EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES.
(An hour after "The spider, the widow and the hawk")
Peter Parker woke up with a headache.
It wasn't very painful, but it was painful enough to make him uncomfortable and make him moan.
Little by little, the hero opened his eyes, noticing that there was a lamp lit above him, which was lowering its intensity as he opened his eyes, as if it were programmed to not hurt his eyes.
Once his eyes adjusted to the dim light coming from the lamp, the teenager could see that he was in a room full of computers, screens and other devices. However, the most alarming of all that was that inside the room there were Captain America, Iron Man, the Wasp, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Hulk, Black Panther, Ant-Man and Thor too.
- The readings of his DNA are confusing. - Ant-Man said. - He's not a mutant, he's not even a mutate... At least not a common one.
- Well, he's young. - The Wasp said. - And it's incredible that he outsmarted you and Natasha, Clint.
- Cupid has always been a weakling. - Hulk chuckled.
- Shut up, Jade Jaws. - Hawkeye snapped. - Although I must admit that the boy is good, I would've caught him eventually.
- Probably not, according to the scans, Spider-Man has a physical resistance even greater than that of Captain America. Even on your scooter, he could have run away from you.
Being guided by his instinct, Spider-Man jumped up and stuck to the roof, attracting the attention of all the Avengers, who immediately stood in combat stance to contain the bearer of the Spider Bracelet.
- Calm down, son. - Captain America said while he kept his guard up. - We're not going to hurt you.
- We just want to ask you some questions. - Iron Man said.
- Although if you wish to fight, I shall gladly accept the challenge. - Thor said as he raised his hammer.
- I don't wanna fight. - Said Spider-Man. - I just want to go home.
- You will as soon as we know who you are and what you really are. - Iron Man said sternly. - For some reason, not even Hulk could take off your mask.
- I already told you, Tony, it's because his powers come from a magic source. - Said Black Panther. - To be precise, they come from his bracelet.
At that time, Spider-Man looked at his left wrist and got worried, because Madame Web had warned him that his identity had to stay a secret, and even more the existence of the Miraculouses, which was already difficult with the heroes of France and their enemy, who spoke about the Miraculouses to the four winds without thinking twice.
- What kind of magic is he using, T'Challa? - Thor asked.
- I am not sure, but I have heard and read stories about mystical gems that have existed since even before the Mantle of the Black Panther, which gave various powers of animals to their bearers. - T'Challa said. - If I am not mistaken, they were called Miraculous.
"Fuck..." Spider-Man thought.
- Whatever it is, get down here, kid, or I'll bring you down again. - Said the Black Widow.
- Natasha, shut up. - Said the Wasp before she shrunk and flew towards Spider-Man. - Calm down, nobody will do anything to you, I'll cover your back.
- I can't stay... my aunt must be worried about me. - Spider-Man whispered.
- I already planned an alibi for you, boy. - Said Ant-Man's voice as he flew next to Wasp. - Let's go down and talk like civilized people.
- Or if it makes you feel more comfortable, we could stay here and chat like bugs. - Wasp chuckled.
Spider-Man couldn't help but chuckle, which made the Wasp smile.
- Are you already somewhat calmer? - Janet asked.
- Somewhat. - Said Spider-Man.
- Well, follow me, I won't let anyone hurt you.
With that said, Spider-Man nodded and sighed, then fired a webbing strand and began to descend, staying head-down until he got close to the ground, where he let go of the strand and fell to his feet in front of the Avengers.
A few seconds later, Ant-Man and Wasp returned to normal, both staying by Spider-Man's sides.
- Well, what do you need to know? - Said Spider-Man in a courage fit.
- Who are you? DNA analysis and facial scans don't give any results, and somehow, your mask prevents us from knowing how your face is using x-rays. - Iron Man said.
"It's probably because my DNA mixes with Leopardon's." Thought Peter. "Surely that's why when I transform and take the suit off, I still have my powers. As for the mask, that must be some mystical protection to keep my identity a secret."
- I can't say it. - Said Spider-Man.
- Why not? - Hawkeye asked.
- Clint, he's a child, he must be worried that something bad will happen to his family if someone finds out his identity. - Wasp said.
- I'm not a child... - Spider-Man let out under his breath.
- Then tell us, why did you throw that criminal out of that abandoned warehouse? - Captain America asked.
- I didn't kill him. - Spider-Man sighed. - I mean... I did want to do it. I was furious with him, he deserved to die but... I'm nobody to choose if he got to live or not. I wanted to get away but when I did, he tried to shoot me, I took the gun from him and dislocated his wrist so he couldn't take it again, then he tripped over a pipe. I tried to save him but I couldn't.
- I think you let him die. - Said the Black Widow.
- I know he's sincere, I can't see his true face, but I know it's the truth. - Captain America nodded.
- Maybe it is not a good idea to give him the benefit of the doubt so easily, Captain. - Thor let out.
- He's just a kid, he doesn't have the guts. - Hulk said.
- Stop calling me kid! - Spider-Man snapped.
- Shut up and let the adults talk quietly. - Hawkeye snapped.
- Enough. - Captain America snapped. - There is an easier way to find out if Spider-Man is telling the truth. JARVIS, is the boy lying?
- According to the scanners, he is telling the truth. - Answered the AI of the mansion.
