my loyalty to S.H.I.E.L.D. I think she's safe for now."
"Who else, then?" Felicia asked.
Peter's gaze darkened. "There are plenty of things out in the night scarier than S.H.I.E.L.D."
The following week passed uneventfully. Everyone at school praised Peter's heroic rescue, and he merely tried to brush off the compliments. He did not like the attention and felt he did not deserve it.
Meanwhile, Mary Jane and Liz were busy designing Jean's costume. Peter occasionally caught glimpses of their work; they really did have talent. He offered a few suggestions, such as using green and yellow for the colors, which they thought were perfect.
On Saturday evening, everyone gathered in Mary Jane's room again. Peter and Felicia sat on the bed as Liz and Mary Jane pushed the door open and entered.
"And now, presenting for the very first time-Marvel Girl!" Liz announced loudly.
The door opened, and Jean walked out in her new costume.
She wore green pants and a black top with a yellow "M" sewn onto the chest. Over it was a green jacket with yellow stripes down the sides, along with gloves. A yellow head covering similar in style to Iron Fist's was tied around her head, concealing her hair; cat-eye-shaped openings were cut around the eyes, perfectly complementing Jean's eye shape.
Felicia whistled. "Looks great."
Peter nodded. "Suits you, little bird. What's it made of?"
Liz and Mary Jane froze for a moment.
"Uh, fabric?" Mary Jane shrugged. "The jacket's leather, and the pants are probably fifty percent cotton?"
Peter sighed. "You're telling me you made a costume without any protection? She has superpowers. She's not bulletproof!"
"Where are we supposed to get bulletproof armor?!" Liz shouted.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe ask the guy who works at the Baxter Building?!" Peter shot back sarcastically.
"You two really should've asked Peter earlier." Felicia nodded. "But all right, Laohu, can you get her one?"
Peter sighed and nodded. "Fine. I know how to formulate polymer composites now. Making a costume like this at the Baxter Building won't be a problem."
"Great. Then stop asking us for bulletproof stuff," Liz muttered, slumping into a chair.
"This is amazing. Thank you," Jean said with a smile. "I feel so damn cool!"
"Yeah." Mary Jane grinned.
"So, when are we heading out?" Liz asked excitedly.
"We?" Peter raised an eyebrow.
"Heading out?" Mary Jane looked equally puzzled.
"Yeah. We've got the costume and the person. Shouldn't we test it out?" Liz shrugged.
"It might be too soon for Jean," Felicia countered. "She's only just starting out. Maybe she should practice more. I know some basic fighting techniques that would help her."
Peter nodded. "Agreed."
"No," Jean suddenly spoke up. "I-I want to go. I at least want to see what I can do!"
Peter raised an eyebrow. "Jean, you need to be ready. You can't count on your powers to bail you out every time."
Felicia snorted. "Trust him. He knows what he's talking about."
The other girls were somewhat confused by that remark, but Peter paid it no mind.
"Peter, I have to go. Please," Jean pleaded.
Peter looked at Felicia, who shrugged.
Peter sighed. "Fine. But only tonight. Afterward, you have to train with Felicia, and no more going out alone."
"What makes Felicia so good at fighting?" Mary Jane rolled her eyes.
"I'm a black belt in taekwondo, and I've won the national women's judo championship," Felicia replied coldly.
"Oh... that'll do it." Mary Jane nodded.
Jean grinned. "That's awesome!"
Peter sighed and quickly began working out a plan to protect her.
"All right, I have to go. I've got work. But Jean, Felicia, Mary Jane, and Liz will stay here to help you."
"We've got your back, girl!" Liz shouted.
"Do you really have to leave now?" Jean sounded uncertain.
"Sorry." Peter kissed Felicia. "I'll keep an eye on her as Spider-Man."
Felicia nodded. "Okay."
"Peter, I'm afraid I can't do this without you," Jean said.
Peter smiled. "I can't hold your hand forever, little bird. You have to spread your wings and fly on your own. Don't worry. If anything happens, I'll be there right away."
He said goodbye to the girls and immediately went home to change.
Peter took out his backpack and pressed the hidden spider emblem on its side. His suit popped out instantly. He quickly put it on and slapped his chest, activating the Arc Reactor.
Then he put on his mask and Silk-Shooters. He rolled his shoulders, feeling the weight of the newly installed mechanical spider arms on his back. They were currently dormant. He had not used them in actual combat yet and hoped he would not need them tonight.
Just as he slipped out of the house, Liz drove Jean, Felicia, and Mary Jane toward the neighborhood with the worst crime.
Peter sighed as a powerful sense of foreboding welled up inside him.