answers to reviewers questions and statements

kspidey2: I think Superman was able to convince the others that he was the victim and was simply defending himself in some cases while others...well they think that Superman's in the right so they likely try to justify his actions and as for the Flash supporting him, actually out of all of Superman's allies he was the most conflicted throughout the whole comic, calling into Superman's actions and questioning his own decisions

Guest of Nov 5: I thought of making Peter a red Lantern at some point but I realized that doing so while would look awesome would actually end up killing him. Red Lanterns in the comics unlike the Green Lantern animated series released a few years back, when they become a red lantern they become mindless raging monsters and if they try to take the ring off it kills them because the red ring replaces and destroys their heart

And so, begins perhaps the longest year of this story, Year Two which will be split in half in terms of storytelling. The first half will deal with Peter leading a mission with the Ultimates to recover something vital that will be needed for the second act of this arc and the second half will deal with the Green Lantern Corps coming to earth to more or less arrest Superman who will have the backing of a surprising ally

Disclaimer: I don't own any Marvel or DC characters seen, mentioned or used in this story

Year Two…

Betty Brant has seen a lot of things in her time as a secretary for the Daily Bugle and even more since becoming a reporter years ago. From corrupt politicians, dirty cops and super villains galore. So Betty was less than surprised to see Superman floating above her while she was on her balcony enjoying the early evening

Betty gave the man of steel a once over before going back to watching her city "You need something or are you now into peeping on women? Word of advice, your supposed to be hidden to be affective though given your power set that shouldn't be too hard"

"I have it on good authority that you and Spider-man are close" Superman said in a blank tone

Betty shrugged "We are, known each other for a few years now…"

"Where is he miss Brant?" Superman said while folding his arms across his chest

"Who?" Betty asked with a smirk growing on her face

"Where is he?" Superman's tone had darkened slightly but Betty's faced worse. Carnage and Green Goblin were still tied for first place on her list of most horrifying encounters

That caused Betty to turn to him with annoyance "No idea… but considering he's a spider, maybe six feet from me or the guy in Utah? Many people at some points in their lives are almost always within six feet of spiders. I learned that from Spidey… and National Geographic"

"If your lying-" Superman began with an annoyed tone

"You'll what? Beat me to death like the Green Arrow?" Betty said in a hard tone as she glared at Superman who was taken back at the fact she knew "Yeah, word tends to travel fast, also I was at the funeral"

Superman watched her for a long time before he spoke with a narrowed gaze "If you learn of Spider-man's whereabouts I expect you not to aid a fugitive and report his location to the authorities"

"Yeah well I also wouldn't expect you to become an asshole a few years ago but well…" Betty gestured to him "…We all tend to defy people's expectations for better or worse"

Superman gave her a hard look before turning to fly away but not before Betty got one more barb in the man of steels thick skin

"I can tell you one thing Superman…about Spider-man" Betty had to resist the urge to smile as he looked over his shoulder at her "…And it's that the ass kicking you got from Peter in the Batcave…won't even compare to the next one he has for you…"

Superman responded by shooting off into the night like a rocket leaving a chuckling Betty Brant "Peter was right…you are easy to rattle…"

…

Peter was sitting by Bruce's side when he saw the man begin to wake. He looked towards Alfred who was busy reading a book "Alf, he's awake"

The butler quickly closed the book and made his way to Bruce's side who was starting to call out for the man "Alfred…"

"I'm here master Bruce" Alfred said as he took the bat themed hero's hand "As is master Peter"

"Yo Bruce" Peter gave the man a salute while leaning back in his chair more "How's it hanging sleeping beauty?"

He's since ditched his torn red and blue suit for a black under armor shirt, brown cargo pants and a pair of red and black shoes.

Bruce made a sound that was a cross between annoyance and pain which caught Alfred's attention

"Do you need any more painkillers sir?"

"No, I need to be more alert" Bruce said with a groan

"Times like that where I think you're a masochist" Peter said with a snort "By the way, the pill works in case you've forgotten"

Bruce made a 'hmm' sound as he looked around the room in slight confusion "This…this isn't one of the bases…where are we?"

"Somewhere even Superman can't reach you" Alfred said as he checked the monitors that Bruce was hooked ip to

"And that's…" Bruce trailed off waiting for an answer

"My ex's" Peter said with a chuckle as he saw said woman walk in with a pout on her face

Bruce saw her as well and his eyes widened at her "Zatanna?"