- Or at least he thinks he does. - Iron Man said before he shrugged. - But if Cap trusts him, I think I do too.
- Well, I don't. - Hawkeye snapped.
- You only say it because he kicked your and Nat's butts. - Wasp laughed. - I think he's a reliable boy.
- I think you forgot all the disasters he has caused. - Black Widow pointed out.
- As if you were any different, Natasha. - Ant-Man snapped.
- Pym is right, you almost kill several innocents for trying to take the child to S.H.I.E.L.D. - Thor said.
- It was my mission.
- That does not give you the right to put lives at risk. - Black Panther snapped.
- We agree that Natasha is a bitch, now, as for the child, what will we do? - Clint asked before receiving a punch from Natasha.
The Avengers stared at Spider-Man for a moment, then the Wasp approached the young hero and put a hand on his shoulder.
- Honestly, the streets are crowded with criminals and since we are usually very busy saving the world from major threats, we usually forget the small criminals. - The Wasp said. - So I say we let him go, we have no proof that he's a bad guy.
- Wasp ... - Ant-Man sighed.
- I'm serious, and if someone says something against him, will have to fight with me.
With that said, Wasp loaded her stingers and aimed against each of her teammates, until Spider-Man distracted her by placing her hand on Janet's shoulder.
- Why are you helping me? - Asked Spider-Man.
- We bugs have to watch each other's backs, right? - Wasp chuckled. - Besides, Cap already said it, you're not a threat, you're a hero and I trust you, boy, I know you won't disappoint me.
- I hope so...
- I hate to admit it but if JARVIS, Cap and Jan think you are trustworthy, I will give you the benefit of the doubt. - Iron Man said while he watched a couple of holograms of Spider-Man's actions. - And you have potential, maybe in the future, with enough training and a good guide, you'll become an Avenger.
- You definitely need a lot of training, son. - Captain America said. - But I think I can help you with that, if you ever swing around here and if we both have spare time.
- Are you serious?! - Said Spider-Man with surprise and joy.
- Sure, I'll help you out too. - Wasp said.
- And if you do not mind, I would like to learn more about Miraculouses. - Said Black Panther. - In return, I could help you train in combat as well.
- Am I the only one with some common sense here? - Hawkeye asked. - He's a child, we can't let him walk around with magical powers without supervision.
- You speak as if you were his mother, Cupid. - Hulk grunted with a smile. - I bet it's because he kicked your ass despite being a child without training.
- Shut up, Jade Jaws!
- It definitely hurt your ego, isn't it? - Iron Man chuckled.
- Yeah, I mean, you scrub us in our faces almost every week that you saved the team twice, but our young friend just swings by and, if Natasha wasn't such an unscrupulous woman, he would've escaped and you two wouldn't have been able to stop him. - Janet laughed.
- You have no idea how much I hate you all... - Clint growled through gritted teeth.
Natasha rolled her eyes and sighed in annoyance, then followed her former teammate out of the room, while everyone returned their attention to Spider-Man.
- You're very puny, kid, but I must admit that you know how to smash. - Hulk growled as he saw a hologram of Spider-Man destroying the front of a car by falling on it.
- Thanks... I guess... - Said Spider-Man.
Hulk chuckled slightly, then walked over to the boy and patted him on the back, which left Spider-Man quite sore, then the green giant walked silently to the exit.
- Congratulations. - Thor said. - Hulk is just that kind with people he actually likes.
- I'd just wish his kindness was less painful... - Spider-Man said while he rubbed his shoulder.
- That'll make you stronger, kid. - Hulk snapped with a chuckle as he left the room.
- Well, I think it's time for you to go home, kid... - Janet said. - Sorry, I mean, Spider-Man.
- Ok, now you're definitely my favorite Avenger, Wasp. - Spider-Man said with a smile.
- Aww, and you're my favorite vigilante, Spidey. - The Wasp said while she ruffled Spider-Man's hair.
- Ok, ok, enough. - Iron Man said. - It's time to go, kid. We'll be in touch.
With that said, Iron Man handed a blank card to Spider-Man, who looked at it with confusion.
- What's this? - Asked Spider-Man.
- A communicator, similar to the Avenger IDs, but don't even think for a second that this makes you an Avenger, you still need a lot of training. It's just to stay in touch.
- Understood, Mr. Stark...
- Well, Hank, escort the boy out of the mansion, we already have what we wanted to know... at least in part.
- Sure, follow me, kid. - Hank said as he shrunk and hopped over a flying ant.
Without saying anything else, Spider-Man nodded to the Avengers and followed Ant-Man, while the Earth's Mightiest Heroes looked at him.
- Do you think it is a good idea? - Asked Black Panther.
- The boy has the spirit and heart of a warrior, but he does not seem to be ready for anything other than petty criminals. - Thor said.
- I think he's ready for anything. - Wasp said. - I mean, everyone knows about him since just a couple of weeks ago and he almost managed to best one of the best agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and an Avenger, at the same time.
- I know that one day, he'll be the best of all of us. - Captain America said.
- You give it a lot of merits. - Said Iron Man. - He has potential, but he needs a lot of training. Maybe he'll become an Avenger, but for the moment, I guess Manhattan and its citizens can sleep in peace, the boy's not a threat as Jameson said. JARVIS, put him on the list.
- In which one, sir? - Asked the AI.
- The New Avengers Initiative.