New York - Cemetery
After Pietro's funeral at the local graveyard, Peter kneeled in front of the Parker's eternal resting area and used his right black gloved hand to gently place the bucket of flowers in the center of the small monument. He slowed his breathing, closed his eyes, and touched the gravestone with the tip of his finger, remaining in silence for a few couple of minutes.
Holding her mother's hand which was covered with glove similar to her father's, Elizabeth whispered softly, "Is that daddy's dad and mom?"
Gwen caressed her daughter's hand with her thumb as the cold wind of spring brushed against the material of their coats. "Yes, sweetie, and his Uncle's as well, Ben Parker."
Elizabeth continued gently, "What happened to them?"
Gwen explained in a low tone, "They're unfortunately taken from us too soon, you weren't born yet, but they're very good persons." She paused. "Your dad and I will explain everything to you once you're old enough, because it's not really an easy story to tell."
"Just like Grandpa George's?"
She nodded. "Just like Grandpa George's, but don't worry, everything on it's proper time, okay?"
"Alright." She turned to look at her mourning father.
Peter sighed calmly and slowly stood up on his feet. He turned on his back and approached his girls, giving them a genuine smile in the process, trying to appear alright while burying his true feelings under his scarred skin.
Gwen questioned carefully, "You okay, honey?"
Once close enough, Peter placed a hand on her waist and gave her a tiny peck on the lips which she gladly reciprocated. "I'm fine, this has turned out to be much easier nowadays, you know, paying my respects." He offered his hand to his daughter as she happily took it on hers.
"I know." Gwen smiled reassuringly. She briefly eyed the gravestones over his shoulder where Peter was previously knelled next to it, regretting not being able to meet her husband's parents and Uncle. "Life isn't fair, is it?" She asked as they started walking with Elizabeth standing between them, while holding their hands.
Peter replied softly, "Maybe, but this life gave me you and the kids; I wouldn't ever change that for anything, we move on, and continue our lives."
Gwen smiled to herself. He always had his way with words, and despite him considering himself heavily flawed, she thought the opposite, he was everything she could ever ask for. Her life could have taken a totally different turn not for him.
"Where are we going now?" Elizabeth questioned as she cocked her head at her parents.
Peter chuckled. "Pick your brothers who are probably driving your grandma May crazy, but I don't have any plans for later on, you do, Liz?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know; maybe some ice cream?"
"Hmm, could be." Peter nodded. "What do you think, mommy?"
"I think that our daughter is an ice cream addict and I honestly don't know where she got that from." Gwen joked.
Elizabeth beamed a smile and said innocently, "I love ice cream."
Peter laughed. "We know that, darling." He turned to look at his wife. "But hey, you certainly know where that came from, cocoa house?"
Gwen groaned and shook her head. "I was younger."
Peter winked to her. "And you haven't changed quite a bit."
She smiled at his cheesy, yet lovely words.
Elizabeth interjected, "Mommy wanted a cocoa house, for real?"
Later on the night...
Gwen's eyes suddenly jolted open as a wave of panic entered her mind. Always alert and prepared for anyone or anything that would attempt to strike her down in her moment of weakness, she quickly realized where she was, seeing the fully content and peaceful face of Peter as she rested on his chest, lost in a sleep she had rarely seen from the hero since the war.
When it came to their relationship he was a terrible liar, saying he would stay awake while she slept after being on the run for so long, giving her 'the security she deserved,' but knowing the war took a toll on him both emotionally and physically.
After making sure her husband was still sleeping normally, Gwen brought the sheets close to her bare neckline and used the controller to active the TV's screen on the opposite side of the room. It was very early morning, but among the hundreds of channels there was always something on. She kept the sound very low so that her husband and children could remain undisturbed, while Ren was laid on her legs, he slept like a rock, so his sleep wasn't in any danger.
"Preparations are in store for the war ceremony, and we're here to show you the post-war fashions that would make even Ultron give pause!"
Terrible, she thought as she gently stroked Ren's skin, although in his current sleepy state she could have pinched him on the cheek and he would still be out of commission. Next...
"Hydra. The vile organization that claimed to 'represent humanity's advancement' now lies broken and shattered after nearly destroying everything. Come with us as we look through their darkest location to date."
Next. Gwen quickly changed the channel with a swipe on the controller.
"-building efforts on USA continue despite continued dissatisfaction with promised support. Many in the congress feel the country is being put on the backburner while the focus remains on Europe confirmed."
Gwen scoffed silently. She ran her free hand on her blonde hair and then changed the channel, but the current one actually caught her interest. Footage of the past days where her Spider-Man and his friends helped to 'clean' the damaged city was show.
"While The Avengers helped a great deal to stop Ultron and his army, many don't think that way, according to a research made with random citizens, a small but vocal group blames the famous group for allowing such event to happen, accusing Tony Stark of mishandling the drones he was working on, despite his arguments that everything was a plan established by Hydra, a trap. They demand justice, and that those who are called 'heroes' needs to be controlled in some way, regulated by the government seems to be the most suggested option by many."
Gwen shook her head in disapproval. If the only knew what that would mean to persons like Peter, but then again, they only care about themselves, heroes be damned. She snarled mentally, frustrated by what she just had heard.
The following footage looked to be from one of the battles that Peter had participated, the last one to be more precise. A red and blue-ish figure could be seen from above, it was on the ground, facing an entire horde of drones at the same time, webs were spun, and that could only mean...
Oh my...
"As you see now, that iconic blue and red suit againt the fifth drones is none other than Spider-Man himself, making sure all civilians were evacuated while distracting the drones. That enough is cause for praise, but the famed hero was also avoiding the deadly laser that emits from the drones' hands.
She shouldn't have been concerned with what she saw since that same man was sleeping comfortably by her side, still oblivious to the gentle light that was emitted from the screen.
But as the camera zoomed in to clearly track Peter as he dodged the red beams while simultaneously attacking his foes, Gwen couldn't help but feel a momentary pause in her breath as each new beam carved through the ground he stood on.
He only told me they evacuated the area before the fight started , not that he was being the damn bait during the fight...
"Remind me to never dare Spider-Man to a WWE match."
Gwen rolled her eyes at how annoying this supposed off the cuff remark came across as the reporter continued to talk over the camera footage.
Gwen's pressed a button which turned off the large screen as Peter stirred slightly. At first she was concerned that she had woken the man from his sleep, but then noticed a truth that she thought was only a humorous tease: she had taken most of the bedsheets.