The mistress of magic gave Bruce a smile "Hello Bruce, it's been a while"

"Yeah since we or more accurately 'I' kicked the crap out of Superman, he's been searching the whole world for us" Peter said as he stretched his arms over his head until an audio pop sound was heard

Zatanna who was watching Peter a bit longer than usual nodded in confirmation "He suspects magical involvement and has Raven searching all the realms-"

"The one's she can enter at least" Peter interrupted

Zatanna continued as if she wasn't interrupted even though her eyes showed a trace of annoyance but no real venom "-But you won't be found here"

"And where is here?" Bruce asked

"You are outside of time and space Bruce" Zatanna said in a dramatic tone that caused Peter to chuckle "You needed a doctor so Peter and Alfred brought you to his house-"

"We're in the tower of fate" Peter interrupted the stage magician again with a smirk "The guy owed me a few favors form some past errands I helped him with"

Bruce nodded at this information as he treid to sit up "I can't stay here, I have to-"

Zatanna was at his side in an instant "Shh…TSER ECURB ENYAW…ESOLC RUOY SEYE DNA PEELS"

Peter watched as Zatanna's spell took affect and Bruce slowly laid back down and slept. Peter had to hold in a chuckle at the self-satisfied smirk Zatanna threw him as she gestured for him to follow her while Alfred went to sit back down and continuing reading his book

Once the two were far enough away Zatanna suddenly turned and smack Peter across the face with enough force that his head shot to the side. Peter grunted at the action as he turned to see Zatanna glaring at him

"Really? You're that petty about me interrupting you?" Peter gave her a look of slight disbelief

"You know damn well that's not it Peter!" Zatanna said harshly "Don't think for a second I don't recognize the signs…you've been using him again haven't you!"

Peter sighed as he knew what Zatanna was talking about "Okay yes I've been taking Venom out but look I had no other choice half the time" Peter tried to defend himself

Zatanna looked less than convinced before she hugged Peter "Peter…I nearly lost you to that thing once…don't have Diana go through that hell like I did…please"

Peter slowly wrapped his arms around her and pulled his childhood friend close and held her as they both stood in the halls of Doctor Fate unaware of the war that was blooming on the horizon

…

It was a few days later that Peter was sitting by Bruce's side playing on his phone while Alfred checked Bruce's vitals. Said man was currently speaking with and thanking Doctor Fate himself for giving them asylum when his cell phone went off

Bruce gave the device a curious look "The tower of fate gets cell phone reception?"

"We are in all places and one" Doctor Fate said in a powerful voice that could stop a lightning bolt in it's tracks

"And yet no Wi-Fi" Peter said dejectedly

The helmeted magical powerhouse turned to leave while Zatanna turned to Bruce's confused look with a grin "I think that's Doctor Fate's way of saying yes it gets cell phone reception"

"You're not answering that master Wayne" Alfred said as he leaned forward on his knees and gave his former ward a stern look

"But-" Bruce tried to reason only to be interrupted

"I know exactly who it is and I don't care" Alfred said tiredly "The call will be diverted"

Bruce looked suspicious at the answer "To where?"

"You know where" Alfred said with a look that caused Bruce to grumble

"Come on Bruce, Barbara can handle it" Peter said to put the man's nerves at ease

Bruce was quite for a moment as he lied there in the bed before Peter saw the gears in his head began to turn and turn to the point he felt almost dizzy watching them. So, he went back to his game

'Bout to beat my high score anyway' Peter thought with a mental sigh

To be honest he wasn't really playing his game, the crapped score more than proved that. He just needed something to keep him occupied since he just found out some rather heart breaking news from Doctor Fate not even an hour ago

His wife was in a coma as a result of Captain Atom going thermonuclear in an attempt to take out Superman…

Peter took this as well as he did when he found out that Manhunter had tried to kill Diana…no he actually took it worse

Thank god that the tower was capable of repairing itself…and the Doctor was wise enough to tell Peter his wife's condition in an area that was made for destroying. Still dint help put Peter at ease

Suddenly he felt someone shaking his shoulders and he looked to see it was Zatanna

Peter gave her a confused look "Uh yeah?"

"Peter…" Zatanna said in a worried tone "I've been trying to get your attention for the last five minutes"

Peter's eyes widened at that as he looked to see both Alfred and Bruce looking at him with worried expressions of their own, at least he thinks that's the one on Bruce's face

"Sorry" Peter gave them a sheepish smile as he put his phone away "What were you guys talking about?"

Bruce took a deep breath before speaking "Peter…what I'm about to ask you is important and frankly I don't know if you can handle it"

"I'll remember this conversation next time we face Superman" Peter said in a deadpanned voice

"That's not what I mean Peter" Bruce said with a shake of his head "I mean I don't know if you will be able to handle this…not on your own at least"

Peter narrowed his eyes in interest and gestured for the dark knight to continue

"Peter…I want you to lead the others while I recover" Bruce looked Peter in the eye with a serious expression

Peter's eyes widened to the point he thought they might actually fall out from shock "Wait what?!"

And done.

Short chapter yes but the next one will be longer, I just wanted to set the ground work of things to come this year and introduce a few characters who will play some large roles later on also yeah Bruce just asked Peter to lead the Insurgency for the foreseeable future!