Both sides of the war gathered together. Not to fight, but to mourn. Mourn at Clint Barton's funeral. Heroes from both side got together and honor a man who risked his life everyday, saving the world from the likes of Hydra, AIM, and the Masters of Evil, all with a bow and a whole lot of trick arrows. One by one the guests left, leaving only Black Widow and Thor. The two stayed quiet reminiscing of all the times they spent together saving the world, and celebrating afterwords. Heck it was Thor who encouraged Clint to make the first move, and since then the two were inseparable.
"Natasha." said Thor in order to break the silence.
"How can you still stand with Captain America after what he did to Clint?" asked Natasha.
"He's making Midgard a better place. He didn't mean to…" Black Widow just turns her back, and cuts him off.
"There's nothing more to say Thor…" she starts to cry. Thor wanted to comfort her, but she made her feelings clear, she wanted nothing to do with him. Thor just flies away, leaving Black Widow to grieve. Steve approaches Widow slowly. Feeling terrible was an understatement, after all the blood of her lover was on his hand.
"I'm sorry...It was an accident." said Captain America. Black Widow stood there silently, "I never meant to hurt him, I had to stop him…" Captain America continued to ignore him, and this was bothering him. "Please say something, or do something." She finally turned her head around to look at Captain America.
"You want me to do something?" she turns around fully and fires a couple of a electric shots at Captain America, shocking him. This continued until Captain America finally grabbed hold of her wrists and crushed it. "Go ahead, finish the job. Show me the man who killed Clint. We all believed in you, we believed in the man and not the super soldier." Captain America started to look annoyed at her, he wanted to shut her up. But even he knew that there are some things you don't do at funerals.
"I'd watch your words Natasha." said Captain America.
"Or what? You think the rest of the world as fragile human beings, something that needs to be protected? We are not that fragile, and we will take you down."
"We?"
"Use your deductive skills and look at me closely." He studied her body very closely, and noticed something, and it shocked him.
"You're pregnant…" He started to slowly walk away and when he was far he used a device to teleport himself away. Natasha just looked on and watched Captain America leave.
"Did you get all that Cho?" asked Natasha.
"I told you to call me Prince of Power!" said Amadeus Cho.
"My bad Prince of Power. But you did get all of that right?"
"Yup your lenses recorded everything." She continued to look into the sky, thinking to herself that she will be the one who takes down Captain America.
…
Peter Parker was slowly waking up from his recent treatment. First thing he saw was Aunt May sitting by his side. She explained to him that there are in a new location, that not even Captain America and the Avengers could access, the Sanctum Sanctorum. Doctor Strange had agreed to house him and allow Claire Temple treat his spine injury, but that is all he is going to do. Peter wondered who it was that led Aunt May here.
"What happened...Where am I?"
"Shhhhh dear, you need your rest." said Aunt May.
"I'm perfectly fine, I just need to…" Peter struggled to get up, but with the injury he sustained from Captain America's attack caused him too much pain for him to get up. In fact he can barely move.
"Claire said you shouldn't move too much, it is a miracle that you are conscious right now." said Aunt May. "Besides you are not the only one fighting against the Avengers."
"Hey there handsome." said Black Cat
"Oh god no why are you here?" said Peter, "Aunt May why would you trust her?"
"Dear it wasn't my idea, it was Harry's. Besides she seems lovely and with the condition you're in, we need all the help we can get." She was right, with Captain America stopping all wars and bringing peace to the world, his popularity is at an all time high. He has support from almost everyone, and very few were coming to Spider-man's aid.
"You're right Aunt May." Peter turns to Black Cat as much as he could, "thanks for helping us find safety. How did you get Doctor Strange to agree to this?"
"Trust me tiger, I am much more resourceful than I look." Peter didn't want to think about what she meant by that. But he sure was glad that he had a friend to help him out. " Besides you've been very naughty boy. Captain America has been searching all over the world for you, so together with your remaining Secret Avengers we found Sanctum Sanctorum the safest place for now."
