Chapter 37:
"I see her," Peter whispered into the com-link from his roof-top perch. On the short jet ride over, they had determined it best to avoid telepathic communication, as their target might intercept it. Instead, Xavier was masking their presence from her. They had also decided to forgo costumes, so the could blend into a crowd if necessary, "She just passed the coffee shop."
"I see her," Captain America replied from across the street. "Spider-man, approach from the left. I'll go from the right. Wolverine, bring up the rear. We'll corner her when she passes the pizza shop." Peter slipped down off the roof and into a dark alley. He waited casually for the woman to pass. He immediately took note of all her white clothing. Easily in her forties, but with plenty of plastic surgery.
He stayed to her right, hoping Xavier's mental block would hold up. With a slight nod, Captain America indicated he was ready, and so was Logan. As she neared the Pizza shop, Peter cut her off.
"Sorry," he said, purposely running into her and knocking the briefcase out of her hand. He bent down and picked it up, keeping it out of her reach.
"That's mine," she uttered.
"Actually, I think it's mine," Peter replied as Captain America and Logan grabbed her by the shoulders and lead her to the concealed S.H.I.E.L.D prisoner truck. Inside, was a mini interrogation room.
"Unhand me!" Frost said, struggling needlessly against her restraints. "Who do you think.." At that moment, a video monitor turned on remotely.
"Hello, Ms Frost," said Xavier's image.
"Charles," Frost replied, "what a pleasure."
"Spare me the pleasantries," said Xavier. "What do you want with the gem?"
"What Gem?" Frost replied with a smirk as Peter opened the briefcase.
"This one," Peter replied, holding it up for all to see. "The one you stole from me."
"Well," said Frost, "I.." she narrowed her eyes in concentration. Minutes ticked by, and sweat began to build up on her brow. At the same time, Peter began to feel another presence attempt to enter his mind, with futility.
You might as well stop trying, he projected psychically to her. Frost slumped back in defeat. Apparently, she was not equipped to deal with the level of psychic shielding the professor provided, along with his own defences, which he surmised had been reinforced by both the Mind Gem and Phoenix force.
"I did not expect such trouble from you..." Frost smirked, "even with the...most unusual mental defences you have."
"I'm just chalk full of surprises," Peter replied, slipping the Gem into his pocket. "Now, what where you going to do with it?"
"Add it to my collection," She replied.
"Don't play games," said Captain America sternly, placing his hands on the table.
"My my," said Frost with contempt, "so concerned with little old me, when there are much bigger fish to fry..."
"Explain," Logan snorted.
"All this secrecy...hidden bases...lies...my master will reveal all," said Frost with a big smile as she turned to Peter. "A contact of mine was so interested to learn it all...I think you know Mr Jameson don't you...Peter?" A wave of realization hit him as he turned to Captain America, who held the remote..
"Switch to channel 34!" Peter barked. Captain America complied.
"...A TRUE PATRIOT. NOT UNLIKE SPIDER-MAN, WHO AS WE ALL KNOW, ALLIED HIMSELF WITH TERRORISTS. NOW THANKS TO AN ANONYMOUS INFORMANT..." Jameson ranted from his desk.
"Cap! Call the Mansion, tell them to cut off all televised feed, NOW!" Peter shouted.
"Carol!" Captain America snapped into the phone, "cut off all televised feed..." He was drowned out by Jameson's voice.
"...FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE DAILY BUGLE, OF ALL PLACES. SPIDER-MAN'S SECRET IDENTITY IS...PETER PARKER."
"Carol!" Captain America shouted into the phone, "did you.."
"Too late," Ms Marvel replied, "She saw it all." Peter made a beeline for the door before she even finished. Within seconds he was swinging through the air, making record time to the Daily Bugle.
Don't do anything stupid... he said as he swung from building to building. He rounded a corner, and was greeted by a sight he had hoped to avoid.
A portion of the Bugle's wall had been ripped off, leaving the executive offices facing the open air. Papers billowed in the wind, and people screamed in terror below. In the midst of this madness floated Kitty, her hair flowing freely in the air, and her eyes glowing with fire.
"JAMESON!" she screamed and pointed at the one man who was left standing in his office. With a hand gesture, Jameson was lifted into the air and out of his office.
Don't! Peter pleaded as he landed on the side of the building.
"Why?" Came Kitty's response.
Don't kill him. No matter what he's done, he doesn't deserve to die.
"After all he's done to you!"
"AH-HA!" Jameson screamed, "I knew you were trouble Parker, But I never thought you'd."
"Jameson," Peter fumed over the wind. "For once in your life, keep your fucking mouth shut." You're better than this, Kitty, Don't do it.
"Katherine Parker no longer exists! Speak to the Phoenix!"A concussive blast hit him and Jameson, sending them both backwards. Peter managed to catch his former boss before he fell to his death. Above the wind, Peter began to hear another sound. The sound of approaching thunder.
"HAVE AT THEE!"
"THOR, NO!" Peter screamed as the God of thunder sent a hail of lightning towards the Phoenix. A blast so powerful, it could destroy anything in it's path, But Phoenix turned it aside like a leaf in the wind, and threw it back to it's source.
"Turn and face me, villain,"Thor spoke above the thunder. "Or face the might of Mjolnir!"
"You think your powers mean anything to me?" The Phoenix said menacingly.
"You wish to test your strength against the might of Asgard?" Thor said mightily as he readied his hammer. "FOR ODIN!" He bellowed as he shot his hammer forth, empowering the throw with lightning. At the same moment, Phoenix blasted out a stream of fire. The streams of energy collided with a thunderous explosion, which reduced the top half of the Daily Bugle to dust.
As the smoke settled, he saw bitter realization had crossed Kitty's face. She lowered herself to the ground sombrely. He tried to make his way to her, to try and comfort her in any way he could, but he was sent flying back, like she didn't want him close as she fell to the ground and cried. He closed his eyes at his realization of the whole situation and ambled away.
His foot caught something and he tripped. He opened his eyes to get a better look. At first he thought it was a piece of concrete, but then gold lettering caught his eye.
"Whosoever holds this Hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the powers of Thor."
Peter looked around for the mighty god of Thunder, but he was nowhere to be seen. Peter could hear the heavy metallic footsteps of Iron Man approach him from behind, and he felt the weight of the metal arm on his shoulder.
"He's gone." Was all Peter managed to choke out.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx End of Part 2 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx
A/N: Thor's gone...Madame Web and Odin are dead...And the Dark Phoenix is on the rise...What's next for our heroes?