Chapter Fourteen:
"Hello, true believers. This is Stan on the Street coming right atcha with some of the biggest, most amazing, most spectacular news of the day."
A jovial old man stands in front of a fence and walks down the street. Several clean up crews haul pieces of debris and construction crews move in to construct some of the fresh new buildings for the entire world to see.
"Boy, I tell you, the world's been turned upside down over the last couple of days. I don't even know what to tell you or really how to begin. These Kree are nasty, but it's a good thing that our heroes were here to save the day, as they always were. They banished the Kree back to the stars. I tell you what, it's going to be a long time before the Kree messes with the Avengers."
One can see the jovial smile just deepen on the old man's face.
"Of course, we're all asking one very important question. One question that is very crucial and is on the tip of the tongue of every man, woman, and child alive. What could happen next?"
Stan on the Street navigates around a pile of debris. A family of four surveys the damage on their home. A scraggy man with a beard steps in front of Stan.
"Excuse me sir, do you have any comments about what just transpired today?"
The man moves over with a ragged breath.
"I told you….I've been telling everyone, that those aliens are everywhere! And now they just show up? And one of them's been here on this Earth the entire time. I mean, they could be anywhere! Anywhere! They could be that guy down the street, they could be that next door neighbor, they could be the people in the government. The Lizard people are running things...why just a few months ago I saw one of them running around in a lab coat in the downtown streets in Queens."
"You saw one of the Lizard people?"
"You're damn right I did. He didn't have his human suit on, but I know that it was him. And that's proof that they are everywhere, proof. And they're going to come to your front door. Prepare for war, because someday, the Avengers won't save you. Nothing will save you. You will have salvation only when you realize that you can prepare for the end. They'll be back!"
Stan on the Street pulls the microphone back.
"One man's opinion on the chaotic events of the past day. I tell you what, true believers, I can't even begin to describe the excitement of what's going on around here...excuse me, M'am, do you have an opinion?"
"MARRY ME, SPIDEY!"
The woman's squeal causes Stan to almost stagger back and tug on his ear. He takes a couple of feet back.
"Well, we have some excited people today out on the street. And it's Stan on the Street, bringing you all the news, that is news, across the nation. I guess we're going to have just kick back and see what's going on next. Until next time, I want you to all stay tuned because the craziness is going to continue. You all have a pleasant day. EXCELSIOR!"
X-X-X
For once, Peter finds himself with the rare feeling of having some downtime, even though it's not going to last. The end of the invasion, the latest invasion at the very least, crawls to a close. The cleanup effort takes place and Peter hears with confidence that they manage to keep a lot of potentially dangerous alien technology off of the street.
"So, it seems like I missed a hell of a celebration."
Peter turns around and sees a smiling Sue in the doorway. She wears a more casual white tank top and blue jeans which fits her very nicely as far as Peter can tell. He moves slightly towards them.
"Sorry you missed the invitation."
"I'm sure you can give me a downpayment and we're going to have to schedule another appointment sometime."
Sue leans in and kisses Peter on the lips. She reaches behind and grabs a handful of his ass with a playful smile.
"Behave yourself."
"Hey, after all I've been through, I deserve to have a little fun."
A smile crosses over Sue's face and Peter cannot help and chuckle. He hears the elevator pinging on the other end. Sue and Peter walk over where Bobbi and Daisy exit the elevator. The two remain in the process of having a conversation and Peter raises his eyebrow when the two women walk over. Daisy and Bobbi stop short.
Bobbi's eyes glaze over Peter.
"So, Daisy's informed me how I missed the save the world orgy. Well, the latest save the world orgy...because I just had to be in the middle of a HYDRA stronghold at the wrong time."
"They're like cockroaches."
Bobbi answers with a nod and a smile, agreeing with Peter's assessment one hundred and ten percent of the way. She moves to him close.
"We're going to have to make up for lost time, sometime."
A chuckle follows with Peter closing in.
"I don't doubt that."
"You really shouldn't doubt me at all, hero boy."
She just smiles at him and Peter returns the smile. Seconds pass as the two offer the other a lingering stare which seems to last for a very long time.
"So, other than missing your chance to get off, how did the mission go? You said you ran into HYDRA?"
"Yeah, but it was one of the lesser put together cells. It wasn't that big of a deal."
She takes a deep sigh and continues on with giving her report.
"The most important thing is that we salvaged the Kree technology. We kept it away from HYDRA, AIM, or anyone else who might want to get their hands on it."
A nod follows from Peter. He struggles to think of who he fears more getting their hands on high-tech alien technology. An organization like HYDRA or AIM is always bad news, but there's always the chance that some random criminals on the street can get their hands on the technology and cause serious damage.
