She ran as fast as her little legs could carry her, feeling the heat of the explosions behind her. Her world had just gotten even scarier than normal; not even her Daddy was holding off very well against the yellow guy's dark magics.
Running past a corner, the little girl gasped when she saw a couple of new monsters just past the building...they were looking for the shiny…
Backing away, the girl looked around quickly for an escape route...however, the baddies saw her.
"THERE!" One of them yelled in a distorted voice, pointing towards the young one.
The little one whined...and quickly took off once more, whimpering as the baddies got closer. She had to run...she had to run!
"Aah!"
The young one found herself tripping on the ground and landing hard, looking upwards and whimpering. She clung her little stuffed racoon tightly, looking as though she might cry…
Out of nowhere, long shadows came out and pinned the monsters to the ground, a figure landing in front of the small child. The figure growled in anger, PUNCHING the creatures away, and quickly looking behind him.
"Quick Lexi! Run!"
"...Tosan…" The little one whimpered, looking scared.
The figure only struggled with his enemies, a snarl coming from his mouth and his visor narrowing in a glare.
"Stay...AWAY from her!" He roared, using his extensions to rip apart one of the monsters...only to have three more come barreling for him.
"Tosan!"
"Lexi!"
The little one known as 'Lexi' whimpered, turning quickly as a caped man ran for her making circular motions with his hand, allowing an energy wave to hit one of the monsters.
As soon as it did, the man quickly picked up Lexi and looked towards the other figure, grimacing.
"Steven! Take my daughter and GO!" the other man snarled, struggling with the monsters. "I must know where they took So- GAH!"
"Tosan!" Lexi whined, the man who held her quickly turning and running for a sheltered area.
Kicking in the door to one of the ruined buildings surrounding himself, the man growled and gently set the girl down, making strange motions with his hands.
Lexi looked around helplessly, looking back towards the door, a look of terror in her eyes when she heard her father outside yelling in pain.
"Tosan!"
"Alexis!"
The little girl found herself being picked up and looked towards the other man in fear. He gazed back at her firmly. "I know you're scared. But the only way to save our existence is to do exactly what I say."
"...Demo…"
"As soon as you get there, Look for me." He gave her a little notepad. "And don't stop for anything! Look for me!"
"THERE THEY ARE!"
The caped man gritted his teeth and quickly put a necklace around the child...before he made a motion with his hands…
….and all went white...
***LL***
The cool winter air...the slowly setting sun…
The absolute CHILL that Becky felt, looking at the memorial lights of 9/11.
"...Does it make sense if I say it's so haunting, it's pretty?" She asked, leaning against one of the walls that held the monument of Lady Liberty. "I mean...the memories it holds...but the fact the shadows refuse to be forgotten…" The woman blinked, looking towards the man beside her.
"I'm sorry, I'm spouting off, aren't I?"
"Not at all." Steve replied, smiling back at her. The man looked back towards the lights that illuminated the skies of Manhattan; Signaling a tragedy that he had missed.
"If we don't remember the past, and learn from our mistakes; History is doomed to repeat itself."
"Mary says that a lot." Becky replied, looking back towards the horizon. "She's certainly well read."
"I tend to agree with that." Steve looked towards the girl beside him. "So, now that the Ocean Liner is out of the question...what do you have in mind?"
The woman looked down for a moment, a distant look on her face...what now?...What happened next? Did she try to do what she did before?
Try something new? Stay safe?...or maybe…
"...I really don't know. If I knew the future...I'd be doing everything to get to my place…"
"Don't rush it, Becky." Steve replied, placing a hand on hers. "Enjoy the present...You never know how quickly the future will come."
Becky smiled at her fiance, and looked back towards the darkening sky. "How's your research going?"
"Slow, actually." Steve replied, continuing to watch the night sky before him. "Ever since the attack from Loki, things have been been basically a rollercoaster ride."
"Judging the fact where you're originally from…" Becky looked over and smirked. "I doubt you know what a TRUE rollercoaster feels like."