"I appreciate all you've done, but I can't stay here. I need to…"
"You need to stay here. You are in no shape to do anything." said Black Cat. "You need to trust us." As she said that; Black Widow, Amadeus Cho, Silk, Cloak, Dagger, and Iceman, walked in showing Peter that he still has allies with him.
...
Elsewhere in Asgard, Odin was watching events unfold in Midgard. He wasn't liking what he was seeing. Before he didn't pay too close of attention to the events and activities on Midgard since his son Thor was down there. But things have been changing. Someone was consolidating power all over Midgard which could threaten all nine realms. Loki had a feeling about what Odin was going to do and warned Captain America and his Avengers of Odin. Captain America knew of Loki's past and immediately put him in a cell, but to everyone's surprise Loki didn't fight back.
"This is the single worst idea I've ever heard." said Tony in disbelief "Did you forget Steve, that this is the guy who gathered an army of Chitauri and tried to invade all of Earth?"
"I know that decision may seem unwise, but I assure there's a reason for this." said Captain America calmly.
"Unwise? In the time it took you to finish that sentence I thought of three hundred different scenarios. And all I can say is that this is past unwise, this is just flat out stupid."
"I have to agree with Mr. Stark." said Harry Osborn. "He's dangerous."
"He came here to warn us. We may need him." said Captain America.
"He is the Norse God of Mischief, it's in his nature that purposely cause chaos." said Harry Osborn.
"They are right Rogers." said Loki. "Your pets or whatever you want to call them are wise enough to fear me, but you and I are the same." Tony didn't like the comparison. To him Loki was just madman bent on world domination just to feed into his ego, and Steve is nothing like that.
"You are nothing like Captain America! He is making the world a better place. While you...you view everything as your plaything." said Tony. Loki just smirked at that comment. He wasn't too wrong with his judgment of who he was. He knew he caused a lot of pain, destruction, and chaos on Midgard, they were right to fear him.
"If you want to think of me as some kind of monster, then do as you mortals please. But Captain America, we both want the same thing. We both don't want Odin involved in Midgard."
"Steve, he is a literal God of Mischief, how do we know he doesn't have some sort of diabolical plan to take over the world? How do we also know Odin is going get involved?" asked Tony
"I'm just here to offer you my services. If you want me to stay in the cell, fine with me. But know this I am just here to assist you in case my father gets involved." He sits back down in his seat, and waits. Tony and Harry just looked on with caution and wanted to voice their concern, but Loki spoke before they can get the chance. "By the way where is my dear brother?"
"He is away at the moment." said Captain America.
…
Thor along with Vision, and Mr. Fantastic were in Westchester visiting the X-mansion. The students all looked on and a few whispered about why they were here. As far as the students knew no one here broke any laws, and Captain America had supported the X-men. Outside the mansion doors were Charles Xavier.
"Greetings Professor Xavier, thank you for meeting with us on such short notice." said Mr. Fantastic.
"It is quite alright, please come inside." They followed him inside, and more students continued to whisper to each other about the Avengers. Mr. Fantastic and Vision ignored the students, but Thor heard everything they were saying, and it was bothering him. He wondered why couldn't they understand that they are here to help. And even when they entered his office, he still thought about it. They saved the world multiple times, so why didn't they trust them?
"So what brings you three to my school?" Asked Professor Xavier.
"Just a simple check up." Said Mr. Fantastic, "Captain America wanted to make sure everything is all okay, and nobody's getting hurt ever since the new mutant protection act was passed.
"I appreciate what Captain America has done for us." Said Professor Xavier, "but I fear that is not why you are all here."
"You read our mind?" Asked Thor.
"No, I trained myself to never misuse my power like that. And I can assure that my students have no interest in this conflict the Avengers have with Spider-man." said Professor Xavier
"My sensors detect that a few members of your X-Men have expressed assisting Spider-man's team." said Vision.
"I certainly cannot blame them, we always had a close relationship with him. And with what you are doing to the world, I do not blame them for feeling that way."
"We are making this world a safer place, you should be thanking us for ensuring safety to all Mutants!" said Thor.
"I dedicated my life to ensuring both humans and mutants can understand one another and live peacefully. What you are doing is forcing two beings to get along without understanding each other."