Sliding back down from the headrest Gwen gave Peter a mock look of tease. Even though he was asleep she could practically hear 'told you so' emitting from his sealed lips. The fact that he was lightly smiling made it all the more unbearable. Gently she brought the covers over so he could retain some of the warmth he was starting to lose.
Propping her head on her elbow she watched the man sleep for a few more minutes, etching his peaceful look into her memory. She wanted to touch his face gently, simply to feel connected to this man who years ago chose her of all people in the world, but was content to remain watching him a pillow's length away.
A minute passed into her night time observation before a voice whispered from the sleeping man, "Gwendy...?" was all he spoke as a grin crossed his lips, eyes still closed.
Gwen surrendered the idea of hitting him for playing possum and simply obliged the request as she rested on his chest once again, but not before another kiss landed on his cheek.
The apartment managed to stand surprisingly intact during the brief conflict, aside from the very minor dust that accumulated and later got removed, everything was in order. Ren himself survived just fine, he ate his dog food after discovering which locket Gwen always stashed them. Their lives returned back to normal, no conflicts, just their family.
"Now, I just need to fit the lens properly." Peter said calmly, sat on the living room's floor with the twins next to him as their father tried to explain how he was placing his suit, which was between them, together.
While he fixed the suit, he wasn't sure if he could ever wear it again, feeling unprepared to protect the city again, not after the experience he went through, one that changed his perspectives.
Aiden touched the spandex with his fingers and asked, "When can I get one? I want to be like you, daddy."
Peter gritted his teeth, and replied gently, "You don't need one."
Aiden looked over his shoulder and to his father. "But I want to help people, be cool."
Peter chuckled. "You'll be cool, don't worry; and you can always help people without wearing a costume, it's not a requirement."
David interjected, "We could help you."
He smiled and stroked David's brown hair, appreciating his boys' desire to assist him, but that's something he didn't want them to do at all, having a normal and calm life was what they deserved. "I know you'll be able to." He nodded reassuringly and continued, "You two have so much to live, so much to experience and accomplish, this suit might take some things from your life, it comes with a cost, and eventually, the bill arrives...that's why I want you and your sister to avoid it, your generation is a bright one; you're all capable of great things and you don't need a suit to reach them."
The twins stood in silence, and while they're very young, they could understand the message their father wanted to pass. Aiden was the first to speak, "You won't get hurt anymore, daddy?"
So that's what this is about...
Peter rubbed the back of his neck, figuring an answer. "Um...well, I will try my best, it's hard to say." He smiled kindly. "You shouldn't worry about that, I will be fine."
After forgetting the whole subject as they continued to piece the suit together, checking for every inch of detail to see if everything was on it's own right place, Peter caught Gwen slowly walking downstairs, holding a cup of warm coffee on her right hand, before she approached him from behind and rested a hand on his hair.
"How is it going so far?" She handed him the cup and eyed the spandex.
Allowing the twins to have their fun with the suit, Peter took a sip and swallowed it as he frowned his face. "Jesus, honey, it needs more sugar."
Gwen smiled playfully. "Oh, I'm sorry if I couldn't please you, you never seem to complain about it."
Peter deadpanned. He eventually rollled his eyes and shook his head. "You know what I meant."
Gwen chuckled. "Well, too much sugar isn't healthy, and since I don't have any super powers, I need to be careful."
"Hmm... I see your point." He nodded, before turning back to the suit. "To your question; just some small adjustments here and there, for some reason...I prefer this suit than the other ones, aesthetically."
"Me too." Gwen walked around him and sat down on the couch as Peter moved himself backwards and leaned his back against the sofa and in the space between her ankles. She observed with a kind smile her boys sharing the suit between themselves and wearing parts of it, which were obviously too big for them.
"Where's Liz?" Peter looked up and meet her gorgeous green eyes.
"She's dressing, we're heading out in a few minutes."
Peter removed her right foot's slipper and caressed it gently, "Oh, secrets...? Where are you ladies going to anyways?"
"To the hairdresser; lower her hair as she wants, and I'm thinking about dying my hair black, what do you think?"
Peter shook his head, not believing her last sentence. "No way..."
"Why not?" Gwen grinned.
"Because...um, well - you're born to be blonde."
Gwen giggled and teased, "Oh, right, that's totally a good reason; I've now changed my mind." Her husband gazed her with eyes that inquired if she was actually messing around him with. "I won't; believe me."
Peter exhaled sharply, the thought of his wife dying her hair black was unsettling, he couldn't get used to it. She would become another person.
He forgot such thoughts and moved himself into the couch and next to his wife as she placed her cup on the arm stand and went to cuddle with him, noticing that their boys had disappeared while they talked.
"By the way, I'll visit the Tower, need to talk with Tony and confirm that I won't avenge anymore." He informed.
"I've been meaning to talk to you about that; look - if you want to continue, I won't mind because that's what you do best, aside from being a father, it's your choice."
"I know, " He smiled softly. "But that will get into dangerous missions, and right now; with three growing children, I need to be present and not away from home."
"That's not what I mean, honey, but Spider-Man."
Peter gazed her honest and truthful expression. He placed an arm around her shoulder and caressed her left cheek with the same hand. He asked gently, "What about everything we planned?"
Gwen rested a hand on his thigh. "It will happen, but we're happy right now, aren't we?" He nodded. "But the city still is recovering, it needs support, and you're the biggest figure out there... I mean - you're associated with this city; yes - I know someone else could take the job of assuring them safety, but it's not only that, you give them hope...and hope is what they now need most."
Peter moved his eyes away from hers, processing her words, and getting even more conflicted over the topic. "I...I don't know if I can..."
"What do you mean?"
He breathed deeply. "Can we talk about this later, honey?"
Gwen paused, noticing his pleading expression and surprised by the evasion. She nodded. "Sure."
"Thank you." Peter slowly leaned closer as Gwen closed her eyes and contained her breath, before brushing lips and finally kissing them affectionately, forgetting about everything for the little time they spent together.
"Mommy?" The seven years old girl called as she walked downstairs.
Gwen chuckled as they parted lips and turned to look at their daughter who was now standing in front of them with a big smile. "Ready?"
Peter said firstly, "Are you going to become a super model now?" He teased, observing her well chosen set of clothing which was appropriate to her age, yet very interesting and modern.
Elizabeth smiled brightly and shrugged her shoulders in response.