Steve chuckled. "After fighting an army of aliens? I think I have the basic idea."
Becky laughed at the statement, putting a hand to her face. "Touche...so...You think Stark's going to lay low for a while?"
"...Becky...This is STARK we're talking about."
"...Right...big, bold, and loud."
Steve chuckled and wrapped an arm around the girl. "You hear from your friend yet?"
"Well Faith's in and out of sickness…" Becky turned and smirked. "But I hear our other friend is on the way."
***SM***
"Hey Aunt May." Peter greeted, coming into his Aunt's room with some coffee and a small biscuit...hopefully she'd be able to keep something down this morning. "How are you feeling?"
"A bit peckish, to be honest…" Aunt May replied, smiling warmly at the sight of her nephew coming it, yet again to help her through the day. "Thank you Peter." She cooed, taking the coffee and the biscuit from him.
"No problem Aunt May." Peter replied, sitting in a chair next to her bed. The past four years...particularly this last year, had been really hard on her. She was slowing down...and it had been a nightmare trying to take care of her and shoot pictures of...himself for the bugle at the same time...
He had survived High School...practically everyone he knew except for Harry and Gwen had sailed off to the colleges of choice.
He had a duty to Aunt May...not that he minded; it ment that he could keep playing the hero. Get Spidey Pictures...Ah...who was he kidding…
Spiderman...WASN'T as big anymore...not when the Avengers had saved the ENTIRE CITY from an alien invasion. And the Jolly one telling him to take pictures of Tony Stark...wasn't that glamorous...
"Um...hey, I just wanted to let you know that...I have an interview today with the Allen Corp Science division internship, later this week with Allen Corp business." Peter informed, smiling lightly. "If I get this job, we can have more income than just me shooting for the Bugle."
"Oh how wonderful…" Aunt May replied, reaching for her nephew's hand, who gently took it. "I heard that the Allen Corp CEO is choosing outstanding interns for permanent hire...Lillian V. was it?"
"Yeah, that's what I heard...I was kinda hoping it was going to be someone else, to be honest...but I'm going to do my best to get that job, Aunt May."
"I know you will dear. With that brilliant mind of yours, you can do anything."
"Thanks Aunt May." Peter got up and handed her the wireless phone. "Remember, if you need me, please call me?"
"I will Peter. You go get that job…"
Peter nodded...and softly headed out of the room looking down slightly. Seeing Aunt May sick like this...was really pulling on his 'adult' strings...even though he was just BARELY turned 20…
Shaking his head clear from the worry, Peter ran down the stairs and headed out of the door, checking his bag.
Resume, notebook, phone, extra web shooters…
It looked like he was all set!
RING!
He gasped and quickly fumbled for his phone, quick to answer it. "You've got Peter."
"Mr. Parker? This is Lesslie Gustine, I wanted to inform you that the two scientists that you'll be interviewing with today are on the 'B' side of the building."
"B side, got it. Is there anything I should bring?"
"Just make sure you bring everything instructed...and be mindful of your surroundings."
"Aw comon, it can't be that bad could it?"
***
"Mr. Parker, we've been expecting you." The secretary greeted, taking up a clipboard and looking towards the youth. "Ms. Lillian told me to hand you off to the scientists, should they be busy; and right now our top scientist is pretty absorbed in his work."
Peter smiled at the secretary and nodded, adjusting his good shirt. "Understandable. I hear Allen Corp is the top green facility in New York."
"In the Country." The secretary corrected, motioning him to follow her, walking down the hall and looking over his resume. "Since Ai Rosalynn's death, Miss Lillian V. has been doubling production and has made Allen Corp triple in size." She looked towards Peter, smiling. "There's even rumors that she's thinking about setting up an Allen Corp in Japan, if she finds favor with Mr. Tsumetai."
"Awesome!"
"Very." The secretary finally came to a large door and placed in a code. "Now He's very fussy, so please keep your comments short and to the point. I'm not sure if his assistant is here yet; but if he comes in, he'll be reviewing the process."
