Hi guys! I wasn't sure about this chap, so please let me know if I can improve it. I fixed the stupid mistake about the stones in my last chap, sorry about that. Anyway... chapter 12! Enjoy!

Tony tugged absentmindedly at his shirt collar where it chafed slightly on his neck. Once upon a time he wouldn't have deigned to leave the tower wearing anything more casual than a sports jacket (at least not in the public eye), but he rarely had occasion to wear suits anymore, and he had gotten soft. Still, right now he almost felt like the old Tony. He was in town preparing for tonight's press conference, and various lackeys were scurrying about doing whatever it was they did, but Tony had stepped out for a minute after seeing a missed call from Pepper. Alright, he admitted to himself, maybe I'm not so much like the old Tony anymore. He held the phone to his ear as it buzzed.

"Pepper?"

"Hello?"

"Pep, honey it's me!"

"Oh! Hi baby. Everything alright?"

"Yeah, sorry I missed your call. I'd love to chat but I gotta go in a sec. Did you need me?"

"No, that's ok. I'm sure everything will go smoothly tonight. I'm sorry I can't be there, but the little princess has still got the sniffles. I've been expressly forbidden to leave. Did you get an answer from Peter by the way?"

"... yeah, he's not gonna make it this weekend. School night and all that. Don't worry, I'll keep bugging him."

"Oh. Well you could drop him off in the morning. I could speak to May, I'm sure-"

"No! ...no, she's right. Maybe next weekend. Honey I really gotta go."

"Well don't be too late. Love you."

"Love you. Bye."

Tony hung up. He was about to go head back into the fray, but he thought it couldn't hurt to try. He went into his favourites column, and pressed the contact with the spider icon next to it. It rung for a minute before connecting.

"Pete?" Tony couldn't hear anything on the other end. "You there buddy? You've muted yourself again haven't you? Call yourself a techie."

The phone was silent, and Tony realised he was probably speaking to the inside of Peters' pocket. Oh well, the kid would probably text later. Tony hung up, and re-entered the preparations for the press conference, wondering vaguely what the kid was up to now.

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"The- the soul stone?"

Peter was panicking, but only very mildly. It felt rather like he was sat in the middle of a test that he was supposed to have studied for, even though he'd had no idea they even had a test. It didn't help that both Clint and Dr Strange were scrutinising him closely, their expressions unreadable. Sweat began to collect on the back of his neck in little droplets. Think Peter, think.

"That's uh, that's the yellow one, isn't it?" He asked, hoping his voice didn't betray his nervousness, but with a sneaking suspicion that it did.

"Hmm. Close, but not quite." said Strange, the corner of his mouth twisting slightly.

"It's orange. I have to say, I'm surprised you managed to use the stones considering how little you know about them. How did you do it, I wonder?"

Peter shrugged, before realising this probably wasn't a suitable answer, and saying hurriedly "well, um. I, uh... just sorta... thought about getting rid of the aliens and... did it. I mean, Bruce- Dr Banner- had already done the hard part, with the de-ashing, um, (materialisation?) um, bringing everyone back."

At this, Clint let out a small snort and the corners of Strange's mouth actually did quirk up in amusement. "Some people might consider what you did to be reasonably hard, Mr Parker," said the doctor, "but admittedly your lack of knowledge on the properties of the stones isn't ideal."

Embarrassed, Peter fidgeted with the teacup in his lap, tracing the floral pattern with one finger before bringing it to his mouth and taking a sip. The tea was pleasantly warm, with notes of something spicy, maybe ginger, cutting through the sweet liquid. He looked up again. Dr Strange made an intricate gesture with his hands. Within the same second, a holographic image appeared just where the doctors' hand had been. Peter realised what it was immediately. The soul stone. Almost unconsciously, he leaned forward in his chair, eyes fixated on the image. A small, oval gem. Nothing special about the shape or cut of the stone, at least, not that Peter could see. It was odd though. It was as if there was something- no, many things- within the stone. Like, the stone itself wasn't orange so much as the contents were. Peter found himself leaning even closer. He was certain there was something in the centre of the stone, but he couldn't see. It was all hazy. The contents were shifting, ever changing in a sort of misty haze, and Peters eye followed them as best it could. But he couldn't see them, not really, and it was driving him crazy. It seemed like every time a shape was just on the edge of forming something solid, something recognisable, it suddenly became nothing more than mist. He had a strange urge to be inside the stone, to be able to examine the contents...to...it was so beautiful. So beautiful.

