DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own Ultimate Spider-Man or any related characters, Spiderman Noir or Pulp era characters and themes. Everything belongs to Marvel, Disney or Dynamite Entertainment... apart from the story.

In short I don't own anything in this story.

This is just for fun.

Hey guys, bet you didn't expect to see me again so soon? This is another In-between story until the main final installment in this series. Figured i'll try and have this story done by Christmas ... so hears hoping.

Enjoy

Chapter 1: Going Independent

New York City – Early Morning

Five years ... it took five long years, but eventually the great city of New York managed to finally get back on its feet after the carnage that was the Dominion occupation. In that time much has changed for Peter Parker aka Spiderman; choices were made ... some easy, others difficult. Currently we find our favorite superhero sitting on a bench in a park on the edge of the city.

Peter has matured a lot over the last five years; now in his early twenties, he has grown a few more inches and has less of a thin build than when he was a teenager. Nowadays he usually wears a dark blue casual jacket and dark jeans, but today he has chosen to wear a smartly dressed suit.

Hey guys, it's been a too long ... well for me, not necessary to any of you but ... anyway. I guess I need to get you guys caught up on recent events. Well since the end of the Singh War things have changed quite a bit. Thanks to S.H.I.E.L.D's involvement in the war, Fury and his lot have expanded heavily thanks to huge military budgets from most of the New Allied governments. They now have a small fleet of Tri-Carriers at their disposal, along with a new subdivision called; Sentient World Observation and Response Department – S.W.O.R.D. and yes it was Stan the janitor that came up with it ... gotta hand it to him, the man has a way with words.

However they're not the only ones who expanded ... believe it or not but the Doomstadt Dominion still exists, however Atlantis eventually separated when the Avengers helped Namor reclaim his throne. Now that I think about it Dr Doom has been very quiet over the last few years ... he only tried to take over the world 3 times this year. Also the public's general opinion on the mutant population has approved since the end of the war ... hey, not every mutant joined up with the Genoshan army, some actually stood up against the occupation. But a few years after the war, Genosha has opened its boarders slightly to allow trade with other countries, and even some minor tourism.

Yep ... the world seems like such a different place now, and when the world changes sometimes you change with it. Now I bet you guys are wondering how I have changed since the war ... well you can all calm down, I'm still the lovable, wise cracking, comedic wall crawler that you know and love. But things are different now ... for example...

S.H.I.E.L.D Tri-Carrier – Five years ago

Nova: You're leaving the team?

In the briefing room onboard the Tri-Carrier, Spiderman and his team are sitting around the table after an intense training exercise.

Spiderman: Yes Nova, Tiger and I talked this over and decided that it's time we...

Nova: Wait ... your both quitting?

White Tiger: We're not quitting, we've decided that we learned all we could here and after everything we went through in the war ... I think we've already proved to ourselves that we're ready to go it alone.

Powerman: Wow guys, I don't know what to say.

Iron Fist: Sometimes words aren't necessary to express one self.

Powerman: Good point.

He muscle bound hero gets up off his seat, walks over to Spiderman and gave him a huge bear hug. Tiger chuckled as Spiderman gasped for breath before being let go by Powerman.

White Tiger: Don't worry guys, it's not like we're never going to see each other again.

Spiderman: Yeah ... we'll hold a ... reunion ... or something.

Nova: We'll actually...

Everyone turns to look at Nova, who seemed to look a little uncomfortable.

Spiderman: Something on your mind dude?

Nova: Yeah you see ... a few days ago I got a message from the Guardians; they might have found a way to restore the old Nova Corps ... and they wanted me to come with them.

Powerman: That's heavy man, so does that mean you're going too?

Nova: At first I wasn't too sure but ... After everything that's happened, it got me thinking about what else I can do to improve things. And now that you two are leaving, maybe I should go. A restored Nova Corps could do so much good and if there's a chance I could rebuild that...

Spiderman: Then there's going to be a lot more bucket heads to put up with in the galaxies.

Nova: Hey!

Spiderman: I'm only busting you bucket dude.

He walks over to Nova and places a hand on his shoulder.

Spiderman: From what I've been told; you were amazing during the occupation and if anyone can bring back the Nova ... it's you.

The two of them share a fist bump as the rest of the team gasp at what they're seeing; Spidey and Nova getting along with each other. Tiger then turns to Powerman and Iron Fist.

White Tiger: Well it looks like it might just be you two left to break in the new guys.

Powerman: To be honest I don't know if I'm going to stay for much longer either. Since everyone else is thinking of leaving, maybe I should consider being a freelance hero.

Spiderman: Like Deadpool?

Powerman: No, not like Deadpool, but something that could provide a service for the community.

Iron Fist: A noble goal, but how can you be sure that you'll won't fall into the same path.

Powerman: Well ... why don't you join me, keep us on the right path.

Iron Fist: You and me ... in business with each other?

Powerman: Yeah man it'll be great; we won't be mercenaries we'd be like ... Heroes...

Iron Fist: For Hire?

Powerman: Hey that's not too bad.