"Any daughter of mine has the potential of achieving that." Gwen winked to her husband and moved away from his arms, before leaning closer to adjust Liz's blonde hair bangs.
"I can see that." Peter nodded repeatedly. "Before you two are gone, Liz, do you know what your brothers are doing?"
"I think they're pretending to be Spider-Man with your webshooters, playing around upstairs."
Gwen deadpanned and slowly turned her head around, giving her husband a cold stare.
"Um...oops...?"
New Avengers Facility - Upstate New York
Amidst the enormous quantity of trees and green vegetation, there was a new and isolated facility, recently built to shelter a new team and a new philosophy, with special agents being trained and already prepared for field camp missions, small ships surveyed the area or landed in the appropriate spots, the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one - which would hopefully avoid the mistakes done in the past.
In the upper and empty floors, Natasha stood in silence as she gazed the window that gave her view of the beautiful forest not far away from the facility. She felt at ease, and she could finally catch her breath after fighting Ultron's tireless army of robots, yet, she wasn't one hundred percent back, but her personal feelings wouldn't get in the way of her professional duties, life continues.
Her phone beeped softly, she retrived the device from her waistline and opened the notification, being greeted by a video message from her long life friend, Clint Barton. His baby son appeared smiling lightly and squealing at the same time, clearly having fun. Natasha smiled after she noticed the shirt the baby was wearing, 'Nathaniel Pietro Barton' was written on it's front, a clearly tribute for Wanda's brother. "Fat as the father." She teased and smiled to herself, before placing her phone back to it's previous position.
"One of our tech geeky boys flagged this." Nick Fury calmly approached her from behind, holding a small datapad on his left hand. "Splashed down in the bottom of the sea, could be Banner's jet." He handed her the datapad. "With Stark's stealth tech, we still can't track the damn thing."
Natahsa cleared her throat and nodded professionaly, avoiding his eyes, and still trying to get some closure from the whole situation.
Fury continued, "Probably jumped out and started swimming to some beach." He noticed her hesitation. "Let's send him a post card." He turned around.
"Wish you were there...when you sent me to recruit him, way back then...did you know what was gonna happen?" Natasha inquired respectfully.
He stopped on his tracks and turned on his shoulder. "You never know, you hope for the best, and then make the most of what you get...I have a great team."
Natasha smiled. "Nothing lasts forever." She handed him the datapad.
Fury chuckled lightly, before saying, "Trouble, Miss Romanoff, no matter who wins or loses, trouble still comes around." He nodded and headed towards the elevator.
Natasha observed her boss walking away and crossed arms, before turning around to face the window again, moving on.
"The rules has changed." Steve said calmly as he accompanied the trio formed by Peter, Thor and Tony in the hallway which was filled with transparent windows, allowing them vision of the entire facility and beyond.
Tony, wearing civilian clothes like Peter for a change, affirmed, "We're doing something new."
Steve shrugged his shoulders and rested his hands on his belt. "Well, the Vision's artificial intelligence..."
Peter chuckled, enjoying the playful banter spread across the air around them. He stashed his hands on his leather jacket's pockets and followed them closely.
Tony continued, "A machine."
"So, it doesn't count?" The Avengers' leader turned his head to look at the billionaire and smiled.
He shook his head. "No, it's like - a person...who lifts the hammer..."
Steve gestured to him in agreement. "Right, it can rules us -"
Tony interrupted him, "Nice guy, artificial."
Thor interjected, "It can lift the hammer, it can keep the mind stone."
They slowly stopped on their tracks to face Thor and check if he was actually being serious with his latest sentence. Peter raised an eyebrow, not expecting the Asgardian to allow such powerful gem to be kept on Earth. "You sure?" He asked.
Thor nodded. "Yeah, it's safer with the Vision, and these days safety is in short supply." They stood in silence, reflecting by their friend's words.
Steve broke the silence, "But if you put the hammer in an elevator..."
Tony quickly replied, "It would still go up."
Steve shook his head in disapproval. "Elevator is not worthy..."
Thor laughed briefly, before placing one hand on Tony's shoulder while the free one in Peter's, patting them gently. "I will miss our cheesy talks."
"Not if you don't leave." Tony said friendly.
"I have no choice." They resumed their pace. "The mind stone is the fourth of the Infinity Stones found in the last years, it's not a coincidence."
The four friends finally stepped outside through an underground tunnel and reached the empty area with short grass. Above the entrance, a training squad just passed by as they procedded to run the track as their instructor previously demanded.
Thor continued, "Someone has been playing intriguing games and is making puns of us, once all his pieces are in position...
Tony recovered his pair of glasses from his open jacket and wore them, before joking, "Tell me it's Johnny Cash trying to live again."
Steve asked rather seriously, "You think you can figure out who's coming?"
"I do." Thor turned to Tony and quickly patted his chest. "Besides this one, there's nothing that can't be explained." He left them, before nodding and raising his hammer to the sky as a bright light suddenly appeared over him, later disappearing and leaving unknow symbols on the grass.
Peter whistled lowly. "Eh...so much for having a beautiful 'garden'."
Tony nodded, amused. He turned around as they headed towards his Audi parked not far way in the road. "Right? I'm gonna miss him though, I hear he's gonna miss me, there's going to be a lot of mainly tears." He joked and unlocked the fast car with the automatic keys.
Steve gazed him, "I will miss you, Tony."
"Me too, yo." Peter agreed.
"Yeah?" Tony's car automatically drove towards him. "Well, it's time for me to tap out, I think I should take a page from Barton and Peter's book, build a farm, settle down, hope nobody blows if up." He stopped next to the automobile.
Steve smiled. "A simple life."
"It's not hard as it looks, well - it kinda is, but it's worth it." Peter crossed his arms.
Steve hesitated. "I don't know...family, stability, the guy that wanted all that went to the ice decades ago and...I think someone else came out."
Tony stood quiet, feeling rather sad for his friend's tragic journey. He went to open the door and looked at the pair. "You two will be alright?"
Peter nodded sympathetically. "No promises."
Tony chuckled and moved his eyes to Steve, who seemed to be lost on his thoughts and to the sound coming from the facility's training grounds, similar to his days back at the military.
"I'm home." Steve replied without looking at his eyes, eventually doing so, seeing the billionaire's kind smile as he entered his poisonous car, nodding at them and then driving forward, leaving the facility he helped to build, and taking a break from being a hero, one that he needed after everything that went through.
