Shout Outs: Thanks to Zimbolical for favoring the story.
Chapter 9: A Grudge
Peter had never believed that he would meet a boy he hated in his life. Flash Thompson was being an annoying prick and Peter would like to do nothing more than to throw Flash out of the building and say it was an accident. Flash was annoying Peter to no end which was why, during lunchtime, Peter exploded.
Or maybe perhaps it was the fact that Peter had beaten Flash in a marathon race in gym class. Peter hadn't meant to do it—he was only going with the flow but he actually managed to beat Flash. And if Peter was right, the class was still trying to process that Peter Parker had actually beaten Flash.
"I've had it!" Peter exclaimed. "I swear: if I have to deal with Flash one more time, I'm seriously starting debate if I should throw him out."
"Well, you could do it you know," Ned grinned who had recently found out that his best friend, Peter Parker, was the actual Spider Man. He was still in shock even if two days had passed and he still found it fascinating and a shocker to him but either way, he happily accepted it.
"Yeah, in that form," Peter muttered before he sulked in his chair.
Ned raised an eyebrow at the sudden behaviour. "Alright, spill. I can tell that something is bothering you so what is it?"
"Nothing," he mumbled.
"Peter…"
"It's nothing."
"Peter—"
"Alright!" Peter cried out with exasperation. He then took a deep breath before he released it. "Tony confiscated my suit," he muttered.
Ned blinked. "I'm gonna be honest with you…I didn't catch it."
"I don't have my suit," Peter said, loudly enough that only Ned could hear him. "Tony confiscated my suit after that stunt I did in the Monument. He got pissed and I no longer have a suit."
"Tony as in…?"
Peter sighed. "Tony Stark."
Ned gaped at him. "Tony? As in Tony Stark? Iron Man?" he replied with wide eyes, staring at his friend with shock. "For Pete's sake, Peter, what else have you been keeping a secret?"
Peter shrugged, shoving his hands in his pocket. "Just Tony Stark and me being Spider Man," he replied quietly at the last sentence.
"Does your aunt know?"
"Of course not! If she did, she would freak out more than Tony!"
"So how are you gonna save Queens?" Ned asked as he turned his attention to his cellphone.
Peter sighed. "I don't know…"
"Well, you still have your onesie," Ned suddenly spoke which made Peter stare at him with wide eyes. Seeing the stare, Ned blinked as he stared blankly at his friend. "What?"
"It's not an onesie!" Peter hissed. "And that's a brilliant idea! I almost forgot I had kept my old suit. And I have my old web shooters."
"Sure, whatever you say," Ned muttered, his eyes not being taken off from the screen. It was then where he suddenly knew what he had said to Peter. "Wait, wait, wait. Back up. Back up. You're still going to fight this flying monster guy even after Stark told you not to? Do you not realize he would be even angrier if he finds out you're still active as Spider Man?"
Peter rolled his eyes. "Look: I've already got lecture from Tony. I don't need another. But I just can't stand here and do nothing while that enemy is still out there, wreaking havoc in the city," Peter replied irritably only to let out an annoyed sigh. "I'm just tired of him treating me like a kid all the time!" he threw his hands from exasperation.
"But you are a kid," Ned replied.
Peter slightly glared at his friend. "Thanks for the moral support," he said sarcastically.
Ned shrugged. "Just saying it like it is. On the other hand, I agree with you but on the other, I don't. Just do what Tony says to avoid any more conflict. Aren't there professionals who handle these things?"
"Yes," Peter muttered, angrily.
Ned shook his head. "Peter, all what Tony wants is your safety."
"But I can handle myself! He doesn't need to be so over protective."
Ned sighed. "Maybe he's hiding something," he suddenly pointed it out.
Peter blinked with startled. "What? What could he possibly be hiding?"
Ned shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe that's the reason why he doesn't want you out in the field. Too dangerous."
"But I've faced dangerous situations before," Peter argued. "I know this is Tony Stark we're talking about—he usually keeps secret but…wouldn't he confide me in if there is trouble?"
Ned merely shrugged. "Maybe there are things where he doesn't want you to find out so it doesn't get you killed."
School finally came to an end which Peter couldn't be happier. However, what Ned had said during lunch, it still hadn't left Peter's mind. What could Tony be hiding from him?
As Peter walked down the path of the school, he suddenly stopped when he saw the familiar car that was parked. Peter sighed but he reluctantly went towards the vehicle and opened the door, sliding in.
The two settled in silence, having Peter staring out at the window.
"You know you don't have to pick me up after school, right?" Peter asked, breaking the silence.
"I know."
Peter frowned as he listened to the tone of Tony's voice. It was firm and did it held a bit of…worry? Peter didn't know but the minute he turned to face him, he blinked as he stared at him. There were bags under his eyes as though to indicate that he didn't get enough sleep and there were worry of wrinkles in his face. Peter trailed his eyes to Tony's hands who tightened his grip on the wheel.
