Hello dearest amazing readers,
I wanted to give you a status update and a second SNEAK PEAK of the sequel novel, Avenge the Departed II. You guys have been so lovely and patient, and I hoped to show you I haven't forgotten about you or this story. I've been working on it. As you know this first one was a massive beast to write and took me a LONG time. This one, I think, may take even longer, as it is a looser adaptation of a spy thriller and I'm writing a lot more "original" material to supplement scenes that just don't belong in the Marvel universe. Basically it's even more than my usual "transcription" of a previous movie or show and rewritten into the Marvel universe. But enough about process, let's talk numbers! How many chapters written so far: EIGHT! How many POV changes (sections) per chapter? 2-4. So TECHNICALLY, 23 short chapters are written so far. Who is the first POV? Kingpin. Who is the last POV I wrote at the end of chapter eight? Tony Stark. What's my favorite character to write dialogue for? Still Deadpool haha. Who is a NEW character for this series who gets a POV in the sequel who didn't appear in the first book? Karen Page, from Daredevil! How many chapters can I expect for this book? I'm thinking anywhere from twenty-five to fifty. Lots of fun stuff going on.
How likely am I to write a third book?
Super, super high.
Enjoy the sneak peak, and know that I love you all.
Sincerely, Pip
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Pom Pom - Peter Parker
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The sun has already risen with icy gold light as we drive across town in tense silence, except for the moments where Mr. Stark spontaneously reviews the plan, again.
"Wait for a name," he reminds us both, "Something more we can use. Mason's word against theirs just isn't enough for the U.N.'s blessing to keep pushing this issue forward, otherwise there's nothing more we can do except call in a tip to the NYPD like anyone else."
"Bull shiiiit," sings Deadpool to himself. "Sort of hoping for a house of M sort of reboot thing with no Sokovia accords. Anyone up for renegotiating their contract?"
"I just signed the accords," I remind Deadpool.
"Don't worry, little buddy," Deadpool reaches up and pats my shoulder. "No ones contract is more high-risk than yours."
"Huh?"
Wanda's voice appears in the radio again. "We're getting off the bus. Viz?"
"Right behind you, my dear," Vision replies.
Mr. Stark snorts with a sort of pleasant surprise. "We're at the pet-name stage, are we?"
"Shut uuup," whispers Wanda, sounding very much like a sibling caught stealing cookies from the jar.
"My apologies, that was unprofessional of me," Vision says.
"Not you," Wanda replies, a laugh under her tone. "The boss."
"No, we don't mind, Vision," I say quickly, glaring at Mr. Stark. His lips are pursed with an amused smile.
Deadpool makes an OK sign with one hand and then thrusts his pointer finger through repeatedly.
"Stop that," I hiss.
"Did you and Dr. Bruce build Vision with anatomically correct parts?" Deadpool stage-whispers. "Doesn't anyone else wonder - IF… like is it, morally acceptable or not? What is the Avengers official stance on robot sex, exactly?"
"I can hear you," Wanda reminds him. "I would appreciate you do not speak on the topic of what is morally acceptable, as you can offer no perspective that would interest me or have any value. Mason is going into the building - Vision?"
"I'll phase through the wall around the back, get a better look."
Mr. Stark pulls the car to the curb about three blocks away. "I'm going up in the suit for thermal visuals," he reminds us, "You two. Get close, but stay low. Do not go in. Let's use audio, visual first. This doesn't need to end in a fight."
I nod.
"Say you understand," Mr. Stark says firmly, zeroing in on me.
"I understand?" I repeat, wondering why he seems ultra focused on making sure that I know how to follow instructions. Like I'm not the one just dressed as a civilian expected to wait down the street for something bad to happen to everyone…
"Good," Mr. Stark exits the vehicle, glares at Deadpool. "You watch his back, you got it?"
"I've got him firmly in hand," Deadpool replies. Mr. Stark nods at us both, unfolds his wrist brace again, darts between two mortar-brick apartment buildings.
I grimace, opening my door. "Come on."