"We got one of the crashed Kree Ships. Hopefully we can take it apart and study it without triggering a signal."
Peter just smiles.
"I'm sure if SHIELD needs me, I'll be able to help them."
"Yeah."
Daisy just smiles and Peter motions for her to come with him. The two of them head into the opposite direction to allow Bobbi and Sue to compare notes about what technology they came across in the salvage efforts.
"So, are you heading back to SHIELD?"
One can almost see the look of slight annoyance popping over Daisy's face the second Peter asks this question.
"Yeah, I'm going to have too. Because, I'll be buried underneath a mountain of paperwork otherwise."
Peter just smiles and reaches in to lightly touch the top of Daisy's hand. It brings her back into the conversation.
"I have someone that I want to talk to. I feel that his part in helping stop this invasion should not be overstated enough.
X-X-X
About an hour later, Spider-Man finds himself on the SHIELD ship to talk to an old friend or maybe the better word would be an old fiend. He comes face to face with the man behind the glass, Doctor Otto Octavius who keeps his gaze calm and collected when looking at Spider-Man.
On the other side, Cass and Laura watch, doing their jobs. It seems very unlikely that Ock can and will break out to cause havoc given the security around SHIELD. No one wants to take any chances at the moment, though.
"So, you've played your role in saving the world just like I did play my. I offer my congratulations to you."
Ock's voice is calm, collected, and there's a part of it which puts Spider-Man on his guard. Yet, there's a lot about Ock which often puts Spider-Man on his guard. He takes a look at Ock.
"You don't look so good."
Ock just rolls his eyes as Spider-Man when peering at him through the glass of the cell.
"Your powers of deduction are as strong as your wit. But, the truth is, one can measure my life in a span of months, and not years. Everything I've done has been an opportunity to prolong my life. I don't have to recap it for you."
"You wasted all of this time where you could have done some good. And instead you waste your time on petty revenge and criminal schemes."
"The world is chaotic at best. You have to do what you must to survive, or you will be buried underneath it. There will come a day where you learn it. Providing of course you live long enough."
"Oh, I know about all of the world. You could have risen above everything. You just chose not to. You do have it in you. You could have stayed silent and not assisted us against the Kree."
Ock's glasses slide down his face. He slides them back up.
"Do you honestly believe that I have any desire to spend the rest of my life underneath the control of a group of blue barbarians? No, I don't think that I do. And I assisted because changing the world is futile when it's destroyed by a group of zealots."
"And you could have changed the world before now, and for the better."
"I don't wish to hear a lecture of morality from an overgrown manchild who thinks he's witty."
Spider-Man stands calm despite Ock's cutting comment. At one time, he recalls looking up to Otto Octavius as a pinnacle of scientific brilliance. And he still respects the man's intellect. However, there's also a lot of ego and vanity, and the fact Otto's gone off of the deep end so many times before which brings Spider-Man to pure anxiety.
"As I still breath and even as my body weakens, my number one weapon is my brain."
"Your remaining days will be spent with you thinking about what you could have been. And sadly, I think you'll live long enough to regret it."
"One man's ignorant opinion."
Spider-Man gives Ock a pitiful sigh and twists the crystal leading into the cell. The power cells start to fire up to life and cause Ock to enter an animated slumber. Spider-Man steps back from him.
Laura raises her eyebrow and even Cass looks at him.
"Time for us to go."
X-X-X
Several pieces of equipment lay across the table at Horizon. Peter swings back around and Kara turns around to greet him as she looks it over.
"You know something, if I ever see another Kree again, it will be much too soon."
Peter laughs and wraps an arm around her. The two ease into the closeness they're feeling and when Kara's sure no one is looking, she steals a quick kiss from Peter.
"I'm with you right there."
Peter and Kara stand shoulder to shoulder with each other, and looks over the piece of equipment on the table. It becomes obvious to Kara just how much the Kree rips up from some of the Kryptonian designs. Despite the Kryptonians being the inferior race and not worth the Kree attention. Which causes Kara's eyes to just roll back in her head.
"Well, it's a shoddy design, although it will have to do?"
"You think."
"Yeah, these slots should hold crystals. The problem is one wrong brush against them…."
Kara slides her thumb against it and the circuit board emits smoke. Then it starts to milk into a pile of goo on the table.
"The fact none of their ships failed is one of the biggest miracles out there. I still don't know how they pulled that one off, but hey, they did, so good for them, I guess."
She releases her lip in a solid bite and just rolls her shoulders back.