"You look worried. What happened?"
"Nothing," Tony replied hurriedly.
"Something's troubling you," Peter continued. "I can help you but only if you let me."
"Nothing is troubling, Peter," Tony said a bit harshly. Tony took a breath to compose himself. "Look, I'm sorry. I've just had a long day—a stressful one. You don't need to be concerned about it."
Peter sighed as he resumed gazing out the window. "Of course," he mumbled. Throughout the ride, it was silent and by the time Peter reached his house, he was more than happy to get out of the car.
"Say hi to Aunt May from," Tony called out as Peter exited. "And stay out of trouble!"
Peter smirked. Stay out of trouble, huh? That's a good one.
When the boy entered in and closed the door, he could hear Aunt May's call.
"Peter, is that you?"
"Yes, mom."
"How was school?"
"The same as usual. Tony said hi," Peter called out as he climbed up the stairs. Once he got to the room, he slumped on his bed, dropping his backpack on the floor as he stared down. Something had changed Tony—he isn't usually this tense.
"Maybe he's hiding something."
Ned's words flashed back into Peter's mind. Maybe he was and that would explain Tony's strange behaviour. Going with that, Peter got up and went to towards a wall and began to climb. He still has his spare in his hidden area. He opened the door and grabbed his suit then landed on his feet.
He stared at his old suit which was nothing compared to his other suit. Peter made a small smile but it faltered as another idea came to mind. Perhaps, maybe he could get his old suit back but it would be too risky. He sighed. No. His main mission was to find out what Tony was hiding—if he was, that is.
That being said, Peter needed to pinpoint Tony's current location. He knew that Tony wouldn't possibly be at Stark Enterprises. At least, he shouldn't be, anyway. Peter frowned as he put on his Spider suit, racking his brain for any other possible location.
The only one other place where Tony could be would be the Avengers Headquarters. That seemed to be the safest bet. With that, Peter grabbed a sweater and jeans to hide the costume before he zipped down the stairs.
"Hey Peter," Aunt May greeted as he came into the view.
"Hey," he paused. "Hey uhm do you mind if I go outside. For a walk?"
Aunt May pursed her lips at the thought of having Peter walking around alone. Especially with that…creature roaming around. Peter sighed.
"I'll be fine. And if anything happens, I'll call you," Peter said.
Aunt May looked at him before she focused on the TV. She seems to be at a war with herself until she finally spoke, reluctantly.
"Alright. Be safe out there. The minute there's trouble, call me."
"Yes, Aunt May."
And then, Peter walked away and towards the door.
"Love you!"
Peter zipped through the city, heading towards the direction to the Avengers Headquarters but as he was though, there were sirens blaring out which forced Peter to land on a rooftop to get a good look of where they could be going.
Man…
Peter then switched route, following the sirens until he reached the destination. When he did, he was met with a building on fire. Smoke came from almost every direction. The crowd below were all gathered away from the burning building.
Gotta get in there.
The minute he came into the view, the crowd all pointed up to the sky and shouted:
"It's Spider Man!"
And then, Peter zipped through the window, landing on his feet. The air around him was hot; the fire is still crackling while the ceilings were groaning from the pressure, threatening to succumb. He felt his Spider senses tingling, indicating that someone was still here.
"Hello!
Peter shielded his eyes from the blazing smoke and took a step back when the fire roared.
Damn.
He continued to go through the room until he found the person, hiding at a corner.
"I'm going to get you out of there!"
"Please, hurry!"
As Peter took a step forward, the groan increased and Peter looked up at the ceiling, taking in a sharp breath. Just in time, Peter leaped forward, getting out of the way and the wood broke down, blocking the path.
Too close.
Peter carefully took his step and he eventually reached the person, helping her up.
"Grab on and hold tightly."
Nodding, she did what she was told but she only let out a scream when there was another groan, indicating that the whole room was going to collapse any time now and Peter needed to get out of here fast. With that, Peter ran towards the nearest window and just in time, the whole ceiling collapsed, causing an explosion but it threw Peter out of the window clumsily and the person was holding onto him tightly.
He tried to regain his balance but he did it even though it wasn't graceful. He still managed to land on his feet and when he came out, the crowd cheered as Peter handed the woman to the police.
"Take care, alright?"
The woman nodded. "Yes, I will. Thank you."
Smiling behind the mask, Peter released his web shooters and swung into the day. With that out of the way, Peter resumed his gliding to the direction he was supposed to go. As he went further, he was able to spot the large towering building and on the side, there was an A with a circle around it.
The Avengers Headquarters.
Peter let out a breath as he planted himself on the wall of the building.
If he was going to find out what Tony was hiding, then he would have to break into the Headquarters.
Author's Note: Ah, Peter, Peter…what will he think of next? But is Tony hiding something? Of course, he is XD What happens next? Find out!
