"PARKER!"

A startled Peter turns around at the booming voice of Fury that rendered him from his thoughts, but he freaked a little when he realized everyone was staring at him. Peter looks to his side to see Eszter standing beside him, arms crossed and with a bored expression on her face. Then, his attention shifted back to Fury.

"Yes, sir?"

"That thing's going to be here in a few hours," Fury's deep voice booms angrily. "Are we boring you?"

Interjecting, Beck retorts. "He's not bored; he's just thinking about how you kidnapped them."

With a sharp stare, Fury snaps his neck toward Beck. "They had obstacles. I removed them."

"They still won't evacuate the city," Hill adds, meeting Fury's bothered gaze.

Fury groans in frustration, shaking his head as he mutters under his breath. "Idiots," then he directs the attention back to Peter. "So, what's the plan, Parker?"

Eszter flicks her eyes up to Peter, silent throughout the ordeal, but remained distant from their plan, the enhanced occasionally zoning out from their talks. While she could be in Paris, Eszter was stuck here, figuring out a plan to stop a fire monster that suddenly came to life.

"I will be in the cathedral tower keeping watch for the fire monster," Peter slowly starts. "Eszter will stay low and protect the civilians. When that shows up, I will radio you guys, and then Mr. Beck and I will--"

"My name is Mysterio," Beck shoots Peter a playful look.

However, Eszter snapped her gaze onto Beck and stared at the man like she was studying him in silence, shifting gears in her mind as she didn't show any emotion on her face. To her, Eszter didn't believe nor trust anything Beck had to say because everything he's said, the enhanced could feel his pride; it didn't matter what it was, whenever Beck would muster another story, and they'd believe it, Eszter could feel a smug feeling.

Eszter didn't fully trust Beck, but there wasn't any way of her claiming something without proof.

Feeling eyes, Beck met Eszter's gaze--oh, shit.

Peter chuckles lightly. "That's when Mysterio and I will move in."

"Peter, Eszter, listen to me. The best hope you have--the only hope is to stop it here and now, no matter the cost. Keep it away from civilians if you can," Beck says with a strong hint of urgency. Eszter tilts her head in amusement, but her cold stare was burning into Beck's face. "But, most importantly, keep it away from metal. If it gets too big, it'll be able to draw power from the Earth's core. After that, there's no way to stop it."

Peter glances at Eszter at the thought of their friends in the same location as one of the Elementals, but the enhanced didn't seem to meet his gaze; he crinkles his brows curiously, wondering what caught Eszter's attention, but Peter pushes the thought aside.

"Hey, man, our friends are here," Peter swallows nervously. "And I can't help but think we're putting them in danger--"

Abruptly, Fury stood up from his chair and stalks toward Peter with fire in his eyes. "You're worried about us hurting your friends? You?" Peter recoils, lowering his head regretfully. "Stark gave you a multi-billion dollar A.R. tactical-intelligence-system and the first thing you do with it? Is try and blow up your friends." This snapped Eszter out from her train of thought. "It's clear to me that you were not ready for this!"

Eszter was suddenly shielding Peter with her figure in a protective manner, glaring darkly as her eyes shimmered with a violet hue that overtook the green of Eszter's eyes. The enhanced had snapped into a state of mind that posed her as an emotionless person, trapping her into this weird trance. Eszter conjures the energy in her hand, but it remained small as she lets it slide in her palm.

Then, everything went into chaos. Everyone was quick to draw out their guns protectively, knowing that Eszter was dangerous and had came prepared; however, none of their weapons would do anything to Eszter unless they managed to get the shot--and that's only if they can tag Eszter. Nevertheless, this didn't stop Fury's team from pointing their guns at the enhanced with hard faces, ready to shoot on the boss's command.

However, Eszter appeared unbothered with the several guns aiming at her because the enhanced was ready to defend herself if something were to happen. The darkness started oozing from the enhanced and pooled around her feet, and some slithered out from Eszter's back. At that, Peter's eyes widen in surprise as he takes a step back, eyeing the darkness that blocked him from Eszter.

Fury stared at Eszter with no fear in his eye, but he couldn't hide the fact that he was surprised that the enhanced would react on a whim; if Eszter had done any training, the enhanced would know better than to react according to her feelings. Fury was disappointed.

Eszter has some real trust issues.

"Stand down, Maximoff," Hill orders from aside, pointing her gun at the girl.

But Eszter refused to listen. They waited as if she was going to attack, but Eszter merely stood there like a guard dog, protecting Peter from nothing.

So, Fury decided to turn his attention back to Peter, causing the boy to shrink in his suit.

