An Arachnids Adventure
Chapter 2 - Adolescence Now
Queens - New York
Two Years Later
"Peter! Come on down and help your uncle fix the TV!"
"Coming Aunt May!"
In a quiet suburb home in lower Queens, at the Parker residence. The voice of a certain boy named Peter responded to his elder's words with gumption, happy at the fact he could help his Uncle Ben.
"Arising from his position at his low to the floor desk, one he had already outgrown, upon which are many a page of notes, or perhaps scratch paper, scattered about and around an open textbook within which could be seen many a problem, equation or riddle. Ranging from long division and multiplication as well as fractions and decimal points. Looking towards the right side of the book, a paper used as a bookmark could be seen with mixed fractions and equivalent and inequivalent fractions with the poorly written words at the top reading:
"Come back to Later"
Peter, standing up now, looked to be quite tall for the age of five. Though, nowhere near as bad as the age to height gap as prior, at the age of three.
Peter, turned around and dashed to the doorway, turned the knob and was out the door racing down the hallway with haste trying not to let his Uncle down.
Halfway down the hall, Peter heard a:
[Ding Dong]
Hearing this, Peter slowed to a crawl, thoughts a-stirring in his head.
'I wonder if that's Aunt Anna or MJ!'
Thinking this Peter took the time to head to the bathroom, looking to make himself more 'presentable'. Just like his Uncle taught him how, having spent a few seconds in front of the mirror, Peter was startled to hear a sharp noise come from downstairs followed by a hushed whimpering,
[Crraaack]
Thinking something to be wrong with the TV, and how he was supposed to be down there fixing it, who knew, maybe the old Tube TV had fallen on its front and shattered along the floor. Peter rushed out the Bathroom and zipped down the stairs as fast as he could. Halfway down the stairs, looking directly at the front door, Peter saw a total of four people, two whom he recognized and two who he did not.
The first thing to catch his attention was his Aunt May, She, leaning face-first into and against his Uncle Ben, shivering and whimpering, what Peter could identify as her crying. Only this time was different, it wasn't the same kind of crying he would see his Aunt May do when she was watching her old movies, no this was heavier, sadder, much more difficult to watch her go through.
His Uncle Ben, someone who he never saw sad was shaking his head and clenching his fist so tight, it was turning white, more than likely doing his best to stay strong. Peter, seeing his precious people suffering so, grew angry, angry at the two people he didn't recognize, so angry he didn't notice the shattered dish and all its fragments scattered along the floor in front of the kitchen door.
Peter glared at the tall bald black man with an eyepatch covering his right eye, wearing an all-black outfit, holding in his hands a box with a clear lid, in the box could be seen red, white and blue colors, after getting a good look Peter recognized it to be an American flag, the same kind that was hung up in the corner of his kindergarten classroom. The man, looking down and speaking to his Aunt and Uncle, Peter in his anger, was unable to make out the words.
Peter looked towards the other person at the door, a girl, quite a pretty one at that. Fairly tall with dark brown hair covering her eyes. Peter looked harder to try and get a better look at her, finally noticing some abnormalities; a few bruises on her face and the fact that she was looking down at the ground without the slightest intention of looking up, biting her lips harshly, almost looking to draw blood. The most obvious aspect would be the fact that she was wearing a sling over her shoulder, one that held her arm in a locked, bent position, alluding to a possible broken arm.
Peter, lost in the moment called out. "Hey, who are you people! What are you doing to Aunt May!"
Peters words immediately drew attention to himself, causing an abrupt change in the living room. May hearing Peter's voice quickly stood straight and turned to wipe away her tears without Peter noticing. Ben unclenched his fist and let loose a sigh he didn't know he was holding back.
The two people at the door looked towards the source of the voice and laid their eyes upon a young boy storming down the stairs. Peter finally getting a good look at both of their faces, noticed the tall black man's gaze towards himself, Peter felt a strange sense of pressure begin to press down on him, only to lighten up immediately afterward as a gentle yet stern gleam came into the man's eyes. Looking towards the woman's eyes, Peter was shocked to find her glistening orbs red, looking as if she had recently cried. Seeing this, most of Peter's 'hot air' immediately deflated and Peter was now even more confused than before. Coming to his pseudo parents' side, he asked.
"Aunt May, Uncle Ben, what's going on?"
"Peter...Peter,the-these people…" Unable to finish her sentence May began to sob even further.
Ben seeing this took a deep breath, and opened his mouth to say. "Peter, these two are people your parent's worked with, your parent's co-workers...Do you remember when I taught you that word?"