Peter spoke, "So, Cap?"
"I assume I can't convince you to stay as an Avenger?" Steve smirked.
He chuckled. "Yeah, I appreciate it, but I'm gonna take care of my own city and family; saving the whole world is a scale which I'm not really ready to take again, you know?"
"I understand, and I respect your decision." He patted him on the shoulder. "You're a hero, Peter, I'm lucky for having you on my team; you can always count with me. I only wish the best for you and your family."
Peter smiled thankfully. "Thanks." They shook hands. "If I need a favor or two, I know who to call, until then, keep Avenging, Captain."
He nodded. "Roger that, Spider-Man."
After receiving a call from the local bank during the travel back to the city and scheduling a meeting for his own interests, Peter waited in the car and it didn't take many minutes before the banker replied; he could indeed see Peter for a consultation as well. Almost at the same time Peter had also received a message from Gwen who asked when he would return. Peter replied to Gwen that he would be back within the hour; and Gwen sent back a message that he didn't need to hurry back or anything, only that she would shower and was curious when he would be back. Peter became curious and wondered if his beauty was up to something.
He left the car and strolled inside. It looked the same it had done over the years earlier, a giant structure, with a fancy decorations and automatic machines. Behind the financial adviser were several large computer towers by the wall.
The banker looked up and greeted cordial, "Peter Benjamin Parker. Spider-Man's photographer, always a pleasure, and for you I will always have time, I'm Jon."
"I appreciate it, Jon." Peter replied friendly and took a seat in front of him.
"So. What can I help you with?"
Peter got right to the point, "Your assistant said you had recovered my father's will, but I'm wondering how it disappeared on the first place."
"Ah, yes, a man brought the will and suitcase a few days back."
"Go on."
"Well, he said this company which you'd know about, tried to erase all files from Mr Richard, and he had discovered it in some old installation at England." He explained. "I believe only you can understand the message, because I can't make any sense of it, and I apologize in advance, I assume the responsibility in investigating how this happened."
Peter rubbed the back of his neck. "It's all right, um...is there anything else this man said to you?"
"Here," He grabbed a piece of paper on his desk and handed it to Peter who then procedded to read the handwritten message.
Even after all these years, your unibrow is as distracting as your overly colorful suit.
- HO
Peter raised an eyebrow, not believing what his eyes were showing. "Wow...I, um...okay." He smiled lightly.
"Do you want me to open the suitcase here."
He shook his head. "It's fine, I...can you check my account?"
Jon typed commands into his computer and nodded, "Indeed. With the will's bonus and Anthony Stark's latest transference, one million 497 298 dollars to be precise." He peered carefully at Peter, "I hope you're not going to withdraw it or close your account? Accounts like yours are essential for the city's recovery."
Peter raised a hand a smiled reassuringly, "Not my intention."
Jon breathed relieved, "Good."
"I do on the other hand wish to add an apartment to my finances. It's located here in the city." Peter gave Jon the necessary documents. "My…domestic partnership has changed considerably since last time I came here, years, years ago. I have someone I want – if it comes to that – inherit what I have. Maybe some sort of will could be drawn up. An estate maybe."
"I see," Jon said and looked at his screen. "That can be arranged. Are you married with this person?"
Peter nodded, "Yes, I want her to inherit what I own if something happens to me."
"An estate is a good idea. You are rather famous. Your significant other could stand to lose millions from not being able to control your likeness, legal rights, interests, property and other issues after any untimely demise of you. And so could you even if alive."
Peter mumbled sardonically, "It's so fun being famous…and I haven't even showed the big thing." He continued seriously, "For the moment I want this secret, and not even Gwen – as is her name – is to know about this, or else she'll kill me for doing it."
Peter didn't want to involve Gwen, because it was a depressing thought; him dying . Still, it was definitely a real concern. Not only that, he didn't want her to think about their relationship in regards of wealth. They had never done so, and he didn't care about her finances, but he very much wanted her to have some measure of security if he died.
He just wanted to continue their lives rather normally. Enjoy life with his beauty and kids. Do things together they had been denied for awhile because of Ultron.
"Of course." He promised. "There are a few details we've to go through to set this up, I require this Gwen's surname to begin with."
Central Park - Parker's picnic
With her father's assistance as he held her hand gently, Elizabeth carefully stepped over the skate, already prepared with her helmet for protection, and slowly tried to keep her balance.
"Easy now, beautiful." He moved his foot away from the wheel and placed his left arm on her waistline just for precaution. "You need to use your right foot to move it." She put her foot to the ground, moving the board slightly.
"This is not so bad." Elizabeth affirmed as she moved the skate forward with her father following her closely. She smiled contently as the skate slowly moved over the small path made of asphalt in the park.
"You think you can continue alone?" Peter asked softly, still with his arm resting on her waist.
Elizabeth shook her head rather nervously at the thought of her father releasing her completely. "Not really, daddy."
He nodded, accompanying her skate's calm pace, before smiling kindly. "It's okay, but remember; if you ever fall..."
Elizabeth finished the sentence for him, "I always need to get up."
"That's right." Peter briefly moved his eyes away from his daughter and turned his head to the opposite direction, seeing Gwen sat not far away from them and eyeing the twins who were now trying to successfully throw their small red Frisbee.
Peace was finally restored, their piece, because above everything, the responsibility and values, there was his family, and he would do anything for them; it's over, a new and fresh start. He wanted nothing but to enjoy his family and proceed to live their lives like they're doing before a new and now defeated threat emerged from the darkness.
After every single hurricane that passed by on his life, the whole thing with his family and friends, nothing had changed, his integrity was still holding up firmly, and now he would use such will to fulfill his duties as a father and raise the innocent children who were generated through the fruit of his and his wife's passion. Still, doubts about his own condition to wear the mantle again became more and more frequent over the past days.
Peter was about to turn his head back to Elizabeth if he hadn't caught a glimpse of a very familiar figure standing next to tree where Gwen was sat by. The red glowing orbs on it's head, the metallic torso and members were instantly recognized by him.
"Daddy...?"
Shocked, Peter didn't notice his arm letting go of Elizabeth's waist as he gazed the drone with confused eyes. He couldn't believe the sight, all drones were supposed to be deactivated after the global EMP was triggered, no exceptions. He quickly blinked his eyes and it wasn't there anymore, it had vanished with the wind.
How...