Understandingly, Peter slowly reaches out and hesitantly touches Eszter's shoulder. His eyes bulge as the darkness practically moves for Peter. "Eszter? Hey, hey. It's fine," he soothes, slowly releasing the enhanced from her trance. "You can stand down."

Right on command, the energy orb ceased from Eszter's hand until they completely disperse and blinking away the violet in her eyes. Once she's conscious, Eszter stared back at everyone with their guns pointed directly at her, baffling the enhanced. Awkwardly, Eszter straightens her form and looks back at Peter briefly, noting his hesitancy before registering everyone's slight fear.

Clearing her throat, Eszter bows her head in disappointment as she takes a step back next to Peter. "Sorry, I, uh . . . don't know what came over me."

With a small gesture from Fury, he signals for his team to stand down. But he glared at the teenagers once more, not believing that Tony or any of the other Avengers decided to pass down the Avengers onto two emotionally drained teenagers.

One who can't separate their emotions from work and be more responsible.

💜

Eszter escaped the base when the atmosphere was getting too much for her, and she couldn't handle the constant stares--it was as if they were way for her to snap again. Needing a way out, Eszter had rushed out shortly after Peter when he left on his own terms, and now, the enhanced was searching for him.

On the rooftop, Eszter pushes the door open just in time to see Peter jumping off from the edge of the building, landing somewhere on the ground. Eszter sighs in defeat.

"Oh, hey! Didn't hear you come up," Beck smiles as he twists his body from the ledge, spotting Eszter. "By the way, thought it was cool what you did back there. Standing up for your friend." Eszter looks at Beck with an uneasy expression, but he seemed to have noticed. "Hey, you good?"

Playing it off, Eszter waves her hand dismissively. "Yeah, I'm fine," she huffs, grimacing. "Just needed a break from everyone." Eszter suddenly has an idea. "So, you're from another world, huh?"

Beck musters a smile, feigning a cheerful facade, but Eszter knew more than that. "Yeah. Hard to believe, I know, but . . . it's all we studied, in my Earth," there it was--another lie. Eszter's smile was strained. "You believe in the multiverse like Peter? You seem the type to wanna investigate it."

Eszter hums almost bitterly. "Oh, yeah," she marches toward the ledge of the building, peering over to find Peter standing down below, fiddling with his phone.

Beck claps his hands together abruptly, rising from his spot, and floats. "Well, it was great talking to you, Dusk. Let's hope we get this guy before he destroys all of humanity," he quickly flies away.

She nearly scoffed. Of course, Eszter couldn't feel Beck.

Deciding that topic will be discussed later, Eszter takes one step forward and falls from the top of the building. Watching as the ground got closer, Eszter conjures the energy, and she thrust a beam of energy out to catch herself before she could hit the ground. At the mere sound, Peter jumps with a hand over his chest.

"Jesus, you scared me, E," Peter huffs breathlessly. He then furrows his brows and looks up the same building he was once at, frowning questionably. "Did you just jump from that?"

"What, thought only you could do that?" Eszter smirks. Then, she starts making her way up the flight of stairs. "You coming?"

Peter quickly follows. "So, you're okay now?"

Eszter shrugs. "I guess. I'm not even sure what happened, to be honest. Something just came over me, like, I just felt so fed up," Peter stares at her side profile, frowning in concern. Eszter couldn't even explain the way it felt under that weird feeling. "It was me, but not me-me."

That was quite alarming to hear.

💜

"Good news," Mr. Harrington and Mr. Dell rounded the students in the lobby. One teacher had a look of excitement while the other was bummed. Everyone was dressed accordingly for the Carnival of Lights with glow sticks decorating them. "We're going to the opera!"

The students groan in disapproval, unhappy with the sudden changes. Not only did they lose their trip to Paris, but now they're taking away the Carnival of Lights.

Mr. Dell wiggles his finger. "Don't look at me."

"What happened to the carnival?"

"Oh, this is upgrade living, guys," Mr. Harrington strives to sway. "Come on. The tour guide just gave us these tickets for free! Do you have any idea how much opera tickets cost?"

Suspecting something odd, Ned looks in Peter and Eszter's direction; the enhanced merely gives a subtle look, while Peter was internally panicking. Luckily, Ned had an idea of what might be happening, so he decides to help as best as possible.

"No, because none of us have ever wanted to go to the opera," Flash states firmly. "Ever."

Ned steps in. "Uh, well," he side glances between Eszter and Peter, continuing. "I think it gonna be culturally envision for us."