"Oh! you mean like you and Mr. Brock?... Wait, these two work with Mom and Dad! Does that mean mom and dad are coming home!? It's been almost two months since we got a letter from Mom or Dad."
Asked a jubilant Peter, about ready to start hopping around the house. Right before remembering the sad look on his Aunt May's face.
"...No, peter….they- these people are here to-" Before Ben could finish.
"If I may...Mr. Parker?"Interrupted, the tall African American man.
Ben hearing this put on a scowl and said. "Please do, after all, you look rather well acquainted with this process."
Nick putting on a neutral expression, replied. "Unfortunately, yes...yes I am."
Fury turned towards Peter and walked towards him, box in hand, fully ignoring Ben's disturbed expression. When finally in front of him, Fury got down on one knee and pushed the box into Peter's hands, seeing him grab the box, Fury finally looked Peter in the eyes.
"Peter Parker, right?"
"Yes sir, that's me. Sir, why did you hand me this box?" Asked the ever-curious Peter.
"Because, that box is rightfully yours now. Peter, I want to tell you something, it won't be easy to hear...are you alright with that?"
"...Alright."
"Peter before I tell you what I have to, I want you to know that your parents were heroes." Fury implored, in the hopes that Peter would never doubt that truth.
"I know that, they're out there fighting the bad guys, that's what Uncle Ben told me." Fury, hearing this looked towards Ben and nodded.
Fury turned his attention back towards Peter and sought to continue his all too familiar explanation. "Yes, they fought bad guys almost every day, they helped save many, many lives. My own and Miss Hill's over there, as well's."
"Really? That's so cool!" Light's lit up in a flurry, in the young boy's eyes.
"Yes, Peter, yes it is."
"So where are they? Why aren't they here as well?"
Fury, taking a few moments to gather himself, uttered in one breath. "...Peter, your Parent's...they aren't coming home."
"...what...why…" Peter's previous jubilation completely faded out, leaving a tiny shell of a child, standing there, slowly beginning to shake in the cold air that was floating through the still open door.
"Peter, your parents, are known as what's called, M.I.A. Do you know what that means?"
Peter, hearing this, shook his head slowly.
"Peter, M.I.A, is a shorter way of saying something, Peter, I'm sure you know how the country we live in is called the United States of America, right? But you also have probably heard it called the U.S.A or just the U.S, Right"
"Yeah...that's called an acronym, right? Aunt May taught me that word recently. Like N.A.S.A, right?"
Fury hearing this was slightly stunned, not expecting this young child in front of him to know much on such subjects. Regardless, Fury nodded his head and said. "Yes, Peter that is correct. M.I.A is an acronym for the words Missing In Action, do you know what that means?"
" No, sir, I don't but what does this have to do with my mom and dad?"
"Peter, the words missing in action, mean that Richard and Mary, your parents, have gone missing…they were sent out working two months ago and they haven't contacted us back yet. After the first week of no contact with your parents, we sent other 'workers' to go and find them, Miss Hill behind me is one of the people I sent out to find your parent's."
Peter, hearing this looked back at the injured woman still standing in the doorway of his home, Miss Hill looked down, she almost seemed afraid to look Peter in the eyes. Peter's eyes scanned her figure once more seeing her current state and letting that sink in for a moment, thought to himself; 'If she's this hurt...then what could have happened to my...my parents.' Peter, after letting his errant thoughts roam, then proceeded to look at Fury once more and asked.
"...Why is she so hurt..?"
Fury hearing this, had no reaction, seemingly glancing over Peter's question as if it was never asked.
"… it's been two months with no response….It would normally only take us two weeks to report a soldier missing."
"...what does that mean."
"..I'm sorry Peter, but we have reason to believe….your parents have passed away."
"..."
"..."
"..."
After hearing the fact that his Parent's might be dead, every single thing surrounding Peter turned grey….every color, every sound drowned out by the white static noise coming from the broken TV further in the living room, until suddenly.
[Snap]
Peter heard, a loud and piercing snapping noise as if a taut steel wire had snapped in twain, leaving a sharp, echoing noise ringing in Peter's very ears.
Peter looked around to try and see if anyone else had heard what he had. Only to notice Ben in front of the Tall Eyepatched man speaking fairly loudly, seeming to question him, on what Peter couldn't tell; all Peter could hear, was faded and mumbled echoes, speaking back and forth.
Eventually, Peter felt something touch his shoulders, looking up from the ground Peter saw May looking at him concernedly, calling out to him, though Peter could not tell what it was she was saying.