"I've got you a complete inventory of what all of the little components are and if we can use them again. And more importantly, if it's possible to replicate them with any technology we have on Earth. The Kree...they did have some ideas, even though their attitudes were…."
"Quite narrowminded?"
It's not quite the word Kara intends to use, but it's the word she will use. She turns towards Peter a second or so later. She holds out the clipboard.
"Very nice. You know you're way too qualified to be a mere personal assistant."
Kara bites down on her lip and suddenly nervousness hits her.
"That doesn't mean...you're not going to fire me, are you?"
The fear in Kara's eyes causes Peter's heart to melt. He shakes his hand and brings his arms around Kara to hold her closer towards her.
"No, but we might think of getting someone to take up your personal assistant job. Because, you're way too valuable to be carrying my notes and fetching my coffee. Especially with your responsibilities expanding."
Kara's just happy to work with Peter. The fact her responsibilities may expand brings some giddiness and some excitement all over Kara.
"Are you serious?"
"Absolutely. When am I not serious?"
"Well, a few times, but never for something like this. Seriously though, you are pretty wasted by getting my appointments in order. There's so much for you to offer."
"It's no big deal."
Peter puts a hand on Kara's shoulder and smiles at her.
"What kind of boss would I be if I let you languish in a position which was well beneath your capabilities?"
The thought enters Kara's mind as she absent mindedly brushes a lock of hair away from her face.
"A real crummy one?"
"Precisely. We can talk about the substantial raise you're going to get and the new position."
"Well, I would like it if you did put me in a new position."
It takes Kara about ten seconds to realize this particular statement can be taken the wrong way. She breaks out into a fit of laughter.
"I mean...wow, anything can be twisted around into sex?"
"Only if you have a dirty mind, Ms. Danvers."
Peter leaves Kara to her work as he has another young blonde which he needs to check on.
X-X-X
Gwen sits in front of the portal technology, legs crossing over and deep in thought. She breaks out with a couple of heaving thighs while wondering what she can do and how she can get there. She brushes the lock of hair away from her face and bites down on her lip.
"Troubled?"
She jumps up just in time to see Peter stand behind her. A hand firmly places on her shoulder.
"Don't worry. We'll find you a way home if you really want one."
Conflict hits Gwen very hard. Does she want to be home? Yes, in some ways, she would like to go home, and in other ways, she finds it a very scary proposition to go home.
"I believe we had this conversation about me going home. About how there was a lot that I wanted to get away from back home...providing we can find home."
It will take some time to get the portal up to operational order one more time. And that's if they can find her dimension. Not knowing the exact coordinates to lock onto when it's time to bring her back home. It's going to be a wild.
"I understand."
A sigh passes over Gwen. Despite the fact she knows that Peter's not judging her for being too nervous to face her problems properly, there's a part of her who feels like he is. Mostly because Gwen's judging herself and that causes a sting to pass over her body. She releases her lip in a very slow bite.
"And yet, I feel it necessary to try and clean up the mess back home. It's frustrated, I guess there's a part of me who really doesn't know what I want. You ever feel like that."
"Yes, in the past."
Peter places his arms around Gwen and pulls her in close. She seeks comfort in the arms of Peter.
"For the record, if you think you have a responsibility for the people of your Earth...then you should go it. After all with Great Power…."
"There must also come great responsibility."
Peter reacts by sliding his arms down Gwen's front for a second.
"It's what he told me...what his uncle told him before...well before I lost him."
A light kiss on the back of Gwen's neck and a neck rub relaxes her. He shifts the movement down to Gwen's shoulders and relaxes her a tiny bit. At least as much as Gwen can relax in a situation like this which she holds many doubts about.
"They are words to live by."
She can feel a smile on the back of her neck and Peter's fingers keep working out the tension knots to make her feel even better, and more relaxed.
"Indeed."
Peter pulls away and they face each other on a more serious level.
"Well, in theory, we're going to have to find your world, and stabilize a bridge between your Earth and my Earth. And then when that happens, we can go back and forth...it's not goodbye, it's just a new place for you to get away from things, when they become too rough."
"Do you think that you can do that?"
"For you, always."
Gwen cannot help and lean up to kiss Peter on the lips. She pulls away from him with a smile, and a bit of a far off look in her face.
"I guess I don't want to face him...the Goblin King. He's...well that's where a lot of my problems come from."
Peter gives a sympathetic smile and hand squeeze. He can feel the obvious frustration coming from her. Given Peter's prolific goblin problems, it's becoming clear how Gwen's breaking
"Goblins and Spiders are natural enemies the universe over."
X-X-X
The usual post-alien invasion recovery operation takes place with Peter, Daisy, Carol, and Jessica making their way to the old HYDRA outpost. Daisy's source proves to be on point as one might expect.
