Happiness a luxury denied to many, though some more than others. Faith deals its cards out and whatever hand one gets that is what they must play with, if someone are lucky enough to get dealt a wonderful hand then all is well, but for those who are not they can either play to make it better or do an all in and risk the out come. Or some just loss everything for the sake of something else. Something desirable, but for that desire there is always a price that must be given, what the price was depended upon the person, some minor than others. It just depended on how much their desire meant, and what they where willing to pay.
Words such as these hunted not just your mind, but very soul. They where branded into like cattle, it burned every time those words echoed in your mind. Words so true, that brought fear should anyone else know. To trade in something so precious, which often made you wonder how you could live with yourself. The word happiness simile seem stripped from you at a young age, starting with your mother and seem to keep being stripped from you over and over again, no matter how many times you tired to hold onto it or make your own. It was something fate seem to deny you greatly and price you had to pay for dearly. One you wish you had not, one that made you deny those trying to offer it back to you. But you shunned it, specifically a certain two in particular. Something that made you rethink somethings, and with this made you forsake those words just a moment of bliss happiness.
Jewel stops excitedly in front of bakery pressing her delighted face up against the glass. Drooling just slightly, marveling at all the sweets her glistening blue eyes looked up. Everything looked so delicious, she didn't know which to choose. With her attention upon the sweets a figure makes this way behind her. She paid them no mind, as a hand reached out and settled on her shoulder. Making the girl turn up at the person, the sun cast a shadow over their face making it hard for her to see their face. But it didn't matter, she already knew who it was from their touch and voice.
"Do you want to inside?"you ask the girl, who nods her head eagerly with a smile similar to her father's."Alright."
Standing up and walk to the door to the bakery, before your hand even reached the door handle Jewel's did almost ripping it open if not for you, catching it just in time. Her strength was one to behold for a child her age, then again she wasn't like any normal child having powers and super strength being one of them. Inheriting it from Spider-Man and yourself no doubt, she was strong but it was easy to see she had not reached her full potential. Still it was enough to earn some praise and make her a force to be reckon with. Besides her strength, she also inherited Spider-Man ability to stick to surfaces not to mention his agility and a minor of his spider-sense. Mostly taking after the webhead hero, as for you on what powers she inherited there hadn't been many to see. So strength was what she had, which was good for you. The thought of her inheriting the 'other' powers disturbed you.
Walking into the bakery looking around and spotting Jewels over by the desserts and pastries trying to decided which one she wanted. She wasn't dressed in her normal hero attire she would wear at the Academy or when went on patrol. Instead dressed in normal clothes for a child her age, jean overalls shorts with a canary yellow long sleeve fitted shirt with red strips pattern on the arms, a red E=Mc in the center of her shirt, with red tennis shoes to match. Her attire almost mirrored Peter's casual wear. She kept her braided in a ponytail. The look suited her well, it was different than what you where wearing. A deep purple lace up flare sleeve fitted blouse short dress. With dark brown ankle boots, you kept your hair still in its ponytail though it was a looser compared to tighter on missions. You carried a side strap purse matching your boots.
Standing right behind Jewel who still had not yet decided which treat to choose from, from the look in her eyes it seem like she was overloaded by the choices from a simple cupcake to a mini tart. If she had inherited any of your powers she did inherit a sweet tooth from you, because you remembering have that look on face when it came to treats. Which was why you enjoyed baking, so you could always make more and more whenever the tooth came on. Your eyes scan each row, trying to decide yourself which one you would like. There was Creme Burlee, that sounded good. But there was also the crepe or Eclair. This was tough, a really tough decision.
But you didn't mind at all, looking down at Jewel it was clear that besides the treats she was more happy spending time with you. Something she has been dying to have, something which you had previously denied her. For your personal reason, but since had a sort of change of heart if one could call it that. Not because of the lectures from Fury, nor from Rhino and Agent Venom or a few others. Even Iron Fist encouraged it, not because of the video footage you saw of Jewel's training or the bonding she was developing with Triton. The reason for it was thanks to Zola, because of that madman who opened your eyes more. Making you see and astoundingly feel the pain of loosing, Jewel. After he took over the school and replaced nearly almost everyone with his puppets. He managed to rip Jewel away from you and Spider-Man. It was then that it clicked in you, brought in a sense feeling back. A feeling you knew all to well, the same feeling you felt loosing your mother all those years ago. Even though you were young, the feeling lasted and right before your eyes it almost happen again.
Seeing flesh and blood being taken away, the look in Jewel's eyes reminded you of your very own. Screaming for your mother, as she screamed for you despite her tough resilience. It was there in her eyes as plain as day, her hand had reached out towards you and before you knew she was gone. Not soon after you had also been capture, to be confine once again in darkness. Compared to before when it happened you thought of nothing much besides an unseen desire. This time it was different, your mind was solely on Jewel and thought of her safety. You had reflected greatly upon her time when she first arrived to now. Mixed in with your own suppress emotions of longing for your own mother. Making you understand, understand a bond in which you never fully experienced before having lost it.
