Chapter 36: Peter's Loss

Stacy growled as he stepped over the debris. A group of armed men was trailing behind him as two of them had flashlight to light up the hallway. One of the men shone the light at a deranged figure who was out of focus, gargling some words.

"Son of a bitch. Iron Man actually defeated Kingpin," Stacy said. "Not so tough now, huh Fisk. Get him out of here."

"Uh sir."

"What?"

"It wasn't just Iron Man," Jackson said, cringing as he pulled some string-like substance from Fisk's mouth. "It was also Spider Man. Jesus, what the hell happened?"

Stacy narrowed his eyes. "Just get him out of here."

Peter sat on the edge of the rooftop with his feet dangling. He narrowed his eyes as he stared at the blaring lights of the city followed by the oncoming police activities with their sirens being heard at the background.

It took a long time to get where he was but he did it.

Iron Man and Peter did it.

With another terrible cost.

Peter tightened his knuckles until they turned white. It wasn't fair. No one needed to die. Aunt May didn't need to die.

"I'm sorry," Peter sobbed quietly.

A hand was placed on his shoulder which made him silence his sobs but he was still sniffing.

"Quite a view, don't you think? With the nice breeze and all…" Tony's familiar voice announced.

The two settled in silence as they were in their own thoughts. While the battle was a victory, it was also a loss.

"I'm sorry," Peter suddenly said, startling Tony with surprise.

"Sorry?" Tony asked, flabbergasted. "What on Earth are you sorry for? Peter, you defeated Kingpin. You stopped a madman from ruining the city. What's to be sorry for?"

Peter shook his head. "You stopped Kingpin. I only made sure that he can't breathe," he clenched his fists. "I should've listened to you. Right when you started to be suspicious about Kraven. I really thought I was being smart for once by going with my own rules; obviously I wasn't. Maybe things would've been different if I had just listened to you. Maybe it would've saved Aunt May."

Tony let out a heavy sigh. "Peter…we shouldn't be focusing on the 'maybe'. We shouldn't be pondering on the past. We should only concentrate on the present and how we can change for the better. We make mistakes. We're humans."

Peter slightly scoffed.

"Well, some are humans," Tony grinned but it faltered. "But we're learning from our mistakes. But by learning from our faults, it can make us a better person. No one is invincible, not even me."

"But you're Iron Man," Peter sniffed.

Tony chuckled dryly. "I had to work to get where I am. It was a no easy task but I bet being Spider Man isn't easy as well," Tony sighed. "Come. We should…go."

"I have nowhere to go," Peter mumbled.

Tony frowned slightly. "Yes you do. Last time I checked, you still have a friend to meet up with. And I bet she's worried."

Eventually, Peter and Tony flew throughout the city and they reached the Police department. Peter landed softly on the ground, in front of the entrance and when he entered the building, he stopped walking and lifted his head to see an anxious Michelle.

Michelle stopped what she was doing and looked up. She let out a sigh of relief, running towards him and gave him a hug though it slightly made Peter be off balance.

"You came," Michelle whispered.

Peter tightened his grip on her as though if he let go, he was afraid to loose Michelle.

"I saw the broadcast," Michelle sniffed, pulling herself away from him. "Pretty clever…"

"That's Tony for you," Peter muttered.

A silence fell before Michelle spoke again.

"Now what? What's going to happen?"

Peter shrugged. "Fisk'll be in jail, heavily guarded. Naturally, he'll be charged with all kinds of charges including the…death of Aunt May. There will be a funeral…and after that, everything will go pretty normal. Well, as normal as it could be…"

"But what about you?"

Peter bit his lip. "I don't know…I honestly don't care, really."

"You could live with me and my dad," Michelle said quietly.

Peter stayed quiet as he didn't know what else to say. What was there to say anyway? His parents are dead and his Uncle and Aunt are gone as well. In a time like this, what was there to say?

After the events that happened, the city pretty much went to normal as much as it could. It was still repairing itself from the events that happened during the reign of Kingpin.

Now that everybody knew what really happened, Tony regained back his control of the company and while he did so, he ensured that his securities were heavily reviewed and were on top notch so that they would be extremely impossible to be hacked.

Due to the explosion, the Stark Enterprises—although it was badly damaged—the building was repairing itself so it could go back to its former elegance.

"Systems online," the computerized voice spoke. Tony, with Happy at his side, proceeded to type on the keyboard.

"Sir, are you sure you haven't gone overboard with the securities?" Happy asked warily.

"In all honesty, Happy, I want to make sure that nothing happens to my company," Tony answered.

"Warning. Security breach. Warning. Security breach…Enhanced mode initiated."

All of a sudden, the system suddenly had missile-like weapons at its side. It then fired which made Happy and Tony duck down to avoid the blast. Eyes wide, Happy stared numbly at the machine until Tony spoke.

"Maybe it's a bit too much?" Tony responded.

"Agreed," Happy replied, eyes wide until he looked down at his clipboard, making notes on the paper. As he did, he stopped. "Sir…what'll happen to Peter? Who'll take care of him? He certainly can't take care of himself. Not in this state. Who knows what'll happen to him."