"That's perfectly fine." Peter said, watching the door open and following the woman inside. "I'm always open to seeing new -...fac...es.."
Peter's jaw dropped wide as he came into the room...coming face to face...with…
"Ah Mr. Parker, I presume. So nice to see you."
Peter completely stopped walking when he saw Dr. Octavius turning towards him and placing his hands together, looking the boy over for a moment. His mouth went dry...and time stopped.
Otto Octavius?! WHY was HE here?! Why was he...WORKING...a normal job?...and acting...NORMAL!?
"Y-You're….You're Doctor-"
"Octavius, yes. A pleasure to meet you." Dr. Octavius walked over and held out his hand for the youth.
"Octopus!"
There was a tense moment of silence between the three, before the Secretary looked towards the scientist. "Dr. Octavius, I'll leave him to you. I'm expecting a call from Officer Brice about the upcoming meetings for Ms. Lillian V."
Otto looked towards the secretary and nodded lightly. "Yes of course, I'll be standing by." he informed, placing his hands behind his back and looking back towards Peter...who looked like he was looking at a ghost.
"Now then Mr. Parker-"
"You're Dr. Octopus! HOW are you-"
"Mr. Parker I apologize, but I do not associate with that name any longer." Otto replied evenly, a calm look on his face. He turned and picked up the notepad that the secretary had left for him and looked over the information provided.
"...Do the police know you're out of Ravencroft?" Peter asked, putting up a hand slightly in question.
Dr. Octavius was silent for a short while, a strange look on his face for a moment. "Of course, Mr. Parker. But that is beside the point. Let's continue with your interview-"
"Does SPIDERMAN know you're here?"
Otto sighed heavily, reaching up and adjusting his glasses, before he turned towards Peter, a serious look on his face. "Mr. Parker," he replied firmly, a very small glare in his eyes. "We are here to discuss your possible internship here at Allen Corp; Not to discuss my past misdeeds."
"R-Right….Right, sorry…" Peter replied, putting up a hand lightly in surrender. "Please continue then, Dr. Octavius…"
Otto cleared his throat and turned, motioning the boy to follow. "This way Mr. Parker."
***MH***
The jet gilded gently as it came closer to the ground...and made a perfect landing. It then made its way towards one of the private terminals...where Jackson Brice was waiting. The man waited at the main window, watching as the jet got closer. This was definitely a moment that he had never seen coming...in fact everything that had happened the past four to five years had completely turned his life around.
He was sporting a pristine security uniform, and was being looked up to by four cops behind him, who were also waiting on the incoming plane.
NEVER in his life would he have thought that he would become a leader...of justice.
Faith had become his wife and had already had their first child; a son, properly named 'Jackson Jr.' Heh. She had pretty much demanded that she have free range on naming their second child...which was currently on the way.
Jackson, or as he still liked to be known as 'Montana', smiled lightly as he thought of everything he had…
...And he had this person to thank…
"Miss. Vincent." Montana greeted, standing at attention, as his officers did as the figure came out of the door and into the terminal. "Welcome back to Manhattan."
Sophia Vincent looked over, taking notice of Montana...and smiled. "Jackson. You're looking well."
"SOPHIEEEEE!"
Sophia turned, and winced sharply as one of the other officers practically BOWLED her over, embracing her in a TIGHT hug. "HOWS MY FAVORITE BIG SISTER?!"
"UGH! Mark!...Mark let go of me, you moron!" Sophia had to force herself NOT to laugh as Mark Ryder smothered her with tender brotherly affections. "Let GO! I can't BREATHE!"
After a moment, the officer finally let her go...though his other two brothers, Justin and Dennis, practically had to PRY him off of her.
"Let go, you idiot!" Dennis scolded Mark. "You're EMBARRASSING us!"
"Hey Sophie." Justin greeted, giving Sophia a more gentle hug, to which she returned. "How was your plane flight?"