With that epiphany brought to light, once your eyes opened back up and all was well with everyone. Spider-Man, Rhino and Agent Venom having saved the day, your first thought was not to discard anyone's concern or to ignore Jewel's presence. It was to find her, and found her you did unharmed, safe and well. Unsure what came over you, this sudden surge that compelled you to search her out and just her alone. Not fully sure what it was, but all you knew was that brought a sense of life back in you. What you thought was empty, started to fill up. Though you had no words to explain it, it felt like there was none needed. Because Jewel didn't know how to respond, she was just as shocked. A sense of acceptance emitted from her, without reading her mind you knew and so did the others, that finally she had earned it. Something that made you feel guilt about, because a child should not have to work to gain acceptance or love from their parent or parents. It should be given freely, but you had pay for it.
Since that day, you switched to where you earn her love and acceptance. Having started spending more time with her, it was and slightly awkward at first. But Jewel surprising gave you acceptance, which puzzled you and made you feel unworthy. Pushing you to make things right with her, that didn't mean you would not accept her feelings which you did. For some reason it made it easier, though you more accepting and open with her. Not much could was said with Spider-Man, you knew he felt because you finally paid attention to Jewel. This meant something for him, but kept him at arms length. Something he didn't understand, even when tired from afar. You kept everything cordial and professional, something he seem to get and feel. Yet despite it hurting, he tired different approaches with you. Even if they failed, he was just happy things had began to bloom between you and Jewel.
Placing a affectionate hand upon Jewel's shoulder, you felt her tense up for a second before relaxing. Crouching down just a bit, your face just a few inches away from her's though not pressed up against the glass. While she drooled over the desserts you managed to control yours a bit more.
"...How about the dipped Macaroons?"you suggest.
Jewel's eyes zip over to them, they grow big at the sight of the sparkling desserts all nicely lined up in a row, half way dipped in either white, milk or dark chocolate. Everything looked so rich and delicious, having decided now seeing the look in her eyes. Making you softly chuckle.
"It's settle than, pick as many as you want."you tell her.
Hearing those words, words that made you make a memo to use sparingly next time because Jewel didn't waste anytime and picked out triple of every flavor. Surprising even the owner, who had to use four boxes just for the order. You had a sugar tooth, but Jewel had a major one. After ordering the treats along with a bottle of apple juice for her and a simple latte for yourself, leave the bakery.
"Thank you so much, for all the treats!"Jewel squeals on the top of her lungs, gushing over the four boxes she held.
Eyeing each one unsure which one to start with, though it didn't make a difference because they each had the same amount. But to her it was a big deal, looking around you find a place a to sit down with her a small table with chairs. Taking the seats, setting the boxes all out, giving her the apple juice. Jewel clasps her hands together like she was about to pray.
Which surprisingly she was doing."Thank you so much for the bountiful sweet meal!"With that she waste no time and opens one of the boxes taking two macaroons in each hand, stuffs her face. Munching away at the sweet, making a mental note to make sure she gets in some practice back at the Academy because her on a sugar rush was not a good thing.
After eating the first four she goes for two more, at surprising speed popping one in after the the other. With a box in front of you, you open it and pick out just two, though unlike Jewel you ate them a normal speed. Watching her gulp down her food and drink her juice all in one motion was amazing. She really had Spider-Man's energy with a bit of your old self energy. But she was still herself, a smile of pride etches on you. You could see why Spider-Man held her so high, she was a joy to behold. How could you have missed out on this for so long, this was the feeling of what a mother and child shared.
It was nice, and you didn't want it to end. Despite what you had to do get back here, it didn't matter what you paid. Denying yourself this bit of happiness, just didn't feel right. Not caring for the consequences, it was true what they said a parent would sacrifice anything for their child, and you didn't mind so. Taking another treat and sip of your drink, you noticed something the noise level of the city was dying down, fading away. It was weird, besides the sound what seem to be fading or disappearing also..
"What is happening to everyone?"Jewel becomes aware the people disappearing all of sudden.
Alert by this a certain instinct took over you. A protective one, like a lioness to her cubs and grab hold of Jewel pulling her up with you. Sensing danger coming though unsure where, all that mattered was keeping Jewel safe. More people started to disappear, holding Jewel's hand in your own, you felt her grip it tighter, yours became tighter with her too. Picking up the pace, your eyes stayed sharp and diligent.
"Stay close."you tell her, dodging this sudden light blue beam of light that came down and once it landed on a person they disappeared. Dodging the light beam, made you pick up your speed more. It soon turned into a run, Jewel stayed next to you. You had to get back to the Academy, holding tightly to Jewel, when a light beam came down behind you.
Panicking, you grab Jewel and throw her away from the beam making you become caught in it. Feeling ever bit of your cells and molcules become light and tear apart. Jewel, gets up from the ground turning around to you, her eyes wide with that same fear.
She rushes to you."STOP!"you yell at her, making the scared girl stop in her tracks."Go! GO find your fa-"before you could finish. Your eyes widen in horror, another beam of light comes down, either the beam was fast or your words came out slow. But the second you scream for Jewel, it was to late.
