The Flash Armageddon Part 8
S.W.O.R.D HQ
Captain Marvel along with Kate Bishop, Yelena Belova and Spider-Man return via a sling ring portal made by Doctor Strange.
"Change of plans kids. We're bunking up here for the rest of the mission." said Fury
"Director Fury, We were able to get Intel on Despero's warning on Barry." said Carol.
"What do you got Captain?" he asked
"Tomorrow is supposedly gonna be the worst day of Barry's life that will cause psychological grief and suffering beyond his imagination. Enough to make him mentally break. Despero believes this is the catalyst for him turning bad." Explained Carol.
"The beginning of the end" added Yelena.
"Parker suggested we keep tabs on Allen all day tomorrow. He's willing to be deployed the moment things pop off." said Carol.
"Consider it done. Parker I want you to apprehend Mr. Allen as soon as the light is green." said Fury.
"Sir? How do you expect your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man to catch The Fastest Man alive?" Asked Natasha.
"Oh I believe this is where I come in. You see I've been working with Doctor Strange in designing specialized web shooters with his magic runes to send him right here and to create portals to help even the odds. Although I'd argue that it won't be necessary because Barry won't turn evil on us." said Ray Palmer.
"Whether you believe in him or not is not up to you. We need to be prepared for the worst case scenario. You now have your orders Parker. I expect you and your team to get it done. Am I clear?" Asked Fury.
"Yes sir" Peter salutes.
"Good. You're all dismissed for the night. Even bad guys need some sleep. You have a busy day ahead of you." said Fury taking his leave.
As everyone takes their leave Peter walks up to Doctor Strange for a talk.
"Hey Doc? You don't think what Despero is saying is true. Right?"
"Look kid. I saw what he showed me in his head. He told me everything and if what Carol said is to be true, a lot more and exactly how it'll go down." said Strange.
"But you gotta think something is up about it. You've seen into the future before. And you never told us how it was gonna end." said Peter.
"Thing is Parker, you have a point. There was a reason I never told anyone how certain events would unfold. It was to preserve that outcome without alterations. But Despero telling his side of the story like it was set in stone makes me wonder if he understands how the flow of space and time works." said Strange.
"Look I don't want to arrest Barry. I know he wouldn't do those things without some rhyme or reason. There has to be another way." said Peter.
Doctor Strange then looks down at the eye of agamotto as he holds it in the palm of his hand.
"Alright Parker. I'll look into it tonight. But remember this. Whatever I see. I can't speak a word of it. I can only orchestrate the events as they happen. From that moment on, every action. Every decision made. Will be on a set path whether you realize it or not." Explained Strange.
"Thanks Doc." said Peter.
"Goodnight Parker." Strange replied as he goes to his quarters.
Peter takes off his mask as he exhales a sigh of relief. Albeit momentarily.
He goes to the window and sees the grand view of Earth.
Natasha walks up behind him as he's taking in the view.
"You okay kid?" she asked putting her arm around him.
"Yeah. Yeah I'm fine." he answered.
"How are you liking leading your own Avengers team?" she asked.
"Is it always this...high stakes?" he asked.
"Most days. If not every single time you step out onto the field." Explained Natasha.
"What about when it comes to protecting someone from an enemy more powerful than all of us?" Asked Peter.
"Kinda reminds me of when we did that with Vision when Thanos came to earth. Even though we failed." Explained Natasha.
"Well that's comforting" said Peter.
"This line of work never is kid. We juag do out best to defend the people we love to keep the world safe. Whether alone or together." Natasha explains.
"Did Steve ever have these problems?" Asked Peter.
"All the time. It's always on his mind whenever we would do missions. What made him a good leader is his ability to adapt whenever things go sideways. Trust in his team. Fighting along side each other. When the going gets tough, he never quits. Even if it costs him his life." Explained Natasha.
"Is that what you saw in him when you fell in love?" Peter smiled.
"He believed in a world one way where I did another. Yin/Yang sort of thing. It worked for us to help keep our views on the world grounded and clear. Honestly if he wasn't watching the kids right now I'd say he'd be proud of you for stepping up. I'm sure he'd give you better advice than I ever could." Natasha said.
"Well you're here now and I think that's good enough for me" said Peter.
Natasha smiled and ruffles his hair a bit.
"Alright. Get some shut eye kid. You got a long work day ahead of you" said Natasha as she walks off.
"Goodnight!" he said.
Natasha simply waves as she heads for bed.
Central City, Caitlin's apartment.
*Knock knock*
Caitlin in her pajamas goes to answer the door and sees Bruce Banner with a duffle bag in hand.
"Is that offer still on the table?" He asked.
Caitlin smiled as she welcomed him in.
Barry and Iris' apartment.
The two return home after a long day as they simply hugged each other in comfort as Barry feels the warning of Despero weigh heavily on his shoulders.
"No matter what happens. We'll get through this and we'll get through this together" said Iris.