On a moving train, Rose Hunter aka Star Spider was laying low in her civilian outfit. She was sitting down with her mind on a lot of things. Ever since Kraven found out her secret and turned her into a cat hybrid, Rose felt like she messed up. Despite Spidey, Hayden, and everyone else accepting her, she didn't accept herself.
So, to make sure that it never would, she had asked Spider-Man for a safe location to train and rest. At first, Spider-Man was hesitant. But, after a moment of thought and making a couple of calls, he had given her a safe place in Staybrook, California, at the Grant Mansion. He had said it would be the safest place for her. Even though Star secretly already knew that. He said that the owner, Rachel Jocklin, would have a couple members of her family meet her at the train station in Delgado, California. Which was a three-hour drive away. After a brief thanks and a goodbye to her friends, she had left.
"Delgado station in twenty minutes, folks! Delgado station in twenty minutes," the conductor said, as he walked down the row.
Rose looked out the window and sighed. "Here we go."
Meanwhile, a teen in a leather jacket sat on the hood of his jeep with a worried look on his face. "I don't know, Mace. Just seems like a lot of trouble could be heading our way."
Next to the teen boy was a teen girl with short brunette hair. "Relax, Sage. We've handled much, much worse."
Sage hopped down in a huff. "Yeah, I know, but still. We know next to nothing about this gal. I just...I just wish we had a little more intel. I mean, I trust my aunt and uncles when they say the person who asked the favor is good...but I still wish that I knew what we were getting into here."
"I'm sure your family has their reasons. They wouldn't trust this new guest we're about escort for nothing," Macy shrugged. "I just hope it's not one of those stuck-up bratty girls I had to deal with back in high school and college."
Sage nodded. "According to what Aunt Rachel said, she's coming here for some training and recoup. Aunt Rachel even asked me to help her out."
"Help her out in what? Sounds like something big happened that made this new guest come here," Macy guessed.
"Aunt Rachel didn't give me the 4-1-1, but she said that the guest is doubting her senses and wants me to help bring up her confidence," Sage said with a shrug. "Oh, here comes the train."
"How will we know if it's her?" Macy asked, watching the train coming. "Did Aunt Rachel mentioned what she looked like or what she might have to know we got the right guest and not the wrong one?"
"Said she'd be wearing a red backpack and carrying a blue duffle. She's supposed to be about our age with long brown hair," Sage replied, watching as people exited the station.
Macy then noticed a girl with the exact same description Sage just mentioned. "You mean like that?" she asked, pointing over to teen girl that seemed a bit spaced out yet mindful on where she was going.
Sage noticed and nodded. "Hang back while I check her out. Keep your eyes open for trouble."
"You got it, Wolf Boy," Macy said, watching Sage go through the crowd.
Rose, meanwhile, continued walking. She kept her backpack and duffle bag close to her.
'Maybe I should just find a quiet, private place to change into Star Spider and teleport straight to the Grant Mansion,' Rose thought to herself. 'Then again, I can't risk people seeing me out in the open and have the news spread of a Spider Heroine around here.'
"You lost?" Sage asked gruffly.
Rose looked over to see a boy teen and nearly revealed her wrist stingers in defense if she didn't recall about being at a crowded train station.
"Just finding my way somewhere," Rose calmly answered, yet didn't let her guard down.
"Looking for somewhere specific? Say…a large house with a large family?" Sage asked calmly, flashing his eyes from blue to wolf yellow.
Getting the message, Rose had a feeling that this boy knew where she was heading.
"Something like that," she answered, giving a skeptical glare. "I better get going now."
"I'll just let my aunt know to expect you...unless you want a ride," Sage said, turning around.
"That is very kind of you, but no thanks. I'm not allowed to talk nor go with strangers," Rose declined, walking away from the teen boy. "Especially ones I can't trust anymore."
"Huh, Aunt Rachel is right. You are a downer. See you at the Mansion, then. Though, fair warning, we've upgraded our shields and nothing human made can get through," Sage said. "Besides, it's rude to treat your teacher like that."
Although he could be lying; Rose had a feeling that he probably wasn't. Sighing lightly, she stopped and turned around.
"Okay, I'll go with you. But if this is some kind of trick or elaborate scheme to take me out, I am not gonna hesitate to skewer you," Rose replied, not leaving her heavy stare.