It eventually grew to be too much, Peter, throwing the box in his arms to the floor, ran out of the open doorway through the gap between Fury and Agent Hill. Too quick and too abruptly to be stopped.
A Few Minutes Earlier
Across the street, a little redhead could be seen peeking through a large living room window of a home directly across from the Parker residence.
Calling out to her Aunt, MJ yelled out. "Aunty Anna, Aunty Anna! Come quick, something's going on at Peters!"
Anna hearing her nieces cries, had a wry smile come across her face. "Oh, what's going on MJ?"
"There's a big long black car out front, and two people standing in front of their place!"
Anna hearing this put on a concerned expression and finally walked to the window, now standing beside MJ. After a few moments, Anna exclaimed.
"Oh no...That poor boy…"
Anna, naturally being taller than her precocious niece, could see the box and its contents, in the currently sideways standing, looking at Hill, Fury's hands. Knowing that Peters parents worked for the government, due to May's words. As well as knowing the meaning behind having an American flag hand-delivered to a service families door.
"What's the matter, Aunty Anna, what's wrong with Peter?"
"Sigh, MJ, just know that the next time you see him, be extra nice to him okay? If this is what I think it is, he'll be needing a friend, a really good one."
"...Okay?" MJ replied curiously.
"Alright dear, let's go sit down and have lunch, alright?" Not paying MJ's curiosity any mind, Anna turned to continue her earlier actions.
"Ok...wait? Aunty Anna, Peter, he's running out the house!"
"What?" Exclaimed a concerned Anna. Seeing that MJ spoke the truth, Anna told MJ.
"MJ, go and get your shoes and a jacket! We're going to help the Parkers look for Peter!"
MJ, hearing this immediately dashed off as quick as her little feet could take her. Thinking to herself: 'Peter! Peter! I gotta help him!'
In the Astral Plane
In a far off expanse of black space, a large golden Nebulous body of energy could be seen. If one were to get close enough to this massive and ever-growing body of energy, one would see large and grotesque "Arachnid" looking creatures roaming along its bodies length. If one were to approach even further, one would notice the mass of lights body was formed of large and small "threads" forming an intricate "web" of sorts.
if one were to follow this webs spiral-shaped design all the way to its center, one would eventually see a large and green glowing "Arachnid" creature, far different from any of the creatures found in the surrounding web. Much larger and different looking compared to those grotesque "Arachnids" of earlier, this large and green glowing "Arachnid" was composed of a much softer and natural-looking material. Looking to be a mass of warm light or energy.
This "Arachnid" could be seen standing over the very center of the large and Golden and Iridescent "web". In the center of the web could be seen a large mass of pure golden light, at the core of this golden light existed a small cocoon of threads.
Suddenly catching the attention of the large Green "Arachnid" was a loud snapping noise that vibrated the strange "Web". The "Arachnid" hearing this looked towards the bundle of light in the center of the "Web". Looking so, the "Arachnid" could see a movement in the "thread" cocoon surrounding the core of the aforementioned mass of light surrounding the center of the "Web".
The Cocoon, once tight and containing the "core" centers light, now looked loose and slightly unraveled. Seeing this the "Arachnid" screeched out, a noise somewhat incompatible, compared to its majestic and gentle looking nature.
"Brothers! Sister, Gather!"
Not a few seconds later, tears in space and temporal matter soon formed in four directions surrounding the large green "Arachnid". Soon from out of these rips in space came four large "Arachnids".
"Sister, what is wrong? Why Have you called for us so urgently?" Spoke a large golden and violet rune engraved Spider.
"Hush, let Sister Weaver speak. Honestly, Keeper, learn to keep that mouth of yours shut." Berated a black and white Widow.
"Sister Bride, must you always be so callus to Brother Keeper?" Spoke the smallest of the giants.
"Scion, never involve yourself in those two's matters." Warned the largest of the group.
"Brother Other, don't tell me you believe Brides harping?" Complained, the golden and violet "Arachnid".
"Enough!"
Before the Other could respond to the Keepers question, the Weaver yelled out, surprising her siblings with her action.
The others now noticing the gravity of the matter, after all, for their always gentle Sister to yell at them was far too out of the norm to be acceptable behavior on her behalf.
"Bride, Scion, Other, prepare yourselves! We may have to intervene on the 'Champions' behalf. I'm not sure of what's happening but the first of the three tethers of protection I granted unto him has already broken. Not only that but I can feel a great change on the horizon for our 'Champion', something large is in play, something large enough to distort the webs readings. I not only cannot read his fate, but I also can't read any of the fates of those surrounding him within a great distance. It's as if another totem is tampering with the webs readings of him."
