¹ Dragonfire's Awakening - Ultimate Spider-Man ✓

Back In Black

Spider-Man's POV

Even though I'm sure my best friend Harry Osborn had everything a young man like him could wish there was something more about him, wasn't there? And I'm certain I wasn't nitpicking when I noticed that my old stormin' Norman had been distant towards his only son. I wasn't the only one who discovered it, right? Even Smaug didn't spend as much time with Harry as I thought she would, considering he's the lady's man.

Smaug was tolerating Harry just fine, but she wasn't as fascinated with him as nearly everyone else at that school. "Hey, webhead, still got your head in the clouds, huh?" uttered a familiar voice, and I pivoted towards it to find Smaug making her way toward me. Immediately, I snapped out of my reverie. It wasn't often that Smaug would approach you and engage in conversation.

"Uh, hey Smaug, what's up?" I asked. Smaug raised an eyebrow before leaning against her locker. Her long red hair was tied up in a man bun, which suited her quite well. "Not much; I'm just wondering where your buddy is. Usually, you have MJ and Harry trailing behind you, right?" she replied.

I nodded, and Smaug smirked. "Good, but you know what? Let's find him. I've noticed something strange about him that I told you about," she said. I nodded again, and Smaug scoffed before motioning for me to follow her. Soon enough, we found Harry alone in a classroom. He had bags under his eyes, and I wasn't sure if that was good for him.

"What's going on, Harry?" Smaug cooed, patting the young Osborn on the shoulder. "You had me worried," she added, and I shivered. It was rare, and I mean rare, for Smaug to get nervous. No, I hope she doesn't fall for Harry, too, I thought, tensing up. Harry blinked wearily at her and let out a heavy sigh. "I'm fine, Smaug. Nothing's wrong. I just got a little behind on my homework, that's all," he replied.

"Uh-huh," she hummed, and suddenly both hands slammed down on the table in front of Harry. Her back arched, and I saw small fangs and claws pointing in different directions. Oh no, she's angry. "Listen, Harry, I'm one of your friends and want what's best for you. Tell me what's going on now," she demanded, her voice warm but with a tower of authority woven in. Harry abruptly stood up and glared at the red-haired girl. "You're not one of my friends, Smaug. I don't even know you. Just go away," he said before storming out of the classroom.

"He'll probably come around," I said, placing a hand on Smaug's shoulder. She sighed and ran her long fingers through her hair. Her tight-fitting blouse accentuated the muscles underneath. "It doesn't work that way, Pete. Harry has something going on, and I will find out what it is, even if he won't tell me. That kind of anger isn't something you easily escape from with me," she declared. Then, she, too, left the classroom, leaving me alone.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

As I stepped out of the room, I couldn't help but think that if anyone could uncover the truth, it was Smaug. However, I also was concerned that she might delve too deeply.

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The sound of a rumble shook the city, causing many New Yorkers to look up, but they saw nothing. A flickering shadow passed over the skyscrapers, engulfing the moon in darkness. The sound of wings and growling filled the air.

"Grrr," came a growl from a dark corner, and I instinctively stuck my head in, on high alert. "Hey, Spidey," said a deep, feminine voice, and I jumped in surprise. But when I turned around, it was just Smaug in her full heroic costume, her reddish-brown wings spread wide and her yellow eyes glowing. "H-hey, Smaug," I stuttered. Smaug smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder. Even through my suit, I could feel the warmth emanating from her.

"Scared of the dark?" she asked. I was taken aback and simply shook my head. Smaug chuckled and flapped her wings, causing her to hover above the ground. "Come on, Spidey. We don't want any lurking creatures in these streets to catch us off guard. I have something I need to take care of at S.H.I.E.L.D.," she said. I swung after her as she ascended towards the massive black ship hidden in the clouds above us.

As we arrived at the Helicarrier, Smaug landed and headed towards one of the corridors. Since I didn't have anything better to do, I followed her.

"So, what brings you here then?" I asked as I walked alongside her. Smaug's wing brushed against my back for a moment before she stopped in front of a door, entering a series of codes before stepping inside as the door opened. Inside, I saw something I never thought I would see—a vast pile of gold, jewels, and other exquisite treasures. "What in the..." I trailed off in disbelief.

"Nick said I was allowed to have my own little treasure chamber here at S.H.I.E.L.D since I don't really have a place to call home in this perilous city. I may appear human, Spider-Man, but I'm far from it," she explained, taking a golden cup and letting a few flames dance around it before handing it to me. "Comfort?" she offered.

I took the cup and peered into the shimmering water inside, noticing Smaug's scoff. "Did you think I would poison you? Spider-Man, we're friends. I am loyal to those who deserve it," she said, and beneath all the playfulness, I could sense a tinge of sadness. Instantly, guilt tore at my chest, and I pulled up my mask, drank from the cup, and handed it back to her. Smaug's ears twitched, her red-golden scales catching the light.

She placed the cup back in the pile, waved her hand, and soon all the gold vanished. I blinked in surprise.

"Magic," she simply said and walked out of the room. I followed her.

As we made our way out of the Helicarrier, I pondered long and hard. I wanted to spend the evening with Smaug, but New York needed both of us. We could each patrol different parts of the city; Nick wouldn't be pleased if we got in each other's way.

"I'll head north," Smaug said, as if she had read my thoughts. "You choose your direction. See you back at school tomorrow, Spider-Man." With that, she flew off, and I sat there for a long while, watching her go. My two thought companions, a blue angel Spidey and a red devil Spidey, piped up. "Just tell her your feelings, man!" snapped the red one, whom we can call Lucifer. "For once, I agree with you, butthead," added Gabriel. I blinked and sighed. "Only Smaug can get you two to agree on something," I muttered, and both of them disappeared with a poof.