Then it was gone. Peter blinked multiple times, trying to regain focus in his eyes. He must have zoned out for a minute there. He had been looking at the soul stone...except now that he came to think about it, he couldn't quite remember what it looked like. Well, he knew what it looked like. In theory. But he couldn't actually visualise it. All in all it was pretty disconcerting, and when the doctor started talking it didn't register with him immediately. As soon as he realised he tuned in and tried to pretend he'd been listening the whole time.

"..s you may already know, the soul stone gives the user the ability to alter and manipulate all souls, regardless of physical state. However, because of its immense destructive capabilities, it requires a sacrifice in order to obtain the stone."

Peter glances over at Clint as Dr Strange continued to talk. He was looking in the doctors direction, but didn't appear to be actually seeing him. His face was unguarded, and it felt almost intrusive for Peter to be watching him when Clint himself wasn't aware of it. He dragged his attention back to Strange.

"...was his adopted daughter Gamora, and in ours, Ms Romanoff. We had thought that the snap was irreversible, and I do believe that there is no way of resurrecting Ms Romanoffs body."

In spite of himself, Peter sucked in a sharp breath at the news. Strange broke off, and looked at Peter with something that strongly resembled kindness in his eyes.

"Mr Parker. I would not have asked you here just to tell you that all hope was lost. It's true, I don't believe there is any way to resurrect Ms Romanoffs' original body. That is lost. There may, however, be a way to resurrect her soul, if she is where I think she is. And from there, well, building a body isn't so very hard."

"You can actually do that?" Peter asked, incredulous. This was wilder than anything he had imagined in his way here, and he had a pretty active imagination.

"Like, with magic? Actual magic? And where do you think she is?"

Strange was too dignified to shrug, but he did the facial equivalent of one. "Yes, actual magic. Well, magic, and a little help from science. As for where Ms Romanoff is, well, I believe you've been there yourself."

Peter must have looked as blank as he felt, because the doctor began to elaborate. "I have been doing research about the properties of the stone, and I have made some interesting discoveries. If I am correct- which I usually am- then there is a pocket dimension within the soul stone. I believe that is where Ms Romanoff's soul has been sent, and I believe that the pocket dimension is where your own soul was briefly sent, Mr Parker."

"But... I didn't sacrifice myself for the stone."

"Didn't you? You sacrificed yourself in exchange, at least partially, for the use of the stones' power, and that appears to be close enough."

Peter had seen some amazing things since he gained his powers, but they were usually accompanied by equally terrible things. He had been to Germany, and had almost been crushed by a bridge. He had been to space, and he had disintegrated. He had held the power of the universe in one hand and he had died. This was different, because they actually had a chance to do the impossible, and bring someone back from the dead. Or from the pocket dimension. Wherever she was. This time there was actually hope. It was different in the most fantastic way, and he was bursting with curiosity as to how they were going to manage it. Then a dreadful thought occurred to him, and chills ran across his arms.

"But... we cant get the soul stone without sacrificing someone else." Now Peter felt awful They couldn't sacrifice someone else to get Nat back, and that- that would mean-. He looked up at Dr Strange and Clint, hoping against hope that they would tell him there was some other way. There had to be another way.

The two older Avengers were eyeing each other warily. This didn't help Peter much and he was becoming more anxious with each passing second. Surely they weren't thinking of sacrificing someone? Finally, Clint took it upon himself to speak.

"Well that was our first problem. Good news is, we figured out a way past that."

This eased Peters nerves slightly. Just slightly. "...How?" He asked with trepidation.

Clint was ready with the answer. And when it came, it was both absurdly complex, yet absurdly simple at the same time.

"Time travel. After you used the stones, we gave them to Steve so he could return them to their original timeline. If we get to him before he gets to Vormir, then we can bring the stone back to this timeline, and find a way to bring Nat back from the pocket dimension. One we're able to create a body for her of course."

"This is amazing!" Peter was beyond thrilled. "This is so cool. It's going to be just like Doctor Who! Have either of you ever seen Doctor Who? Oh it's amazing, he's this time travelling alien who travels through the galaxy and-"

He realised he was gushing again. He could feel adrenaline start to kick in and he was already really hyped, but when he spoke again he made an effort to be calmer, more collected.

