Answers to reviewers' questions or statements:
my 3 eggs: I'll see what I can do for a Fantastic Four story with Peter and Sue
charger2040: I am aware that the girl is named April and it was intentional…you'll see why soon enough. Also, Diana by that time will be aware of Peter's condition and she may hit Superman far harder than in the comics… you don't give the woman's husband cancer and force him into a very reluctant partnership with Venom which will leave Peter quite changed by then and not expect an ass kicking
shadowman64100: No, I'm afraid X-23 will net be appearing…least not in this one. In Injustice 2 on the other hand…we'll see
Yo: I actually got a rather unique story between these two cooking that I plan to have up by December and I think it's the most original idea for these two ever…hopefully it will be still by than
Disclaimer: I don't own any Marvel or DC character seen, mentioned or used in this story
Year two…
Peter watched as Bruce and Barbara stared at him for several long minutes before Bruce finally spoke. He was less than pleased
"That's out of the question" the man said with a glare
Peter gave the dark knight a look of confusion "Uh why?"
"Several of your former teammates are killers" Bruce said with a pointed look on his face
"Oh come on Bruce-" Peter started only to be interrupted by Bruce
"Peter, people like Garrick and Wild Cat I can handle but I will not let someone like Grifter or even Deathstroke in on this" Bruce said before turning to Barbara "Get the Birds ready and have Jim get a few men to help us-"
"No" Peter said in a stern tone that caused Bruce to look at him with a raised brow while Barbara slowly wheeled back while watching the two men "Look Bruce I get it, you don't want to lower us to the same levels that Superman has no problem playing on but The Ultimates, no offence Babs, are the only ones that can get this job done"
"How so?" Bruce gave the man a expectant look "Convince me how they can accomplish what Barbara's team can't"
"For one, none of them are pregnant like Dinah is" Peter said as he crossed his arms "Second aside from Grifter, no one else on the team is really into the whole killing their enemies since I can't seem to find Deathstroke. Thirdly, this team is use to these sorts of black ops missions. The Birds aren't"
Barbara frowned at that statement "Hey my team ha-"
"Babs" Peter looked to her with a narrowed gaze "This is a war against paramilitary forces. Not a bunch of street thugs and maybe the occasional trained mercenary. Once more, if this mission goes south than the Insurgency won't lose any valuable assets from it"
"Except you" Bruce pointed out "Because I know for a fact you're going with them"
"Well yeah that's part of the reason…" Peter said with a shrug
Bruce watched Peter for a long moment before he sighed "Peter I'll let you do this, but if things do go wrong…The Insurgency won't help you. Not only because some of those members of yours are borderline career criminals but also because we need to train and prepare our forces for the galactic war that's going to break out when Guy gets back with his men"
"We also need to start going over all possible strategies on how to deal with Sinestro's men. I doubt Superman will be able to really keep them in line" Barbara said as she began pulling up all available information she has on the yellow lantern corps
"Fine" Peter said as he rubbed his eyes in exhaustion, it's been a long day to be honest
"Peter…" Bruce suddenly spoke up and caught the web slinger's attention "We need to talk…"
"About?" Peter said with a raised brow
"About your condition" the voice of Claire Temple echoed through the room before she appeared in the door way with her medical bag followed by Alfred who was carrying a few more
"So much for doctor patient confidentiality" Peter said in a dry tone
"All I said was that you have a health issue that should be addressed" Clair said as she began taking things out of her bag
"Peter what sort of condition is it?" Bruce asked with a curious gaze
Peter looked at the man for a moment before he lifted his shirt to reveal a less than attractive scar on his chest "Yeah turns out getting blasted by Captain Atom because of Superman isn't the best thing for one's health"
"Radiation poisoning" Bruce said with wide eyes starting to see what was affecting Peter "And if I'm right than that means-"
"Cancer" Peter said as he let his shirt down with a sad smile "Not the good kind, actually I don't think there is a good kind but you know what I mean. The kind you can actually treat and survive from if you're lucky which I'm apparently not this time around. And Based on mine and Clair's estimates I have maybe two years before my healing factor gives out and well…"
"Is this why you've been wearing Venom more often?" Bruce asked with some concern
"Yeah" Peter nodded before continuing "While I'm wearing him, he halts the progression of my cancer and well and keeps it from getting worse when I use one of the pills"
"At the risk of you losing yourself even further to that thing" Bruce said with a frown
"Don't worry, I'm only wearing him for missions I'll actually need it. Sides me and Clair are considering possible alternatives that can help me" Peter said
"Well there's always the Laz" Barbara began only to be interrupted by Bruce and Peter
"No!" both men said with a shake of their heads
"That actually might make me worse" Peter said a bit concerned
"he's right, while the Lazarus pit can heal Peter's cancer, he'll risk going insane like Ra's has" Bruce said with a sigh as he rubbed his temples
"That and in my current condition, I really don't want to risk that" Peter said as he rubbed his wrists absently "Least not now…"
"Okay than what about the purple ray?" the red head said with a raised brow "I'm sure that Queen Hippolyta won't mind helping out the husband of her daughter"
"Maybe but she and I have never met and even than I don't know how to get to Themyscira which has likely joined Superman's side because of Diana" Peter said with a frown as he cupped his chin
"Can't you maybe sneak in than?" Clair asked with a raised brow
"Could…if I knew how" Peter said with a sigh "Sadly I don't know the island's layout and the only one that does that I know is Cassi and I don't know where the hell she is!"