Finally noticing his hand wasn't holding his daughter, Peter immediately turned to where he had left her and saw the seven years old girl standing right in front of him with crossed arms, her facial expression wasn't the most welcoming one. The skate was next to her left foot.
"You let me go." Liz snarled, while she tried to appear made, her father found her incredible cute.
"I'm so sorry, sweetie." Peter apologized, kneeling to stay on her level. "I got distracted, my mistake."
Elizabeth sighed. "It's fine, I'm not weak." She suddenly smiled brightly. "I didn't fall off the skate after I moved it on my own, I think I can do a backflip, you know?"
He smiled back. "That's great, you're brilliant, never doubt that." He stood up and picked the skate from the ground, before holding her right hand. "C'mon, let's get back to your mom and brothers."
After reaching their original spot, Peter sat next to his wife and grabbed one sandwich from one of the plates while Elizabeth did the same. He devoured Gwen's delicious work, who watched him with surprised eyes as he ate the poor sandwich. Elizabeth also observed his fast pace, before she delicately took a bite from her own sandwich.
"Hmm..." Peter closed his eyes and savoured the food that filled his cheeks. "This is so good, Gwen." He said, while eating.
Gwen gave him a playful glare. "Manners, Peter, manners." She briefly gazed the twins who were digging something on the grass. "Now I understand why Aiden eats whatever he is offered in the same dork way as yours, you two are eating machines, David is calmer."
Peter followed her gaze. "Hey boys! Careful to not dig up Ant-Man!"
They laughed at his joke, getting even more excited about the possibility.
He chuckled, before turning his head back to his wife. "You know, I never understood those dreams I had after activating the Breach, you said you would explain it but we eventually forgot them; I'm curious."
Gwen nodded. "You were injected with a substance that puts your brain into full mode, the dreams keeps you aware and your body functional if any other method was required."
"I see, that's why I could hear you talking to me."
Gwen took his hand on hers. "Exactly, someone had to bring you back."
He teased, "Funny, I dreamed with Cleopatra."
Gwen raised an eyebrow. "You what?"
"A movie, she's my crush back then." He said innocently. "Good times."
Gwen scoffed and let his hand go. "Spare me of your teenage crushes."
Peter wrapped his right arm around her waist and brought her closer, Gwen tried to resist but she ultimately played along. "You know I only have eyes to you, mommy."
"Keep trying and you maybe can sleep on my bedroom tonight."
He chuckled, leaning closer for one persuasive kiss.
Elizabeth frowned at the sight. "Eww."
In the darkness of the living, with the only source of light coming from the TV which was showing some of Aiden's favorite cartoon, Peter stroked his son's soft hair who was lying against his chest and under his arm, ready to fall asleep.
The girls and David were already upstairs, probably tucked on their beds while Gwen herself waited for him before finally catching a goodnight rest.
Aiden wasn't surrendering that easily, putting his boys to sleep never was an easy task to being with, but Peter noticed his eyes were almost closed for some time now. He's persistent, Peter thought.
Deciding to move things forward and end his son's struggle, Peter went back on time and procedeed to remember the song his own very father used to sing to him when he tried to make him sleep, later becoming one of Peter's favorite songs.
Peter caressed Aiden's soft hair which was probably a characteristic he inherited from his mother, and tighened his grip gently. "Carry on my wayward son..." Peter whispered. "There will be peace when you're done..." He noticed that his boy was finally giving up. "...lay your weary head to rest..." Aiden naturally closed his eyes, entering the world of dreams while being protect by his father's arms. "...don't you cry no more."
Peter smiled to himself once he looked down to the fastly asleep boy on his chest, innocent, kind, and fully unaware of how much complicated life is, without any weight being placed against his small shoulders.
He turned off the TV and carefully adjusted the four years old on his arms, before slowly standing up and eventually heading upstairs. He passed by Elizabeth's room, seeing the door open and her bed empty. Not far away, he spotted dim lights coming from underneath the door to his bedroom. He reached for the twin's door and opened it gently, catching David tucked under the covers of his own bed which was in format of Lego while Aiden's was a car since he adored them.
"Love you." Peter said softly once he laid Aiden down on his bed and brought the covers close to his neckline, he kissed his forehead and approached David, doing the same action, before stepping outside the room and closing the door.
Now entering his own bedroom, Peter saw his wife and daughter cuddling on the bed, with Gwen holding what looked to be their family's photo album with her hands as Elizabeth gazed it with affectionate eyes.
Gwen chuckled lightly. "This your dad, when he was thin, the messy hair? So cute."
Elizabeth giggled, seeing a picture of her father cutting Aunt May's grass, shortening them. "He looks very young."
Gwen nodded in agreement. "17 years old, basically a baby." She looked up once she noticed her husband's arrival. "Oh, hey there, daddy; we're just talking about you."
Peter smiled lovingly, approaching his side of the bed and lying next to her daughter who was between them. "Thin...?"
"Well, you weren't always bulky, even after becoming Spider-Man." Gwen replied. "You definitely got extra some pounds since Elizabeth came."
Peter shrugged his shoulders. "I suppose you're right."
Elizabeth intertwined her fingers with her father's and interjected, "You look the same to me, since I can remember." She offered a delicate smile.
"Thank you." He kissed the top of her head, and gazed the album, instantly recognizing an infamous picture, at least for him. He and Gwen were walking down the stairs from his Aunt's house, both of them wearing black tie and a dark pair of glasses. "That's our first Halloween together, isn't it?"
"Yeah, you wanted to dress as MIB, care to explain our daughter why?"
Peter cleared his throat. "Um... I accidentally lost our Jedi clothes when swinging around, it fell from the backpack and into the river..."
Gwen raisen an eyebrow. "That's the official story, 'accidentally'."
Elizabeth brought the covers closer to her. "I think daddy lost it on purpose." She stated innocently.
"Busted."
Peter sighed, being betrayed by his own daughter who took her mother's side. "Thank you, Liz, but for the record, I do like Star Wars."
Elizabeth continued. "But you like MIB more, I find it silly."
Peter scoffed. "Yeah - I can see that." He noticed she was getting more and more comfortable on their bed. "Little Missy, why are you getting all warmed up on my bed?"
"I'm tired..." Elizabeth sighed lightly, she rested her head on his pillow and slowly closed her eyes, leaivng her parents totally surprised.
Peter and Gwen exchanged a curious glance, smiling towards each other, before following their daughter's initiative and preparing themselves to sleep, turning off the lamp and lying close to Elizabeth, hugging her safely.