"I'm so scared, I'm shaking in my boots. Hope you know you just insulted a captain and princes' son," Sage said, flashing his eyes again and a toothy grin.
Rose just rolled her eyes, clearly not impressed nor frightened. "I'm not believing a word you say until I know for sure you are who you say you are. For all I know, you could be lying to me."
"My name is Sage Jocklin. Son of Sasha Jocklin, who is sister to Rachel Jocklin. And I'm going to make it clear. Take one wrong step, say one wrong thing, and you'll learn why my mate and I are so known as the protectors of the Mansion," Sage said, stepping over and rubbing against Macy before getting in the driver's seat.
"Believe us, we're on your side," Macy assured, going in the passenger seat next to Sage.
Rose said nothing and just went on the back-passenger seat with her bags close to her. She kept on guard for anything.
They drove for about an hour before Sage spoke again. "So, New York, huh?"
"Yeah," Rose managed to say, not leaving her eyes on both the drivers and the window.
"How is it? I haven't been back there in ages," Macy replied.
"It's okay," she muttered, folding her arms.
"You can drop the attitude, alright?" Sage said stiffly. "If you want my help in getting your sense back in check, you'll lose it quick. No one likes a teen acting like a two-year-old."
Sighing, Rose looked up from the window. "Look, I'm sorry if I seem a bit harsh. I am just going through a lot. I was betrayed by someone, locked up like an animal, and had to leave for a reason."
"Must have been a family member or someone who you thought was family," Sage said.
Rose looked forward, for a moment, noting a slightly sadder tone in his voice.
"Believe us, we know the story too well," Macy assured. "If there's one family you could trust, it's the Grant Mansion."
Rose just nodded her head, looking over to the window.
"What powers do you have?" Sage asked calmly, his tone slightly gentler.
"...Spider powers. Climb up walls, spider-sense, you name it," Rose answered, as if it wasn't a big deal.
She also didn't want to reveal too much nor everything about herself. Since Rose hasn't fully trusted these two just yet.
Sage glanced back into the rearview, for a minute. "We'll start tomorrow. Aunt Rachel will show you around and get you settled. We have work we need to do. Don't leave the grounds…you'll be safer."
"Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere," Rose said, looking down in regret. "Why do you think I came here?"
"You have our protection now. So, don't worry," Sage guaranteed. "Get some sleep. We still have a while yet. I'll wake you when we're close. You look half dead on your feet with those rings around your eyes."
"I'm fine. Really. I...I don't need to rest," Rose responded, holding back a yawn.
In truth, Rose hadn't slept since the night she had a nightmare about Kraven having her as his pet huntress. But she couldn't sleep right now when she hasn't trusted these two people taking her to the Grant Mansion. That is, IF they're really taking her there.
Macy looked over to Sage with a smirk. "Sounds familiar,"
Sage gave a small growl. "I said get some sleep. You're no good to anyone, if you pass out."
"I said...I'm...fine," Rose replied with another yawn, only to close her eyes and fall fast asleep in the car.
Rose was too sleepy to stay awake. She barely had any energy left to do anything.
Time seemed to be an illusion. At some time later, Rose woke up to a ceiling over her head, in a soft bed with a warm quilt over her, and in a room she didn't recognize. Instantly on edge, Rose sat up and looked around; unable to remember anything except her grudge match with a guy from the train station.
"Ugh. Please tell me I didn't get whacked in the head from behind and in some prison that looks pleasant," Rose grumbled.
Slowly, she got up and walked to the door. Opening it a crack and listening. She could hear the sounds of children laughing and playing along, with the most scrumptious smell that wafted into the room
"Oh, man. Am I dead? I'm dead, aren't I?" Rose groaned, facepalming.
There was no way she ended up in a place that's all laughs, smiles, and good food smell. It seems too good to be true. Just like when being with Kraven for ten years.
Abruptly, a little girl ran past with a large silver and white dog. The little girl froze when seeing Rose, hiding behind the dog. The dog huffed, rolling its eyes at her, as if judging her when hiding behind the door before nuzzling the little girl and licking her cheek.
"Um...hi?" Rose gently waved her hand at the little.
The little girl clung to the dog a little tighter. "Who's that, big brother?" the little girl whispered to the dog, loud enough for the Rose to hear.
"My name is Rose. I'm supposed to be a guest at the Grant Mansion. Although, I might be at the wrong place," Rose admitted, rubbing her head.