"There's trouble."
Jessica's outburst directs Carol's attention to a downed part of the Kree vessel. It's an engine with a purple crystal jutting out. On one side, several AIM scientists stand with laser blasters. On the other end, several HYDRA operatives face off with them in a very threatening manner. They aim their weapons at each other.
The one thought crosses over Peter's mind and he draws in his breath.
'Boy, this can get really ugly, really quickly, if we don't do anything.'
The HYDRA and AIM agents circle each other and ugly is pretty much the word for how things are going to get on both sides. Peter, Carol, Jessica, and Daisy make their way in.
"You better stand back! AIM is here first. You will not pass us!"
"Bah! AIM is an embarrassment! HYDRA are the true masters of the world."
"How many times must AIM fall on their face before they realize that it's HYDRA who rules the world?"
Both sides prepare to shoot their weapons at one and other. Daisy blasts one of them over to the side with an attack.
On the other end, Spider-Man swoops down.
"And those beekeeper suits are still ugly for the record."
The AIM scientists turned around. One of them jumps back a bit.
"Spider-Man!"
"Yeah, it's me! Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man ready to lay a friendly neighborhood smackdown on you!"
Spider-Man rams the goon down across the back of the head and drops him down onto the ground. One of the AIM scientists fires at him. Spider-Man spins around and shoots a line of webbing on it.
"We'll have none of that, thank you, sir!
The web slinger sends the AIM scientist crashing down to the mud.
"I wonder how you can get a suit like that dry cleaned."
"For HYDRA!"
Daisy knocks one of the larger goons down with a swift legsweep. She jumps up and disarms one of the other HYDRA goons. This henchman falls down to the ground, potentially regretting his career choice. Or he may if he has any sense. Daisy snaps him back down.
"Boys, time to wrap this up!"
One of the HYDRA goons rushes to the tank. He comes face to face with Captain Marvel. His attempts to go punch to punch with her do not work out in his favor.
One huge uppercut punch knocks the goon down onto the ground.
"Okay, so there's that."
A blast from behind her only stuns Carol a second. The HYDRA operative takes aim a ther. At least up until the moment Spider-Man takes aim at him, and web yanks the cannon out of his hands and drops him down to the ground with a sickening thud.
AIM rushes off to go and fight another day. Daisy rocks their world and prevents from from going any further.
"Alpha get in to secure the vessel."
One of the HYDRA agents charges in. Jessica takes him down with an uppercut punch.
"HYDRA will rise again!"
This battle cry causes Spider-Man to nail the offending party in the back of the head. Whatever HYDRA and SHIELD agents had sense slip off into the darkness, ready to fight another day. And there will be other days for them, that much is for sure.
"Yeah, so says you."
At least another piece of alien technology gets out of the bad guy's hands. Putting another dent in two groups of them lead to a pretty good day.
X-X-X
Back in New York after his avengers with SHIELD and the Avengers. Spider-Man swings from wall to wall and lands on the ever present gargoyle which gives him an overview of the entire city, in all of its glory, which puts a smile over his face.
'Ah, New York City, the more things change, the more they stay the change.'
A loud sound of a present alarm catches Spider-Man's attention and it also triggers his Spider-Sense.
'And one thing I can count on never changing is Shocker deciding to cause some trouble by robbing a bank. Never chance, Herman, never change.'
It does Spider-Man's heart good to see Shocker still plugging away in his absurd costume. Spider-Man swings over to take a closer look towards her.
"Hey, Shocker!"
"Get out of my way! Can't a guy make an honest living?"
"Well when that honest living results in you robbing a bank, yeah, I think I could have a slight problem with that. Maybe it's just me though…."
Those words cut off the second Shocker sends a vibrational attack at Spider-Man. The web slinger dodges the attack and pops back behind Shocker.
"Is someone upset they didn't make the cut for the Sinister Six? Man, it must suck to be up there with the Gibbon, the Grizzly, and the Hypno Hustler."
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!"
Spider-Man notices Shocker's upgrades coming right at him. The shocking attack causes Spider-Man to avoid. Shocker's put some tweaks on him.
'Never thought of him to be stupid. Although he is pretty amusing when he gets riled up. Like I'm riling him up right now.'
The web slinger positions Shocker in a place where he can do the least damage.
"None of your tricks is going to work on me, Spider…."
Shocker's gauntlets start vibrating on their own accord and cause him to launch back into the wall.
He realizes that it's not the gauntlets. But, it's Quake who stands in front of him. Shocker lifts up his hand. Daisy flips her wrist and nails Shocker with another attack.