Peter opened his eyes, seeing he was standing in the middle of a rather dark and empty corridor with countless of door on each side. He heard a sound of a tiny puddle landing against the ground below his feet. He looked down to his red gloved hands, noticing they're covered with blood, his whole Spider-Man suit was damaged, and his mask was nowhere to be found.
Failing to understand what was going on, he suddenly heard a loud sound coming from one of the doors, immediately getting him alarmed.
Cautiously, Peter took one step forward and carefully searched for the disturbance's source, eventually stopping at door numbered as 544, a number he thought it was familiar, but couldn't remember where it was from. Nonetheless, he turned the knob and fully opened it, being greeted by the sight of a man wearing black jacket and blue jeans, probably with the same height as his, he stood quietly at the far end of the bedroom which was his at Aunt May's house, with his back prompted to him as he stared the window that led to the empty.
The figure held his bloodied mask with his right hand. "It took you sometime." He broke the silence.
"Who are you?" Peter stepped inside, the door instantly closed behind him.
The mysterious person chuckled. "With such intelligence, you really ask dumb questions, don't you?" He finally turned on his shoulder, exposing his face to Peter's eyes.
Peter raised an eyebrow, seeing himself in front of him. "Um...you - I mean me..."
"I'm you, smartass." He used the mask to wipe the small trace of blood on his right cheek and then clean his hands.
"O-Okay...this is definitely a weird dream, time to go." Peter snapped his fingers, trying to wake up, and failing miserably. "Well...it always worked in movies."
"This is not a dream." He pointed out. "Let's get straight to the point? Let's talk about the fact that you're not the same man you used to be?"
Peter cocked his head. "Awkward, I'm talking to myself."
"You can't lie to me, I know how you feel, worthless." He chuckled sarcastically. "But the attitude never changes, I guess I'll have to change it myself; you just can't accept that you're a broken man who's always trying to turn your skills into something good? When the only thing that comes from it is pain, lies and suffering."
"You're not real."
"Sure I am, I'm you." He start to pace around Peter. "You're just a mindless and obedient attack dog, controlled and trapped; it's all about the family, 'friends' and people who you never met, but us? There's nothing for us, we're slaves, the powers? Daddy's, wife? Came from your powers, same for the children, see? We're basically nothing, because of your poor choices."
Peter smiled sarcastically. "Shut up."
He stopped behind Peter. "C'mon, you know you're cursed, death chases your family, and it will chase your descendents, it's already written on the stones, it's inevitable because you're not as strong as you could be." He stated harshly. "I - We can change that, I can give you a peaceful life, our children won't have to follow drastic means in the future to appease their pain that will happen."
"What do you even want from me?" Peter inquired aghast.
"Become my shadow, cut the shackles that are holding you back, do willingly, before it's too late." He stopped on his initial location. "Use that anger you're burying deep inside and let it flow into your suit, wear it again, be someone that make his own rules so that misery can be avoided." He stood in front of their desk. "Spider-Man is waiting for you, don't neglect him if you want your existence to be justified."
Peter turned around to face him. "You want me...to be Spider-Man again, and hurt people, badly?"
"Something like it." He smiled. "But yu already accomplished that, didn't you?" Peter closed his fists, holding the urge to not take one step forward. "Do as desired, and your reward will be granted, a peaceful life for everyone." He threw the mask to Peter's hands, and then gestured to himself. "Because this is you, and that suit you should wear reflects your future."
"I'm not like you."
"Yes, you are, and you know that." He insisted. "I know you look at the mirror, and hate what you see, you hate Peter Parker."
"You know nothing about my life, you're just a dream."
"And who do you think you are?"
"Shut up..."
"You're just everyone's puppets, and our boys will suffer from that, even your own father didn't care whether you lived or die -"
"Shut up!" Peter cursed violently and pushed the other Peter away who abruptly crashed against his desk, breaking the wood while making a mess of the stuff which was over it. "My father was an obsessed bastard! He couldn't save mom! I can protect my own family while he couldn't even protect his!" Peter punched his jaw repeatedly and then backed off.
He tried to get up but Peter kicked him down again. He looked up with fiery eyes. "Don't live in denial! You will share the same destiny as his!"
Peter pressed his hands to his neck, holding the shirt's collarbone tightly. "He wasn't there for me while I always was for my children! It wasn't fair! I didn't deserve what he put on me, and I don't deserve this!" He violently punched his other himself, getting his knuckle's skin bruised, and leaving his opponent unconscious. "...and they're my boys..."
He exhaled deeply, staring the other Peter with eyes filled with anger, venting off against his statements.
Unexpectedly, his evil counter part regained his conscious and looked up to him. "You're no hero, guardian or even a damn angel!" His brown eyes now turned black. "You'll fail, and this?! This is what you'll become!"
Shocked by the sudden change in the eyes, he stood paralyzed, receiving a murderous stare, before the ceiling and his surroundings started to shake.
3:00 AM
After abruptly waking up and getting off the bed, Peter ran the cold tap on the basin slowly, cupping his hands and splashing the cool water over his face. He looked up, studying himself in the mirror above the basin.
I know you look at the mirror, and hate what you see.
The war had taken it's toll on him, psychologically, emotionally, and physically, and his face betrayed it. He looked tired, drawn out and weary. The dark bags underneath his eyes emphasised that, as well as revealing his recent sleeping habits.
"You're wrong." He stated calmly.
Peter turned off the lights and very slowly opened the bathroom's door, seeing Gwen curled on the sheet and holding Elizabeth closely with her arms wrapped around their beautiful daughter.
He smiled briefly and took his shirt from the ground, before walking outside and heading downstairs. He went directly to the kitchen, opened the fridge and retrived a single beer from it, as he closed it, Ren woke up at the couch and sat to check the disturbance, spotting his owner passing by him and entering the balcony.
"C'mon buddy." Peter whistled lowly as he leaned over, seeing Ren jump ontop of the balcony's stool and gaze the now silent and cold city with his owner. "Looks like a totally different world, right? A quiet one." He took a sip, the refreshing liquid running down his body.
Ren cocked his head at him, waving his very small tail in the air.
"Yeah, I know." He nodded. "Sometimes, it feels like I'm part of this city, you know? Like - literally, and that I won't ever be able to abandon, even if wanted, somehow...things always managed to return here."
Ren scratched his ear with his right pawn.