"That may be so, but it is still peace." said Mr. Fantastic.
"Enough of this." said Thor, "Which of your X-men members is helping that traiter Spider-man!?" Thor glares down at Professor Xavier. Neither of them flinched.
"As I stated earlier none of my students are interested in this conflict."
"TIS A LIE." Roared Thor, many of the students all took notice of his roar and also at the same time a single thunderbolt was struck.
"Now Thor, you have to control your temperamental attitude. You almost killed someone." said Mr. Fantastic. Thor knew he was right for the most part. Ever since Green Goblin tricked Captain America into killing his wife, and destroying most of Brooklyn, Thor has been bit on edge. He showed more aggressive behavior to everyone, no one was safe with him angry. But he knew he had better control over his powers, so he doesn't know why there was a lightning strike. He took a look outside and knew exactly what it was.
"I must go, Odin called for me." He storms out of his office, and everyone took look outside to see what was going on. They found Thor walking up to Beta Ray Bill, and the two teleported elsewhere. Both Mr. Fantastic and Vision got the information they felt they could gather and left. Professor Xavier looks on as they left. Scott Summers walks up to him with a concerned look on his face.
"Is everything okay Professor?"
"We need to make sure Bobby is safe. And I fear that an inevitable battle is coming. We have to be ready."
…
Thor went back to Asgard with Beta Ray Bill and was asked about his involvement in Midgard by his father Odin. Thor couldn't believe how Odin felt threatened by Captain America. He was enforcing peace in Midgard, and stopping all wars. He thought that this was ridiculous. When Odin told him of Loki's involvement, Thor started to get concerned. He left Asgard to head back to the Avengers Tower, but Odin left him with a warning. If he continues to support Captain America's crusade, he may run the risk of no longer being worthy. He comes back home to Midgard and with everyone else out on a patrol and enforcing Captain America's ceasefire, he was by himself. That was what he thought. He quickly found time traveling X-man Bishop offering to help him and telling him about how the X-men are involved. He became enraged at Charles Xavier's deception. He quickly travels to the X-mansion and demanded an explanation. He heard the same thing as before. His patience has finally worn thin.
"I AM TIRED OF YOUR LIES!" screamed Thor, "YOU WILL TELL ME WHO IS HELPING SPIDER-MAN!" He grabs the Professor Xavier's throat and lifted him in the air. From behind Wolverine bursts in and slashes his back to release him.
"Let him go goldilocks. If the Professor told you there is no one, than guess what? There is no one!"
"You raging beast! You dare strike the son of Odin!" Wolverine charges at him, as Thor throws his mighty Mjolnir and it hits Wolverine out the window. He recalls his Mjolnir and turned his attention to Professor Xavier. His rage was at an all time high and raised his Mjolnir and before anything happened, Thor was teleported to the throne room of Asgard.
"What is the meaning of this Father!?"
"I am disappointed in you Thor. I was a fool to think you were worthy."
"Do you not see what has been happening? Midgard is in danger!"
"You were about to kill a man. For that I stripe you of your worthiness." Mjolnir drops to ground, and Thor did everything he could do to lift it back up. "And I cast you out!" Thor was sent spiraling back down to Midgard, striped of his Godhood.
"So dear brother, you know what it is like to lose favor from Father." said Loki.
"Loki? How did you…"
"Escape? Please your pitiful prison is nothing to the God of Mischief."
"Is this why you are here? To gloat?"
"No my dear brother, I'm just here to help you find a suitable replacement." Thor was weary of this, but he didn't have much of choice here.
"What do you have in mind? What do you gain from this?"
"Something I've always wanted, you and I working together." Thor looked at him for a moment. And After considering everything he followed Loki to find a new replacement.
….
News spread amongst the Avengers of the X-men's involvement with Spider-man. Captain America was clearly not happy. He gathered all of the Avengers and went to the X-mansion and demanded the arrest of Professor Xavier. Iceman saw the Avengers coming and when he heard that they were going to arrest Professor Xavier, He contacted the Secret Avengers and asked for help. Spider-man couldn't join them so he sat with Amadeus Cho and help coordinate the attack as the Secret Avengers went to stop Captain America. In the meantime Iceman went outside to confront the Avengers.