Pointing at Ned, Mr. Harrington beams ecstatically. "Thank you, Ned. Everyone, this is gonna be, maybe, the best four hours of our whole trip."

"Four hours?" They exclaim, absurd.

"Guys, I think it's gonna be really fun. Seriously."

No, it most definitely won't be.

💜

It didn't take long for the group of students to get dressed in their best clothes and were currently on their journey to the opera house, walking in the opposite of the crowd, who were making their way to the Carnival of Lights. Much to their dismay, the students weren't going to be spending four hours of their trip somewhere enjoyable, unlike the opera.

Eszter didn't try on her outfit for the night, knowing she'd have to switch out of it shortly and into her suit. She found another black dress rolled up in her suitcase, next to a few articles of clothes that were a dark colorful mess.

"I bet now you're all happy I had you pack a nice outfit," Mr. Harrington fixes his tie.

"Yeah, because we'd much rather got to a four-hour opera instead of the biggest party in the world."

"Again," Mr. Dell says. "Don't look at me."

Eszter and Peter stayed in the back of the group, walking side-by-side, when a voice picked up through their comms. "Parker, Maximoff, do you copy? Comm check, one, two."

The couple shares a quick look before tearing their gaze away, following the group as they continue down the path. Soon, they arrived to find the theater nearly empty.

"Okay, here we are. Beat the rush."

Mr. Dell scoffed. "Yeah, the rush out."

"Lucky for us, we got the best seats in the house," Mr. Harringotn nears the front row.

Eszter somehow found herself with Michelle when peter had drifted off, but the enhanced played it cool as she rounded the corner. Suddenly, Brad was sneaking up from behind and touching Eszter's back, and when his face appeared in front of Eszter, the boy flashes her a smile.

"Hey, I'll save you a seat," he insists.

Please, don't.

"Wow, he's got it bad," Michelle hums as soon as Brad walked away. She cackles at the thought. "You think he'd get the hint."

"Yeah," Eszter barely cared. Instead, she huffs quietly before gesturing for Michelle to lead the way. "Go, I'll be there in a bit."

Michelle glances between Eszter and Peter and flashes them a knowing smirk before she chuckles from the back of her throat. Then, leaving the two alone, Michelle makes her way to the front row, taking the seat next to Brad. For Eszter's sake, Michelle opted in creating the space between her friend and Brad, seeming to want to help ease the tension between the two.

But Peter admires Eszter for a moment, looking like a dumbstruck kid who's sickly in love. It took Eszter a second to realize it, but once she did, the enhanced laughs softly into her hand, feeling a bit awkward. She grew flustered under Peter's gaze, especially the way he was staring at her--it nearly made Eszter blush.

"What?"

"You look really pretty," Peter awes.

"So, therefore, I have value?"

That took a turn.

"What?" Peter's eyes widen in horror, panicking for a quick response. "No, that's not what I meant at all."

Suddenly, Eszter bursts into a fit of giggles. "I'm kidding, Pete," the enhanced lightly punches Peter's arm. He rubs it as he chuckles anxiously. "Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself."

"Are you two in position?"

Eszter sighs in dismay, dipping her head as she grew spiteful of the whole ordeal. Peter notices this and doesn't further engage in the conversation, knowing exactly how Eszter feels.

"No," he answers.

"Why the hell not?" It was silent. "Parker? Maximoff?"

"We should probably go before Fury busts a blood vessel," Eszter lightly jokes.

"Parker, Maximoff?"

"We're coming," Eszter snaps, frustrated.

Then Ned walks by when Peter reaches out to stop him. "Hey, we gotta go. Just make sure everyone stays here, okay?"

"Okay. Be careful. And whatever you do, please, steer the monster away from the opera house."

"Yeah, Ned, we know."

"Peter, we gotta go," Eszter calls, tugging on his arm.

Finally, the couple took off, unaware of the lingering eyes from the front of the opera house. Curiosity killed the cat as Michelle rushes up from her seat, walking back toward the other end of the theater and rounding to the entrance. Betty noticed this next.

"Where do you think she's going? Do you think she's going to the carnival?"

Ned stutters. "I--I don't--"

Betty suddenly gasps, sneaking up from her seat. "We should go, too. Yes, we should go," she pulled on Ned's hand, but the boy didn't move, so Betty leads the way. "Come on, let's go."

Ned groans quietly to himself, almost desperate to leave Betty on her own, but he couldn't bear the thought of her getting hurt. Not only that, but he had promised Peter that he'd make sure everyone stayed within the opera house.

Begrudgingly, Ned jumps up from his seat and follows Betty.

Hopefully, no Elemental monster kills them.