Tony sighed. He whole-heartedly agrees with Happy. "As far as I know, I've recently made a few phone calls here and there, fought with them and I've got a court session to attend to regarding with being a legal guardian to Peter Parker. If I win, Peter's coming with me. I'm not letting Peter going to other homes."

"So I see," Happy said quietly. "And when is your appointment?"

"November 7."

"Does Peter know?"

Tony sighed. "I have yet to tell him. Speaking about him, how is he?"

"A few broken bones and bruises but he's healing…as for emotionally…not so quite," Happy reported, tightening his grip on the clipboard. "I should've stopped Aunt May. I tried, really but…"

"Happy…don't bring this on you," Tony said as he placed his hands on his shoulders. "What happened cannot be undone. We must try to move forward. We must let the healing process go its own way or otherwise, we'll never be healed."

After the small talk, Tony went to med bay and saw Peter who was wrapping his hand with a fresh bandage. Guilt swept over him and he gritted his teeth. He walked towards Peter and sat on the empty spot beside him. For a while, the two sat in silence though Tony was wondering how he could break it.

Tony knew Peter was breaking apart but he tried not to show it but sometimes, it was okay to let emotions go out. However, Tony decided to tell Peter about making him being a legal guardian.

"Well…I've made some phone calls and a set date has been made. I'm going to the court so I make myself a legal guardian to you."

Peter lifted his head and stared at Tony with wide eyes. "Seriously? When is it going to happen?"

"November 7."

Peter felt his heart rapidly beat against him. If Tony wins—which Peter knows he will—he wouldn't have to go to some stranger's house.

"And if you win, that means—"

"You're mine," Tony flashed him a small smile.

So many emotions flooded through Peter. Happiness and guilt. Sad and regret. Depression and relief.

"What about the house?" Peter suddenly said.

"Technically, it's yours. It always has been. So, that being said, you get to decide what you want to do with it," Tony answered, softly patting Peter on the back. "Oh and there will be a funeral for Aunt May. Three days from now. I guess that will be the time to say a proper goodbye," he whispered.

Despite the fact that it took a long time for Peter to be back to normal, Peter went back to his dorm. He tried to avoid the crowd that roamed the hallways but people were giving him looks—looks that he didn't want. It was bothering him and he didn't even knew these people.

Peter opened the door and the moment he did, Harry instantly stood up from his bed and the two shared a look. Deciding to break the silence, Harry walked towards him.

"Peter," Harry said and pulled him into a hug. The two shared a moment though Peter found it hard to return the hug. He simply stood there, having Harry's arms around him.

"Tony informed me…about what happened," Harry said as he pulled away. "I'm so sorry…" he whispered.

Peter stared at the floor, not saying anything. But Harry continued as he tried to get Peter to talk. Harry has to make Peter to stop feeling sorry for himself; it wasn't his fault.

"It's not your fault," Harry said.

"Then why does it feel like it is?" Peter asked angrily. "I should've done something. But I didn't. I just stood there like an idiot and watched that blasted car hit Aunt May."

"That's not what Michelle told me. She said that you pushed her out of the way before…the…" Harry struggled to say the sentence. "You know…"

"I should've acted quickly."

"Will you stop beating yourself?" Harry asked crossly. "What happened down there is done. If people say it wasn't your fault, it wasn't. It was Fisk who is now behind bars, heavily guarded. He won't be getting out of prison for a long time. The city is saved. So stop with the beating and be proud of yourself instead. Not many people has this kind of courage. So, I want you to look me in the eye and say 'I'm bloody proud'. I mean it, Peter."

Peter tore his gaze away and stared at Harry. It was hard. It really was. He didn't know if he was ever going to be normal again. Taking a breath, Peter replied.

"I'm bloody proud."

Harry softly narrowed his eyes but shrugged it off. He knew Peter didn't said it like he meant it but he let it go. The boy was already in too much pain.

Harry winced when he found himself asking the next question. "When's the funeral?"

"Three days from now," Peter answered and let out another sigh. "I believe I owe you an explanation. I'll tell you everything. From the top to bottom."

And those painful three days came.

Peter couldn't stop having his tears from falling. All he did was staring at the tombstone that was next to Uncle Ben and the words from the Priest was fading away as he zoned out.

Peter flickered his eyes to the Uncle's grave and his voice echoed in Peter's mind.

"With great power comes with great responsibility."

Peter forced himself to not to cry. He didn't want to do it in public as to him, it was a sign of weakness. He needed to pull himself together, to move forward, and to forget about the past but he found himself unable to do so.

It was hard and he realized he needed guidance or otherwise he'll lose himself to darkness.

Nevertheless, Peter also realized that there was going to be a much larger foe and he needed to prepare himself. He needed to be stronger, faster and more agile.

He couldn't risk losing anyone else anymore.

Even though there was going to be a much bigger evil, wherever the new foe is, Peter knew that he was waiting. If that was the case then Peter could wait as well.

And if the enemy was waiting then this was simply the calm before the storm.

Author's Note: And that it is! Its the calm before the storm, everyone so brace yourself! AND WE ONLY HAVE ONE MORE CHAPTER TO GO! THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT! I LOVE YOU TO DEATH-oops too soon? -.-' What happens next? Find out! Toodles!