"Cap stop, leave the Professor out of this. It's me you want." All of the X-men looked on in disbelief at this. Bobby Drake, who is normally the jokester of the team, is finally acting like the person everyone berated him over who he always should have been.
"So you're the one who has been helping Spider-man?" asked Iron Man.
"Yeah just, me and me alone. No one encouraged me to join him." said Iceman.
"Why, after all Captain America has done for you all!" said Captain Marvel.
"I know what it is like to be hunted and hated." Iceman started to reminisce his time before he joined the X-men. He spent many days and nights on the run from the mutant hating humans. He was always on the run and couldn't spend a second to take a rest. The rest of the X-men immediately felt the emotion he was feeling. They too all knew what it was like. "I easily could've fought back and kill anyone who would try to hurt me. But I was thankfully saved by the X-men, and they taught me to channel my anger and…" He then started to think about the first time he met Spider-man. He thought finally someone who understood him, someone he can relate to and someone he can trust. "And Spider-man taught me with great power comes great responsibility. I know he is breaking the law, but I say who cares. Your law sucks and I'm willing to help a friend out. Even it means fighting the world."
"Is that so." said Captain America. "Well then Bobby Drake I place you under arrest." Before he could handcuff him, Cyclops fired a optic blast that knocked the handcuffs out of his hand.
"Sorry Steve, I can't let you do that." said Cyclops.
"You ain't taking Frosty anywhere without a fight bub." said Wolverine. The rest of the X-men charged in to take out the Avengers and the Avengers fought back. A massive brawl erupted between the two teams. The Avengers had the upper hand for a bit as some of the X-men were making sure the younger members were taken to safety. The Secret Avengers finally arrived and helped the X-men fight back. They all followed Spider-man's careful instructions. Black Widow was the first to charge against Captain America to fight him one on one. The two went back and forth, it was stalemate thanks to the Super Soldier pill Black Widow took.
"I never wanted to hurt you Natasha, I never wanted to hurt anyone." said Captain America.
"Oh shut up Steve. You were greatest out of all of, you must be able to notice how you are becoming a dictator." Shouted Black Widow. "I'm just glad Sharon isn't around to see who you are now." Captain America rushes up to her and grabs her by the throat.
"Don't you dare you utter Sharon's name!" In one quick second she electrocuted him with as much voltage she possibly could with her gauntlet, and this knocks him down.
"You're lucky Steve, I promised Spider-man that I wouldn't kill you and show you mercy, something you never considered for Clint. Despite everything you've done, Spider-man still believes in you."
"Black window is Captain America down?" Asked Spider-man over the communicator.
"Yeah he is down." She looks around to see the savageness of the Avengers, and show much the X-men are fighting back. She then turns to Captain America who was slowly getting up. "Steve stay down you can't win this, the Avengers are getting overwhelmed." Slowly one by one the Avengers are getting knocked out. And things finally started to look like the Secret Avengers would win. Out of nowhere a giant lightning bolt struck down and axe flew out striking down many X-men members. The Axe flew back to its wielded, Thor and Loki stood next to him.
"Fear the might of Jarnbjorn!" Together with Loki they charged in and fought against all of the X-men. This distracted Black Widow long enough for Captain America to pull out a handgun and fired multiple times at Black Widow. She collapses to the ground, blood spilling all over the ground. She struggled to get up, all she could do was look up and see Captain America slowly walking towards her.
"Y..You Lose." said Black Widow. "These contact lens, recorded everything. Everything I saw, the world saw. You can't hide behind your facade any longer. Everyone now knows you are not their savior. Soon more and more people will rise up against you." Captain America no longer wanted to hear this and left to fight alongside the Avengers. Captain Marvel was able to call in the Sentinels, which gave the Avengers a huge advantage and it didn't take long before the tides turn against the X-men. Thor finds Iceman and grabs hold of his neck.