The little girl shook her head. "This is the Grant Mansion. Auntie Rachel is cooking dinner with mom and dad."
"Really? Because the last time I was at that place, I didn't see any kids," Rose explained, trying to explain without giving away the whole alien secret business. "They had...Uh, very interesting people. Spider-Man even comes to the Grant Mansion. That I know."
The little girl smiled. "Uncle Spidey is funny."
"Uncle Spidey? So, you actually know him?" Rose asked.
The little girl nodded but grew nervous and hid once more behind the large dog.
"What's wrong?" Rose asked, feeling concerned on the inside.
"You're a stranger," the dog suddenly spoke. "My little sister has never had a good experience with strangers."
"Whoa!" Rose jumped back and went into a fighting stance. "How are you able to talk? Is this another trap I'm in?"
The dog rolled its eyes. "Chill. If I was a threat, your spider-sense would be going haywire right now. Besides, you and I have talked before."
Rose was still unsure. Her spider-sense hasn't been much help to her at all for a long while. But she thought back on where she's heard that voice before.
"...You're Sage. The guy I met at the train station?" Rose said, still not lowering her guard down.
Sage smiled, moving to where Megan was on his back before shifting to human form with his sister clinging to his shoulders.
"Yep. My mom was still setting up a room for you, so I let you crash in my bed. You've been out for about five hours."
"Five hours?!" Rose exclaimed.
Sage nodded giving a soft smile. "Your body needed the rest. If you're going to train, if you're going to heal, you need to give yourself time to do so. For now, I'm saying we hold off on training till you're at one hundred percent, then we'll begin. In the meantime, come on down and explore. Dinner will be ready in an hour."
Sighing, Rose lightly calmed down and moved forward. "Okay. I'll check around."
"You can come with us, if you want." Megan offered in a quiet voice.
Sensing that the young girl was a bit scared, Rose decided to accept.
"Sure. I won't hurt you or anything. I'm still adjusting in knowing if I really am at the Grant Mansion,"
Sage smiled. "Hey, listen. I'm sorry about before... I get cautious when we have an unknown guest around."
"It's fine. I'm cautious, too. Cautious on where I'm at and who I trust,"
Sage nodded. "I noticed. Listen, this is a safe place. No one will harm you, as long as you don't harm them. Would you like to meet my aunt, first?"
"...Okay," Rose answered.
"Sis, hang on, okay?" Sage said leaning forward.
Megan giggled. "Okay."
Sage returned to his wolf form with Megan riding on his back. She cuddled into his fur. Noticing Rose watching him, Sage gave a smile. "I take it you don't have any siblings?"
"No. I'm an only child," Rose answered, folding her arms.
"So am I, in a sense. Megan is my adopted sister and is more precious than my own life," Sage said, as Megan cuddled closer sighing.
Rose looked down a bit on that. The reminder of adoption makes her think of Kraven, Hayden and his family. On one hand, Kraven adopted her just to use her for some evil scheme or something like that. On the other hand, Hayden's aunt and uncle offered to be a part of their family.
"My mom and dad adopted me, after they learned of my abusive past. Later on, I learned that I was nothing but an experiment for means to an end. I got to meet my real father and learned where and how I belong," Sage continued.
Rose felt knots in her stomach. Everything Sage gone had through didn't sound so different from her. Well, probably not the abused past part. Just the experience in being used and mutated as Kraven's pet. And Rose is aware of her birth parents and past...sort of.
"Rose?" Sage asked.
Blinking, Rose looked up to see Sage looking at her.
"Yes?"
"Your scent saddened hard...if you need to talk, I'm a good listener," Sage said.
Now Rose started to think that Sage sounds like Hayden aka White Wolf. Which was not much help, either.
"I'm fine, Sage. Really. Why don't you show me where I will practice my skills? At least, let me have a small warm up before the real thing on training," Rose said, trying to sound like she's okay.
"Nope. Not happening. You're doing three days of rest. No training until I say. Come on. Dinner should be about ready soon," Sage said with a smirk, as he trotted ahead.
"What?! But I can't rest! I need to train so I can get better than what I normally do! You can't just bench me!" Rose argued.
"Rose!" Sage snarled; his hackles raised. "Your body needs time to heal and recoup. You are useless right now, unless you take a chance to heal and reflect. Continue down a path like that and you'll be nothing but a mindless beast."
"DON'T CALL ME A MINDLESS BEAST!" She yelled.