"Do you think I'm merely serving anyone, instead of living my own life? And that everything was a consequence of my gifts? Was Ultron right? Do we - heroes, only cause pain?"
The pug stood quietly.
"Maybe, thank you, I'm just freaking out for no reason at all." They now embraced the silence among the darkness, gazing the sky full of stars, while contemplating it's complexity and beautifulness.
"You're talking with the pug? Gwen asked from behind, wearing a snug shirt and panties. She crossed her arms and gave him a warm smile.
Peter turned on his shoulder, bringing his beer along. "How long have you been here?"
"Long enough." Gwen took one step forward and gently retrieved the beer from his hands, gazing the city through her green eyes as she took a sip, before standing closely to the balcony's edge and leaving her husband surprised.
He approached his wife from behind and wrapped both arms around her waist. He kissed the back of her neck and rested his chin over her right shoulder. "Ren's a good listener, and why are you awake?"
Gwen placed the bottle in the edge and moved her hand over his' which were drawing circles on her bare belly. "I was about to ask you the same thing; I went to get some water and you weren't in bed."
"I'm not tired."
"So they say, but I'm your wife for almost ten years now, and my Gwendy senses are tingling." She smiled softly.
Peter chuckled lightly, before assuming a more serious expression. "Just..." He paused.
"Freaking out." Gwen turned on his grip, she slipped her right hand underneath his shirt and explored his chest while the other one cupped his cheek. "What's going on, Peter? Why do you ask yourself such painful questions?"
"I think...maybe I'm nothing but a vessel for Spider-Man to use, you know? Just that, and nothing else; it seems like I'm bound to keep fighting, because that's the thing I know best, but... I can't even wear the suit anymore, Gwendy, it brings bad memories about - everything and I can't deal with it."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "Where do you get such notions, Peter? Who told you this?"
"It was a dream, a very vivid one." He breathed heavily. "I'm screaming to myself, and no one can hear. Like - you almost feel ashamed...that someone could be that important that without them you feel like nothing, and to guarantee that I need to wear...I feel hopeless...like nothing can save me from it. And when it's over, and it's gone, you almost wish that you could have all that bad stuff back, so that you could have the good, because part of them made this, this present, Spider-Man... I don't know who I am anymore."
Gwen spoke gently, "Okay, first of all, you're no vessel, cursed or anything like that, you make your own choices." She replied softly. "Whatever that happened in your dream, what you heard, it wasn't real, there's Peter Parker and then there's Spider-Man, the other guy depends on you, not the contrary." She affirmed. "And we already talked about this; you're a strong willed man, Spider-Man is your reflection, everything you ever earned or will earn, it's because you deserve it."
He was about to say something, but ultimately, he hesitated.
Gwen continued gently, "And if you don't want to wear the suit for now, or not again, it's fine, honey, you already did enough; you deserve a rest after everything you went through...take your time."
"I...yeah, you're right; thank you - maybe it's the post stress which is driving me mad, I feel weak...pathetic for having such thoughts."
She removed his hands from his face and placed them around her, positioning one on her stomach. Then she cupped his cheek, forcing him to look into her eyes.
"You are not weak. You are not pathetic," She rubbed his cheek smoothly. "And truth be told I've been waiting for this moment to happen for a long while."
"Why?" He could only manage a hoarse whisper in reply.
"Because you've been bottling up all of this emotion, all of this feeling for so long. You've told me about your dreams but never the emotions behind them. I thought this was going to happen after the war." Gwen spoke softly. "But we haven't had free time like this for some time, when was the last time you weren't being pushed towards some goal or objective?"
He shrugged.
"Well I reckon it was when we're at England, nine years ago Peter," She rested her forehead against his own, still stroking his stubble. "Since then you've gone through the Six, Avenging, and now the war."
He nodded.
"This is natural, it's not a sign of weakness. Everything is catching up with you now because you aren't being forced towards something, and your mind is trying to process it all in one go," Gwen gave him a slow kiss on the lips, running one arm around his neck whilst placing the other on his hand that was still across her stomach. "But you can't do this alone, it's just too much. Let me in, trust me, I can help you if you let me."
"I tried before."
"And it helped didn't it?" He nodded his assent. "You can confide in me, we can talk - like we were doing before, we can spend time just like this – holding one another and being close. You're not alone on this; if it helps, you can make me some love to blow off some steam, okay?"
Peter's eyes shot upwards, locking with hers. It wasn't often that she talked like that, and he didn't like her implications. "I'm not going to use you like that, honey."
"Hey, I get awesome pleasure out of it so it isn't a problem," She gave him a grin which turned into a kind smile. "I just want to help."
"I know, it's just..." He dropped his head again. "Yeah, I need to do this, feeling well or not."
"These things don't just go away, they can come back when you least expect it." Gwen shifted slightly, leaning back into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her more tightly, bringing her as close to his body as he could.
"I'll try again," Peter still found himself speaking softly, but he meant what he said.
"You know, there's no shame in failing something the first time around," She turned her head, glancing up at him. "And it was you who taught me that."
Peter moved a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear, cupped her cheek and finally connected his lips with hers, kissing them affectionately, before finally deepening the kiss as his wife released a low moan.
Again, he couldn't wish for someone else on his life, someone that is always present for him when he needs most
Unexpectedly, a quick bolt triggered on Peter's mind, making him break the kiss and turn his head to the city without releasing Gwen's slim frame while searching for the call's source.
Gwen immediately understood what was going on. "If you want to go, then go." She said softly. "Or else, stay here with us, you're not responsible for everyone's mistakes, despite the gifts, you still are a human with emotions."
Peter gazed her deep green eyes, overcoming his fears and doubts. He slowly nodded, placed both hands on her cheeks and gently brought her closer, kissing her forehead, before releasing his wife and propelling himself over the balcony's edge. "Before I go, you remember father's will the bank had recovered?"
She nodded.
He continued, "They didn't simply find it, someone gave it to them, Harry."
Gwen widened her eyes in surprise. "What? But I...I thought he was dead." She said gently.
"Maybe he is, and this was just a bad joke, but if he isn't..." Peter paused.
"What will you do?" Gwen inquired.
Peter gulped. "I'll find him, I'll find my brother..." He turned to the building's direction. "Get some rest, okay?"
"Your suit?" Gwen crossed her arms, protecting her body against the wind.
"Not ready, but I have a side one." He leaned forward, disappearing in the air.