She moves in and snaps the cuffs on him. Spider-Man looks at her with a raised eyebrow.
"I had it handled. It was only Shocker."
"I know, honey. And now, I made it sure that you didn't waste too much time...and we didn't be late to your Aunt May's house for Sunday dinner."
Spider-Man just smiles.
"You didn't forget about that, did you?"
"Oh, of course not...but I could have had Shocker wrapped up to get there with plenty of time."
"Yeah, but now you have no doubt. You know how things happen. With your luck."
Peter opens his mouth to protest, but Daisy just grins at him. Peter knows she's right and knows that it's useless to argue with her in a situation like this. They move off to leave the proper authorities to deal with Shocker.
X-X-X
One thing never changes, and that's Aunt May being a steady presence in Peter's life. He makes his way, with Daisy, to the front door of the house and knocks it open.
"Peter! I'm glad you can make it."
"Would I be late for a dinner with my favorite Aunt?"
May just smiles and turns to her.
"Daisy, how are you doing?"
"Fine, thanks for asking. Works been a bit hectic. But, whatever you're cooking, it smells great. And I know for a fact that it tastes any better."
"With how many hours you work, you could stand to have a home cooked meal from time to time."
A smile passes over Daisy's face. She's not about to argue that point. It has been a long and stressful last couple of weeks and she's just glad for some downtime.
"You're right."
Peter moves over to help May set up the table, until she shoos him away.
"You're a guest."
"I know, but I don't feel right…."
"I know...but you should sit down...after all you've done, I would feel bad if you helped me with the meal as well."
"Speaking of which, how are the renovations going along?"
Aunt May responds with a sigh.
"Long overdue, I'm afraid. But, you didn't have to foot the bill. I mean, you have your own things to worry about...a company….and I could not have been more proud of you and Ben would have been the same way. It's just you really didn't need to…."
"I know I didn't need to."
A smile passes over Peter's face.
"But after all you and Uncle Ben have done, it's the least that I can do. And if wasn't for you two, how would I have grown up to be the man I have?"
May concedes it's hard to argue with that particular point. Daisy cannot help and bring in another point.
"I for one appreciate the work you two have done. Peter's great and I could not have been happier with him."
It took May some time to warm up to Daisy. Given the rather unconventional circumstances of their marriage, Daisy cannot really spend too much time arguing.
Fortunately, they get along great and it puts Daisy's heart at ease. She settles down for a nice good meal. A knock on the door alerts her to the fact that someone is on the phone.
May moves over to answer the door and two familiar faces appear on the outside of the door. One is an attractive redhead with an amazing body. She rocks the tight leather pants and the black tank top which stretches over her chest. A pair of designer sunglasses covers her eyes.
The one and only Mary Jane Watson saunters with a smile and she's not alone. A platinum blonde with a stunning body built with sin, wearing a white top and a skirt which shows off her fabulous legs steps into the room. Felicia Hardy smiles and looks like she eyes up something in the dinner table.
"Mary Jane, Felicia, what a pleasant surprise!"
"You don't mind if we stop by, do you?"
"No, not at all."
May moves back to allow the women to step into. Peter walks over and greets them with warm hugs. Felicia lingers for a little bit and gives Peter's ass a squeeze.
"Well, you've been working out? Guess Daisy's keeping him in good shape, isn't she, MJ? With all of the cardio the two do together."
Mary-Jane just smiles and looks at Peter. The past between these two, both spoken and unspoken, allows them to share a moment.
"So, how was Europe?"
"Great!"
Felicia answers with a smile.
"Yeah, it was really good. Of course right now, we really need a vacation."
Both Mary-Jane and Felicia laugh about this. A second passes as Mary-Jane catches Daisy's eye. The SHIELD Director moves over to greet the redhead.
"You look pretty good."
"Yeah, and I've got you that...necklace, you've been having your eye on for a while."
"Right, thank you very much for the necklace."
Mary-Jane passes a box to Daisy who smiles. She gives Peter a very obvious "I'll explain it to you later" before settling down on the table.
"We had a pretty eventful trip all things considered."
"I'm sure we'll hear all about it."
Mary-Jane smiles and leans closer to Peter.
"And I'm sure we'll hear about all of the excitement you've been up to."
The four of them will have to get together sometime. Still, Dinner at the Parker Residence is nothing that they can turn down.
A relaxing and peaceful evening with friends and family is next for Peter, at least until the next meeting. Given by the looks both Felicia and Mary-Jane give him and Daisy, there's a lot of catching up to do.
To Be Continued on 8/19/2018.
Thanks for the favorites, follows, comments, kudos, and reviews and I'll see you for the next chapter.