That last part made Rose snap. She had her fists clutched really hard with her stingers halfway showing from her wrists. And that talk about being useless only made Rose upset even more.
"I am not a beast, and I don't ever want to go back from being one ever again! Just leave me alone!"
Sage sighed, turning around. "Good luck getting better."
"Fine! I will!" Rose shouted, going opposite where Sage was to find some place to train.
'Man, what does he know? I'm perfectly fine to train. I need to. Otherwise, I'll end up going soft and fat in not being ready when Kraven comes back to strike. No way am I slipping up. Not now, not ever,' she thought to herself.
Sage sighed. "She's not ready."
Rose continued looking around the Grant Mansion for a place to train. So far, there were only rooms and long hall ways. How anyone is able to navigate through this place is beyond her.
"Come on, come on...Where can I find an exit or a room to work on my fighting skills?" Rose asked.
In her frantic search, she did not notice a hole in the floor.
Her spider-sense began ringing in her head.
"Ugh! Danger? Here? Come on! My spider-sense didn't help me last time and it's not helping me NOOOOOOOOW!"
Rose screamed that last part when stepping on the hole on the floor. She quickly tried using her webbing to stop her from falling. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to be coming out from her wrists.
'What?! No webs?! How can that be?! My webs are organic! I don't just run out of webbing!' She thought frantically.
Down, down, down she tumbled until an opening appeared, and she landed head over tea kettle on a plush surface.
"Ugh...What is going on with my powers? Why didn't my webbing work?" Rose asked herself in worry, only to have a sneaky idea that got her mad. "Sage! He must have done something to me while I was asleep! Probably made my powers go out of whack with a serum or ray or something! I knew I never should have trusted him!"
"Brother, did you hear that?" a deep voice echoed in the cavern.
Rose quickly stopped talking, already standing back up and activating her bracelet to go as Star Spider. Once getting a better look at her surroundings, she discovered that she was in a bedroom have that belong to two giants! Along with being on top of a huge bed. Which explains the soft landing earlier.
'Come on, powers, work with me here. I need to get out of here,' Star thought to herself, closing her eyes to focus.
Without warning, she began running across the bed, jumped, and tried using her webbing on the ceiling to swing herself to the wall to stick.
As luck would have it, she managed to pull it off.
"Yes! I did it! Take that, Sage!" Star whispered in triumph, already climbing up. "Now, to find an exit."
"I did hear something, Way Big," Another deeper voice said, as a massive shadow moved along the walls.
Slowly turning her head, Star Spider's eyes grew wide in shock. She saw two white and red giants with huge fins on their heads. And one seemed to be bigger and had blue than the other.
'Maybe if I stay perfectly still, they won't find me,' Star thought, only to feel her grip loosening a tiny bit. 'Oh, not now!'
"Oh, look, Ultimate Way Big! It's our friendly neighborhood web-slinging hero!" Way Big responded, noticing Spider-Man in a different spider costume.
Star did her best to focus and try climbing up, but her grip seemed to be slipping a little that seemed to be slowing her down.
"Oh, hold on, Spider-Man. Here, let me help," Way Big offered, carefully catching Star Spider in his hands.
Star tried not to panic. These giants clearly seem to know Spider-Man. Which means they must probably be friends with him.
"There. Gotcha. You okay, little guy?"
Before Star could answer and explain she's not Spider-Man, her stun-stingers began to retract on their own.
"Ouch!" Way Big said, feeling them prick his skin.
"Sorry! I'm so sorry! I swear, I didn't mean to!" Star apologized quickly, only to cover her mouth when realizing she just gave away the fact that she's not Spider-Man.
"Who are you? Where is Spider-Man? What did you do to my brother?" Ultimate Way Big questioned worriedly.
"I can't feel my hand," Way Big said, unable to move or get any feeling from it. His hand has gone completely numb!
Star's heart was racing. Her powers just unintentionally hurt probably an innocent giant. What if that might happen to the people she cared about? Maybe do worse damage than just temporal paralysis.
"I...I got to go. His hand will be back working in a few moments, I promise!" Star exclaimed immediately, using her webs to swing herself out of the cave.
"Hey, get back here!" Ultimate Way Big shouted.
But Star kept swinging and webbing until she was outside in what looked like a forest. For safe measures, once being in the clear, the spider heroine deactivated her suit and back to her civilian form before running in the wilderness.