Within seconds, the streamlined echo of a jet engine rattles the heavy clouds somewhere above, and an unnatural hot breeze kicks out of the alley with a puff of dust that smells like car oil and clean chrome. I can hear the nearly-indistinguishable sound of Iron Man lifting high out of the alley, swooping around the long way and beginning to hover over the location from the otherside where he can watch without being seen himself. Someone would definitely see him, though, luckily they'd likely probably just stream it to Facebook or Instagram. They don't exactly broadcast his appearances to criminal networks. Though if they were smart, they'd be watching that hashtag constantly to pinpoint where we are. I know I would, if I were still supposed to be a criminal…
The thought makes me shiver.
I lift my hood up, shutting the door, and wait for Deadpool. He struggles with a sword pommel catching in the car ceiling because he didn't duck low enough to exit. He finally slides out as if made of putty.
"You look… really obvious," I say, "It's broad daylight."
The air is brisk and clear-bright, a smell like pre-Thanksgiving Macy parade on the air with a hint of apple cider and wet pavement.
"What? You think this is only for night time? That's a totally different suit. A lot more lace involved." Deadpool shuts his door. "We cut through these alleys here - they connect at the back. That'll keep prying street eyes off - happy?"
"Good enough for now, I guess," I shrug, following him beneath the shadows of the buildings. My phone vibrates, and I see Ned's icon. I quickly answer.
"I can't really talk right now," I whisper.
"Dude," Ned whispers in a panic, "I don't know how to tell you this, but I got the email with instructions for part two of my… internship."
I remember being paranoid about the CIA listening on my calls with Captain America when I was undercover. I wonder if Ned's being paranoid enough.
"Ned, what if they're listening in?" I whisper. Deadpool's head jerks back and looks at me over his shoulder. I wave at him annoyingly as if to try and say it's nothing.
Wait - does he have super-hearing like me? I've never asked. If he does, he can hear all of this.
"I don't think it matters," Ned hisses. "Because I'm not going to do it."
Deadpool and I hang another right-hand turn, deeper into the block interior. I can smell urine and trash in the alley, small dead patches of grass growing up between slabs and huge, metal-blue dumpsters lining the chain-link fences. The pleasant smell from earlier quickly erased. We pick up speed and turn down the service road.
"Ned, are you okay?"
"For - for now. I'm in hiding, remember? But like - I don't know how much good it'll do..."
"Ned," I whisper. "What is going on?"
"What's wrong?" Mr. Stark asks on the comm.
"Something is wrong with gordito," Deadpool replies. He jerks his chin towards me. "Are you going to let us in on your little drama now? Or maybe we can all have a sleepover and talk about it over Shirley Temples after the mission."
"This is serious," I reply slowly, feeling a dreadful premonition throbbing in my belly. That same kind of high-octane pulse you feel right before you faint on a roller coaster that goes just a little too spinny.
"I know it's serious," Ned moans.
"I'm on the comms with Mr. Stark right now, Ned. We're right in the middle of a mission."
"Peter, what the hell is going on down there?" Mr. Stark asks.
I turn off my comm. "Tell me about part two, Ned."
"You're offline with bug boy," Deadpool informs Mr. Stark. I can almost hear Mr. Stark screaming at me for breaking protocol from Deadpool's ear.
"So, part two, it's like, having a fake meeting with some big wig, presenting my findings, and make an argument for use of said findings, and they said the topic of my argument was supposed to be how to lure a wanted criminal with the material I had. It's obvious, isn't it?"
"I don't get it, Ned…"
"They're trying to use Karen's distressed yelling to lure Frank Castle somewhere."
"Okay, so, I get why they want the Punisher, but why are they bothering you?"
"Don't you think I'm freaking out about that already? I'm totally freaking out, bro!"
"Ned, this is too much. We gotta get you out of this."
"I know, that's why I called."
"Okay - okay. Stay hidden. Don't move till we finish our thing, it could get messy, and we're literally - a block away. So please, stay low. I'll come get you right after."
"Aye aye, Spider-Man," Ned replies, sounding relieved. "See you in a few."
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**END OF THE SNEAK PEAK 2 OF THE SEQUEL!**
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I will post more progress again in the future to continually reward your patience with me :)