Spiderman: Well it sounds like we all have a lot to look forward to.

Suddenly the door to the briefing room opened and the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D Nick Fury entered the room.

Fury: Alright team, good exercise today, that's you dismissed. Oh and Spiderman ... you wanted to speak to me about something?

However this on the other hand...

New York – Present day

And that was the most uncomfortable conversation I had ever been a part of ... well no actually, there was one other conversation. Do you remember how the previous story ended? The way that Prosp88 dropped me right in it? The conversation that Ava and me had right after I asked her a certain question? Well...

Parker Manor – Five Years Earlier

In the master bedroom of Parker Manor, both Ava and Peter are lying on the bed. Ava is still holding herself up over Peter, looking down at him in disbelief. Still taking in what Peter had just asked her after giving him his present. The two of them just stare at each other for a few moments before Peter breaks the silence.

Peter: You do know that your dress is just barely hanging on?

Ava suddenly gets off of him and zips her dress back up while sitting on the edge of the bed.

Ava: Jeeze Peter ... You couldn't have timed it better?

Peter: Well?

Ava: Well what?

He sat up and moved to sit next to Ava.

Peter: Will you marry me?

Ava: It's a little sudden don't you think?

Peter: I'd admit it wasn't exactly how I planned it...

Ava: Planned it? Who just blurts out something like that? You idiot!

Peter: Ok so it wasn't the most romantic way of doing it, but ... I noticed that you didn't answer my question.

The fact that his girlfriend was quiet, Peter couldn't help but feel a little nervous about what she's going to say next.

Ava: I don't know Pete.

Peter: You don't know?

Ava: I mean ... I've never even thought about getting married yet. I'm ... we're only 17 Peter.

Peter: So ... if I'm not wrong we can get married at 16.

Ava: Well yeah but do we really want to rush this? This isn't like deciding on where to go on a date, this is pretty big.

Peter: I know it is ... and I wouldn't have asked you if I wasn't sincere. A lot has happened over the last month, there were moments when I thought I was never going to see you again and I know that I can't afford to lose you...

Ava: I know, you don't need to tell me, but Pete ... that doesn't mean we should rush this. I love you ... I love you so much but I want to just keep things simple for a while longer.

Peter sighed and took hold of Ava's hands.

Peter: Ok then ... how long were you thinking?

Ava: Maybe we should graduate school first before you ask me again ... collage maybe, and next time better be the full works; flowers, dinner and you down on one knee.

Peter: The romantic touch ... got it.

He leans over to kiss Ava on the lips while at the same time slowly moving one of his hands up along her back.

Ava: What's going on behind my back?

Peter: Nothing.

He catches her dresses zip and gently pulls it down before bringing his had back in front of him.

Peter: Look ... no hands.

The two of them kiss again, and then Peter gently pushes Ava onto her back then climbs on top of her.

Peter: This time I get to be on top.

New York – Present Day

Yeah I don't think

I need to explain what happened next ... anyway, after that night we decided to leave S.H.I.E.L.D and focused on finishing school. By the time we we're a seniors I had started thinking about my future afterwards, then I remembered something that Ava said to me a while ago; about doing something with the money that Lamont had left me, then I thought about the impact the war had down and that got me thinking. You see...

He was cut off as his cell phone went off and Peter reached into his jacket pocket to answer it.

Peter: Parker here?

Stark: "Peter, glad I caught you. I think I found a solution for that little problem you've been having with those cybernetic prosthetics. If this works Parker Industries will be at the forefront of medical science."

Err ... listen guys I gotta take this. I'll take to you later.

Meanwhile

In the deepest, darkest area of the universe; Ego the Living Planet is traveling through the vastness of space. Ever since his ordeal with the Kree and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H, Ego has been trying to avoid the more populated areas of the universe. Currently he is passing by a large star, when suddenly a massive explosion occurs ahead of Ego, blinding him temporally like a flash bang.

Ego: AHHHH! Who dare disturbs Ego?

As his vision clears up, Ego looks ahead of him to see a humongous circular "gateway" in his way. Then suddenly a large alien fleet of dreadnoughts pour their way out of the gateway and flies directly towards him, unleashing a flood of snub fighters as well that completely engulf Ego, firing down onto Egos surface. Surprisingly to Ego, these ships weapons seem to actually harm the Living planet.

Ego lets out a defining screech as he attempts to repel his attackers, letting loose powerful psionic blasts that destroy large portions of the attacking fighters. But for every fighter that he destroys more seem to appear and continue to open fire. Meanwhile the Dreadnoughts start to position themselves around Ego and start to bombard the Living planet with destructive laser turrets.

Alien Flagship – Bridge

Commander: Grand Admiral ... our forces have surrounded the planet and have begun to bombard the surface. We are experiencing resistance but I am optimistic about our ability to pacify this world.

Grand Admiral: Resume the bombardment Commander. We have our orders; Wipe this pathetic planet from the face of the universe!

A/N: Well, I hope I raised more questions than I answered. Until next time...

Thanks