Telling herself that he would be okay despite not bringing the webshooters along, Gwen sighed and remained in silence, having countless thoughts about such possibility, and conflicted if finding Harry, if he was even alive, is something her husband should really go after.
New York - St. Patrick's Cathedral
Never thought I'd have to ever come here again.
Peter passed through the enormous church's gargoyles and walked inside the deserted bell's area which had it's own natural decoration such as spider's webs spread around and the common dust, a not very welcoming place, one that stood surprisingly intact during the brief war.
He scanned the place with his very eyes, and found the small fissure in the wall he was searching for. He punched the weak brick, revealing some space inside the wall and recovered a suitcase, his father's suitcase, the object that started everything.
After placing the briefcase on the dusty ground, Peter opened it and grabbed the black spandex, the chest set, and held it with both hands in front of him. It was a new model he had stashed in the church a few years ago just in case. Instead of being fully black and with no webbing like the original black suit that now belonged to Flash, it was similar to the classic red and blue suit but such colors were replaced with black while the raised webbing remained silver.
Last time he wore the real organic deal, he almost lost his mind and body to the symbiote, fortunately, the current suit didn't have any of those side effects, the only aspect that got preserved was how much intimidating it looked, at least for bad guys, and that's exactly what he wanted.
After the short time spent by getting inside of the super tight costume, Peter placed the mask over his shoulder and walked over one of the many gargoyles, gazing the entire cold and dark city.
On his left hand, the copy of his parent's will he had brought with him was being carefully held. He looked down, now holding the paper with both hands, and finally went to read what his parents had to say.
The last will of the deceased, Richard Parker. In the events of my death, I'm here to declare that all my possessions pass to my only son, Peter Benjamin Parker.
He gulped, personally facing his father's final words.
Peter, I ask you to honor our family's name, and commit yourself for the improvement of our beautiful city, it's institutions and it's citizens.
Feeling a bad situation occurring not far away from him, Peter stood still.
Please, be strong, you're young but destined to greatness, make the most of your opportunities, use your intelligence to achieve good things for you, and everyone.
Small puddles of water started to land on the paper, meaning it was about to rain.
Do not be frivolous with the quantity, do not waste it with outrageous clothes, don't use your gifts to invent silly or pointless creations, and don't pursue a destructive lifestyle.
Peter moved his eyes away from the will, taking deep breath before finally letting it go in the air. He checked both webshooter and turned them. He grabbed the mask from his shoulder, slowly moving the small piece of spandex down his head.
He took one step forward, standing in the gargoyle's edge. He opened his arms and leaned his torso forward, allowing the gravity do it's work by pushing him back to the ground.
Down in the streets, the shootout between robbers and cops was on full mode, both factions were located opposite to each other, cars were lying against the ground and in their doors, serving as covers for the robbers who were using the advantage that the city was still recovering from the latest chaotic event to strike high valuable installations spread across the city. Currently, their latest move wasn't that much successful since the police had cornered them and sent bullets in retaliation.
One particular masked robber who stood some meters away from his teammates lit a Molotov, but as he went to throw it, a huge shadow appeared in front of him, a very similar one.
My deepest regret is that I won't be able to see you grown to the good man I know you'll become, and finally my son, I ask you that you never give up, never cease to improve life.
He turned around just to see Spider-Man jump from the light pole and towards him. Before he could do anything, the hero flew over the robber and grabbed him from behind before even landing on the floor, and in a blink of an eye, he spun him around and threw the robber over his teammates.
Another one who stood next to a car pulled his pistol from his waist but he wasn't fast enough as Spider-Man quickly pressed his own arm against his neck and pushed him against the car. Spider-Man swung his right fist on the robber's clown mask and ripped it apart, stunning the man who lost his consciousness.
We only want you to be happy, succeed at school, find a job that you love, meet a person you can trust your deepest thoughts and build your own family with such person.
Spider-Man didn't have enough time to breath as a third enemy on his right flank tried to land his baseball bat over him while a fourth one from the opposite side swung his crowbar towards him at the same time. He quickly grabbed the baseball bat and immediately crouched, getting the fourth opponent to clumsily pass next to him. Using the brief leverage, Spider-Man jumped on the air and kicked the robber who held the bat, leaving him unconscious, and turned to block the previous attacker with his crowbar, before he could do anything with the weapon, Spider-Man grabbed his wrist, turned the crowbar towards the ground and then moved it between the space of his left arm and ribcage, now pressing it against his back, and shoved the attacker towards the car's door window, making the guy's head crash against it.
He noticed someone coming towards him on his left corner so he immediately turned, fired two weblines at the invader, before quickly pushing him closer and consecutively giving him a uppercut in form of a gift for his bad actions.
Spider-Man stood still, recovering his breath while seeing the now unconscious bandits lying on the cold and wet ground around him. He was about to leave if he hadn't heard an escaping robber accidentally stumbling against a trashcan as he entered the dark alley, leaving Spider-Man at the main venue, only for a few seconds before vanishing within the air.
In death, we'll love you forever. Your parents, Richard and Mary Parker.
The bandit ran towards the alleys' endless path, hoping to get in the other side or find a manhole which would led to the sewers, during the desperate marathon, he paused and retrived his phone with the objective of using it as a source of light. Feeling something unusual in the air around him, he raised his phone, exposing an entire network of webbing blocking his path, and Spider-Man standing on the middle of it, looking down to the ground.
Spider-Man slowly looked up, meeting the robber's scared eyes. "Howdy."
A/N: Hey everyone! Finally managed to wrap this chapter after a hell of a week, college doesn't have a break D:
Anyways, this chapter marks the end of the story's second act and some plot elements such as the Avengers, and yes, Peter is not part of them anymore, and like any post traumatic experience, he needs time to recover from everything. This chapter had some foreshadowings in some parts, and set up a potential sequel in the future. As for the dream, maybe it was indeed a bad dream, maybe not, I'll leave the judgment to you guys.
It's a fresh start, fresh one shots and characters. There won't be any major storylines until the storie's end run that will eventually wrap everything, until then, I want to write fun, energetic and passionate chapters, focusing on Peter's family, friends and beyond, starting with the next chapter which will raise the following question: what would happen if Peter Parker and Wade Wilson suddenly found themselves on a movie's set? Filming a crossover between two heroes in their new actor identities?
I thank everyone who worked with me, shared some ideas, reviewed the story and shared their support. If it wasn't for you guys, the story would've ended much earlier with it's original ending. Thanks for everything! Very special thanks to FireflySurvivor.