"Iceman this is all your fault, all of this death could've been prevented if you didn't get involved." He wasn't wrong, so many X-men dead or captured. He wouldn't be surprised if the Mutant Protection Act would be repealed.
"You may be right. But they died for what they believed in. The belief that mutants and humans can live peacefully without a madman in charge." said Iceman
"Kill him Thor." said Loki as he approached the two.
"Thor don't listen to him, he is trying to trick you."
"He will continue to help Spider-man, and continue to bring destruction to Midgard."
"Thor, you can still be the be the hero we all still believe in." Thor made his decision, he took Jarnbjorn and strikes down Iceman. Spider-man had seen enough, and demanded a full retreat. Too many people were dying.
"Cut the feed now." said Spider-man.
"Why? The world needs to see more of Captain America's..." said Amadeus Cho
"No...Bobby is down, Black Widow is down. as well as most of the X-men. We can't win this." While they gained the support from the public, Peter feared that they also unintentionally caused everyone to fear Captain America even more. A few members of the X-men escaped with the Secret Avengers, while the rest were either dead or captured. Thor looked around saw so many dead bodies, and it shook him.
"What have we done?" asked Thor.
"The same thing you've always done dear brother." said Loki.
"Saving the world."
….
A few minutes have gone by, and Black Widow lied on the ground. She started to feel cold. Her only regret was not being able to see how Spider-man will take down Captain America. A shadow approaches her, but she was too weak to look. This must be what took Clint to the afterlife she thought. She heard him mumbling something, but again she was too weak to make out what he was saying. Instantly in the next second she found herself standing in the middle of the woods, all healed up. She looked around to see what happened and saw Doctor Strange.
"Where am I?" asked Black Widow.
"I intervened…" said Dr. Strange. "You are in another universe, where you were fated to die, much sooner than in our universe." She heard a baby crying in a distant, she rushes to see where it came from, and to her shock she saw the baby being held by someone she truly missed, Clint Barton.
"I don't understand…"
"Clint Barton of this world lost his Natasha one year ago. While I can't guarantee your happiness. I can at least give you each other."
"But my world's Captain America…"
"I can't take you back there, not any time soon at least. I've broken too many rules. And you sacrificed too much" He opens a portal and before he goes he looks at the baby. "Goodbye Kate Barton. I hope you have a wonderful life." He steps through the portal and the portal closes, leaving the three of them alone.
"Kate…?" asked Clint.
"Yeah that was the name I was going to give to my...our child." said Natasha.
"I've always liked that name."
"I know." Clint just looked at Natasha, tears started to come out, and all he could do was smile and embrace his love of his life.
"Hello pretty ballerina."
….
Not everyone escaped with the Secret Avengers. Jubilee and Shadowcat were on the run in the middle of Central Park. Soon SHIELD agents surrounded them at the Central Parks Carousel. The two were too exhausted to run anymore and embraced their fate. Multiple Gunshots went off and the two thought they were hit. They look around and they saw all of the SHIELD agents dead. They saw a random van in front of them, they common sense screamed don't get in and were wary.
"Get in now! There are more coming!" Again their common sense screamed no, but they had little choice with SHIELD agents coming. They get in the van drove off.
"Thanks for helping us." said Shadowcat.
"Save your energy, we're not safe yet."
"Why are you helping us? Do you want the Avengers after you?" asked Jubilee
"Nothing I haven't handled before. Besides I've seen enough innocent blood being shed, Captain America has gone too far." The two just looked at each other from the rearview mirror Jubilee recognized the driver. The last time they met, she was with Wolverine and they worked together to stop the sell of an illegal Mutant Growth Hormone drug. But she knew what he was capable of and it scared her.
"Are you going to stop him? Even it if means killing him?" asked Jubilee.
"Kill him? No he doesn't deserve death. He deserves to be punished."
….
Year two of Captain America's rise to power has come to an end. The X-men are no more, and while the Secret Avengers gained new members and small public support. The public also witnessed the the wrath of Captain America and the Avengers can bring down. I still must honor my sacred vow to never intervene, and can only watch. I do hope year three brings more hope to Spider-man and his Secret Avengers.