"I mean- ah, good plan. Great idea. Wait- can I- I can go with you, right? My arm's almost healed, and I can help I promise! Please let me go with you."

He sat up straight and put on his most mature expression, the one he used when trying to convince May to let him do something.

Clint looked surprised, but Dr Strange's face remained as inscrutable as ever.

"You want to help that badly?" said Clint. "Because, we're not fighting any enemies here, but you gotta understand, time travel is always risky. Strange has got to stay here to look after things on this end, so if anything happens, we'll be on our own out there. No backup."

Peter nodded. "I know. I want to help, really. I don't think I could live with myself if I left you guys to do everything by yourselves."

Besides, he was desperate to do something to help other people again after so long on the sidelines. It was hell seeing the news every day, seeing the horrible acts that for some reason people still committed and being stuck at home, wondering if he could have somehow stopped it. But he didn't say any of this.

Clint smiled reassuringly, but there were traces of worry around his eyes. "Peter, you're brave, but no one would think any less of you if you chose to sit this one out. Least of all me."

Strange cleared his throat, and Clint looked back at him in confusion. The doctor seemed almost guilty. "Actually, I'm afraid that we do need Mr Parker for this one."

"We do?" Asked Clint, rather more pointedly than Peter had heard him speak before. Dr Strange shot him a glare before continuing.

"Beyond the actual obtaining of the soul stone, we have the rest of the plan to consider. Mr Parker is the only one of us actually capable of entering the pocket dimension, let alone getting out again." He now directed his gaze towards Peter, who was more than a little startled by the news. "If we are going to do this, we will need your help. And it will very likely be dangerous. Will you think about accepting?"

Peter didn't need any time to think. "I'll do it." He said immediately. "Of course I'll do it."

Clint looked more worried now, but the doctor looked pleased.

"Thank you Mr Parker. Really."

Peter was glad to be helping, but it was going to be really hard to keep this from May and Mr Stark. "So, when do we... ah...leave? You know, for the past." Wow, that felt so cool to say.

"Certainly no later than a weeks time." Said Strange. "There are preparations to be made, but nothing that need concern you for now. In fact, I need nothing more from you today. Let me open a portal for you."

The doctor began to make the hand gestures that were almost becoming familiar to Peter, but he stopped the doctor quickly.

"No! Thank you sir, really, but I should probably... take the subway or something. Secret Identity and all that."

Strange nodded graciously. "Of course. I'll see you to the door." He stood up, and began to walk away from the chairs, thankfully not floating this time. Peter glanced back at Clint. The archer looked back, forehead heavily creased in what looked like concern. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then shut it again. Peter wanted to ask him if everything was ok, but Strange was moving further away, so he turned, and hurried after him. When they reached the front door, he turned to Strange, who looked at him expectantly.

"I was just wondering... how are we supposed to time travel without the machine that the others made? Wasn't it destroyed in the battle?"

Strange's was as usual, hard to read, but Peter thought he detected a hint of... smugness?

"Well," said the doctor in smooth, cultured tones, "at the risk of sounding insufferably arrogant... they didn't have me."

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It was late afternoon by the time Peter got back. It was a sunny day, so he had decided to make a detour to Central Park, and had grabbed some lunch. It had given him time to think about everything that Doctor Strange had said. He didn't feel nervous, though. He felt... excited. He was in a good mood when he entered his apartment.

"Hey, May!"

She was sitting at their small dining room table, phone in front of her, resting her head on her hands. She looked up when Peter came in, and alarm shot through him when he saw that she had been crying.

"May?" He whispered, moving to sit next to her. He was so afraid that something terrible had happened. What if... no. No, nobody else had died. They hadn't.

"May what's going on?" He asked, heart in his throat. He looked at her phone as if it would give him an answer. Confusion took the place of fear. That... that was his phone. Why did May have his phone?

May exhaled slowly, and raised her eyes to look at him. Peter almost reeled back. She was seething with anger, betrayal, and worst of all, hurt.

"You've been talking to Tony Stark?" She asked, her voice unusually thick, and her eyes glassy. Peter felt his insides collapse. May's next words were carefully controlled, but they still managed to crack like a whip.

"The lies are going to stop, Peter. They are going to stop. Now."