Barbara frowned as she looked towards Bruce "What did happen to the Titans Bruce? I haven't been able to locate Tim yet and so far, our inside source hasn't mentioned them being captured"
Suddenly Doctor Fate appeared from the doorway "That is because they are no longer in this realm. Surrounded by phantoms and shades"
"…The hell does that mean?" Clair asked with a frown
"The Phantom zone…Superman has a device in his fortress that can send people there if he feels their too dangerous" Bruce said with a disturbed look on his face
"How do you know this?" Barbara asked the powerful sorcerer
Doctor Fate angled his helmet toward the woman "The god of war Ares came to me with this information…I've checked to confirm he's telling the truth"
"Your telling me that the Titans are in a place that some of the worst being in the universe are imprisoned?!" Peter said in shock "Superman put Cassie in there?"
"My god Clark…what've you become" Bruce said quietly to himself before he leaned back in his bead "If they are in the Phantom zone we won't be able to get to them. Superman has increased the security of his fortress and now has his robotic guards securing it"
"So what we just leave them in there?!" Peter said angrily
"No…but we won't be able to get into it until Superman is taken down or at the very least until the Green Lanterns get back and a few can help us break in and retrieve them" Bruce said
"…If I'm still alive by than…I want to lead that mission" Peter said with a straight face "I'm not leaving my pseudo younger sister or her friends in that hell hole"
"Agreed" Bruce nodded before he looked towards Barbara "Begin compiling all the information we have on Superman's forces guarding his fortress"
"I'll get right on it after we get back to the base" Barbara said as she began typing into her computer before she looked towards Peter with a stern glare "But I want in on this searching for a way to help you thing too Peter. You won't be able to both manage the Insurgency, go on missions and search for a cure for your cancer on your own"
"But Clair c-" Peter began only for said nurse to interrupt him
"Actually I'll be busy helping Mr. Wayne here with his recovery. I used to be a physical therapist at the hospital before I became a nurse" Clair said as she continued to set up her things with the aid of Alfred
Peter than looked towards Barbara and sighed "Fine you can help…but be honest, are you also doing this to maybe help your father too?"
"What gave it away?" Barbara asked dryly
Peter responded by sticking his tongue out at her which she responded with flipping him the bird.
…
It was several days later that Peter along with Felicia Hardy dressed in civvies were sitting in a bar located in downtown Miami Florida waiting for their fellow Ultimates members to show up…least the ones that were still alive and could be found
Martian Manhunter couldn't for obvious reasons and Black Siren had politely declined given that she suffered a rather serious stroke two months ago
"So why are we really going to this island?" Felica asked as she took a sip of her beer "I know it isn't just because of the potential Kryptonite"
Peter looked around the bar for a moment before he leaned in and told her why he was going to this island "The green armored guy that worked with Otto and Joker…my contacts confirmed that he'll be there"
Felicia's eyes widened at that "If that's true then why haven't you told Bruce about this?"
Peter's lack of a response didn't sit too well with Felica who was beginning to grow concerned with Peter's behavior over the past few days. He's become more withdrawn and reclusive. He was also starting to get more aggressive in his training of the new recruits, hitting them a little harder than what was necessary
It was clear to her… Venom was beginning to take its hold on Peter and at this rate, there might not be a Peter left in a few months…
'I'll have to keep an eye on him, because between Superman and a Venom influenced Peter who's starting to show signs of having another 'episode'…I'd rather take the damn alien' Felica thought as she turned towards the door and saw Cole Cash aka Grifter without his iconic mask approaching the two being followed by Jay Garrick aka the first Flash who looked to be in good physical shape considering he was nearing his late fifties and Ted Grant aka Wildcat who was around the same age but had a body that rivaled Bruce's
"So what's this I hear about a potential suicide mission?" Cole asked with a smirk as he sat across from Peter and Felica along with Jay while Ted stayed standing and gave the two younger members a watchful gaze
"Basically we head to an mysterious island in the middle of the ocean, find some Kryptonite, fight some bad guys and somehow make it off the island in one piece" Peter said as he leaned forward and stared at his old teammates "You guys in?"
"Fuck it" Cole said with a shrug before taking Peter's untouched beer and started to chug it
"I'm in, mainly too keep an eye on you all" Ted said with a smirk
Peter nodded before looking towards the final member "Jay?"
The older man had a thoughtful look on his face for a long time before he nodded with a small smile "I think I have enough in me for one last run"
Peter stared at the older man for a moment before nodding and leaning back in his seat "Alright than so here's the plan…"
And done.
So next chapter the team with a surplice addition head off to the island were things quickly begin to spiral out of control as an unforeseen adversary joins the fray between the Ultimates and Doc Ock's men!