"Long." Sophia replied, setting her one carrying down and turning to face the officer. "Make Mark carry that, would you please?"
Justin smirked. "No argument there." he chuckled, watching Sophia approach Montana.
"Jackson" Sophia greeted, holding out her hand, to which he took firmly. "How's Faith? Are you treating her well?"
"Yes Ma'am. She's doin' very well, though Junior is givin' her a run for her money." Montana replied, letting off a slight chuckle.
Sophia laughed softly. "I believe it. I can't wait for our dinner tonight, there's so much I want to catch up with her on."
"Oh believe me, we have so much to share with you." Montana took out something from his wallet and showed her a picture of Faith with a small two year old little boy, who was sporting Montana's hat, which was FAR too large for him. "Fay has been eager to show you the little guy."
Sophia smiled affectionately and took the picture from him, looking over it in approval. "He's a handsome little guy...so good looking...just like his mother." The woman looked towards Montana and smirked, to which he chuckled lightly.
"So...think you made the right choice?"
"Yes ma'am...I know I made the right choice."
The two began to walk down the hall, the unlucky Mark Ryder grabbing Sophia's bag as the rest of the officers followed.
"Now Officer Brice, I can't begin to stress the...risks I am taking by coming to Manhattan." Sophia stated, taking out her smartphone and looking over the headlines that were simply raving about Spiderman's recent achievements...as well as STARK'S achievements...as well as Spiderman's absence during the alien invasion two years ago. It didn't help that ANOTHER invasion happened not long afterwards, thankfully handled by the Justice League of all things…
Looking towards Montana seriously, the woman frowned lightly. "I want you to know that I'm willing to hear out your reports on our 'special' lab team...But I don't want either of them knowing I'm here."
"Understood boss." Montana replied with a nod of understanding. "Though I want to let you know about Octavius'...episodes."
Sophia paused looking towards Montana with a concerned look on her face...before her look seemed to get somewhat...cold. "What do you mean, 'episodes'?"
"Well-"
Montana didn't get to finish his sentence, because as they turned the corner, a tall dark skinned man was waiting in the area. He looked pointedly towards Sophia, and the woman scoffed.
"Fury!" She greeted semi-sarcastically. "I don't recall inviting you to the party." she said with a smile, approaching him and holding out her hand, which he took.
"Sophia." Fury greeted, glancing towards Montana and nodding slightly in acknowledgement, to which Montana only nodded back. "Before you start lecturing me, I need you to look at something."
"Wow, I JUST landed and you already need my help." Sophia muttered, following him down the stairs, Montana and the Ryder brothers following. "What did Stark screw up THIS time?"
"Actually, it revolves...mostly around you."
Sophia stopped walking and looked confused, raising an eyebrow. "Me?"
"We got high readings of high frequency energy slamming close to Allen Corp laboratories earlier this week."
"Surely my scientists were merely testing their experiments?"
"Unlikely...considering this happened on a Sunday."
Sophia looked interested...when she took over Allen Corp, she had made it a requirement for everyone except for Security to take Sundays off, much like her friends at Chick-fil-A and HL…
...So WHAT...would go off on a Sunday?
"There's one more thing...the energy had a striking resemblance to your bat screech."
Sophia looked up, a stunned look on her face. "...That makes no sense...I JUST landed...and NO ONE can mimic my screech!"
***MH***
The streets of Manhattan were filled with people...the hustle and bustle of the city left much to be desired...though, this city looked different from what she was used to.
It seemed...distant...even though there were SO MANY people here!
Lexi stood in the middle of the sidewalk, watching all of the people walk around her. Some people noticed her...most did not.
The little girl clutched her racoon doll and held onto her little teal parcel, a soft whimper escaping her. Daddy was in trouble...and that caped guy was depending on her to find...well...him….
Letting off a small noise, the small child started walking down the street among the people...her little necklace giving off a small glow as she disappeared into the crowd.
***Disclaimer***
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