The beam got her, before she knew what was going on. She looks at you scared, her eyes called out to you. With everyone ounce you had, extend your hand to her trying to grab her, she does the same thing. For it to be vain, before either of your finger tips could touch, both mother and daughter where teleported away from the other. The last thing you remember was hearing Jewel scream.
"MOMMY!"
Snapping awake by someone, looking around finding yourself somewhere else and into your hero attire. It was not New York at all, it seem like some sort of spaceship or craft. It was large, how knew because one you felt small and second because of the two large humanoid looking men. One had light blue skin, with white hair standing up in an arch shape almost like horns dressed in yellow and red robe carrying a staff. You where upon his shoulder, across from him was the other he had peach complexion, with pupiless white eyes, his hair was more normal. Dressed in a red cape and blue and golden almost armor, he looked regretful compared to the man who's shoulders you stood on.
"Kylie!?"Spider-Man calls to you, getting your attention.
Turning to him, surprised to see him on the other side made you happy yet confused."Spider-Man? What are you doing here? What's going on?"you look around, when it clicked."Jewel! Where is Jewel!"
Before Spider-Man could say anything, the man whom you stayed with speaks up."Well, finally you're awake. Well then, might as well get the formalities out of the way."his speech was slightly charming, not with the dark deep chuckle."I am The Grandmaster, and the one over there is my brother. The Collector we are both cosmic beings, and we are about to enjoy a lovely gam-"
"Where is Jewel?!"you demand."Where is my daughter?!"
Your outburst irritated the Grandmaster that he drops his shoulder making you fall from that high up, but he catches you in his hand tightly. Bringing you back up to his eye level.
"Kylie!"Spider-Man panics."Don't you hurt her!"he threatens the elder. Who pays no mind to what he said.
"Now then, let's not be rude."The Grandmaster tells you."Follow the rules right, and your daughter will be safe." He brings up a hologram of Jewel in stasis sort of container. Seeing this made your heart drop, you look to Spider-Man. The Grandmaster jerks you back to look at him."Our game is a battle, between heroes and villains. Who so ever wins gets New York back, and your daughter's safely. Though should one lose, they don't get to return back to New York. I'm sure that is a good enough incentive, to play don't you agree?"
No words escaped you, there was nothing to say. What could you say? His words and rules where solid and from the tone of his voice he would not waiver, looking to the elder, with his sickly smirk on. Jewel's life was on the line, not to mention others, including your uncle's. The only family you actually had left, including Jewel, that gripping feeling tugged upon your soul. The thought of losing them or anyone, flushed out any sort of fulfillment that had existed inside you. It was true, happiness never stayed with you. Always grievance and nothing else, pained by such a decision. And to make matters worse, the team in which you where to fight one made worse.
"By the way, you will be my wild card of my collection of villains."Grandmaster tells you.
Both you and Spider-Man look at him in objection and shock."That's not fair!"Spider-Man objects."Kylie is a hero, not a villain you can't do that."he turns to the Collector."He can't do that. Say something?!"his voice shook with grief and anger. He refused to go along with this. You could hear it in his emotional words, just as it reflected in your eyes.
Though he protest, it was obvious The Grandmaster was not going to listen at all. All The Collector could do was just abide by what his brother said, he had the heroes, Grandmaster had the villains.
Realizing you where not objecting to this, Spider-Man looks at you at a lost."Kylie why aren't you objecting to this. You're not a villain, you're too much of a good person to be that."
Grandmaster chuckles."On the contrary, Kylie here is every bit of a villain. History does say other wise, through her lineage, and lets not forgot someone's dark past, with daddy dearest."
Know what he meant, only angered Spider-Man in for your defense."It doesn't matter her family lineage, shes been raised to be a hero since the beginning. And what she did, it wasn't her fault!"His words burn with passionate fury."Kylie is not a villain."he growls.
Grandmaster throws his head back and laughs heartily."How cute, what strong emotions you have her. I do wonder how strong they would be, should you find out the actual truth how your beloved Kylie ca-"
Shocked he knew, and afraid he would say something to Spider-Man. You cut him off."Please! Don't."you plead to him, all eyes fall on you. For the first time since you've been back Spider-Man saw you crack, showing a bit of vulnerability. Clearly there was something in what Grandmaster said that spooked you and made you afraid from him to say anymore.
Your eyes drop low in shame and regret, and close tightly with disgust. He didn't know why, but something told it whatever it was had to be the reason for your distance. That you yourself where ashamed of it, so shamed that you could not look at Spider-Man. You turn a cold shoulder to him, holing back your own building emotions. Looking to the Grandmaster nodding your head in compliance.
"I understand."you cave in.
"Kylie..no."Spider-Man cries while staying strong.
"Well, then I believe we have that out the way."Grandmaster sets you back on his shoulder."Let us begin brother. Choose your players." Three holograms come up in front of Grandmaster and two in front of The Collector. Looking you knew the heroes, Hulk and Iron Man. While Grandmaster choose, Kraven, Windego and Molten Man. With the players chosen including Spider-Man, each one was teleported back down to the city. While the hologram of the city in which the two elders could control and watch the game."Now brother, let the games begin."