The 'Other' hearing this, was quick to report to his Sister.
"All other totems, friendly and hostile have been identified and located in other locations. I would know if they had approached the 'Champion'."
"...That can only mean...that another source of natural power has approached the 'Champion'." The other four, hearing their sisters assessment, turned quiet.
The "Bride" gathered herself quicker than her brothers and questioned her sister. "...Another source?"
"Mmm, it could be one of the mortal raised divinities, such as the Asgardians, or a Primordial stone of power...after all, I have read that sometime in the future our 'Champion' will have some sort of connection to the two aforementioned powers...or the worst-case scenario...some cosmic force has located our champion, whether or not that cosmic force is of the Just or Malevolent sides, however, is yet to be seen. It could also be among the neutral or more chaotic of the cosmic forces. "
Once more the group of four were silent, thinking upon their Sisters words. Seeing as she spoke so much of the Cosmic powers, they believed her to be more of a believer of that possibility at the moment.
The smallest and most solid of color of the five, spoke up at this point. "We can fight one...can't we? A cosmic power, I mean."
"...Maybe at our prime, if we were to all join forces and manipulate the web to ensnare the cosmic force...but as we are now...the only way we could stand a chance is if Brother Other were to renounce his new name, and Re-adopt his former title. The 'Titan'. That's the only way we could stand a chance…" The Weaver solemnly uttered.
The Scion hearing this looked up towards his largest brother and said. "No way... then what will we do?"
"Prepare, prepare for a hard-fought battle, Our goal, not to harm the cosmic force, or whatever might come our way, but to lead it away from the champion...should they be hostile. If whatever it is isn't hostile to the 'Champion'...then we let it be."
The other four still silent looked toward each other.
"Am I clear?" Asked the Weaver.
"Mmm" Murmured the Other.
"Yes, Sister." Answered the Bride.
"..but of course" Sighed the Keeper.
"I'm with you, Sister." Answered the Scion.
"Then, let us wait."
In the Upper End of the Suburbs of Queens
A boy could be seen running, running and running on by, his surrounding passing by in a blur. If anyone were to see this child streaking by, their first reaction would be bewilderment soon followed by second-guessing their eyesight. Bewilderment, because of the sheer speed this child was moving at, such a speed would normally be impossible for a child this small. Their doubt in their eyesight stemming from the fact that this boy seemed to be irradiating a slight golden hue.
After a few many blocks crossing street after street, Peter finally came to a stop, no longer glowing a light golden hue, huffing and puffing Peter looked around at his new and unfamiliar surroundings, Peter found himself at the underside of a deserted overpass of a highway.
Peter now remembering why he was here, felt his eyes begin to sting and his nose begin to drip. Peter, seeing no one in his immediate surroundings walked over to one of the pillars of the overpass and sat down on a laid-out piece of dirty cardboard and began to ball his eyes out. Peter, not in the right state of mind, did not think as to why there was a piece of cardboard laid out here in such a deserted place.
Minutes later Peter heard footsteps approaching his direction, too in his emotions to care Peter paid no mind to this new approaching figure.
Noticing the stepping noises stopping abruptly, Peter looked up and saw a figure not more than ten steps away from him. Upon further investigation, Peter noticed that the figure in front of him didn't seem all that big to his eyes.
Peter hurriedly wiped his blurry vision away with his sleeves, his tears coming away gave a clear view of a little girl staring at him strangely.
Peter seeing this girl immediately thought of MJ, only after staring a few seconds longer did he notice that while the girl in front of him did share a few similar traits to his 'friend' MJ, She was also different in just as many ways as she was similar. For instance this little girl in front of him did indeed have red hair, however, if MJ's hair could be said to be a crimson-ish color than this girls' in front of him could be said to be a flaming red, similar in nature to a flame, a reddish-orange.
Another similar point of contrast would have to be their eyes, while both were shades of green they as different as the stars and the moon, both gave off light yet they were so monumentally different. If MJ's were a polished Jade green, this girls' orbs were like a raw Emerald shining in the light.
One thing however that these two girls were as different as night and day in, was height and body build. If MJ was slightly short and pudgy due to baby fat, this girl was tall, around Peter's height, with a slim body, almost appearing to be unhealthily so.
Peter, finally having gathered himself, asked the girl sounding somewhat stuffed up from his recent crying session.
"Hello?"
"..."
"Um...Hello? Am I-uh bothering you?"
"...My...home.." Whispered the girl, shyly.
Peter, hearing this, went quiet, confused as to the girls meaning.
"I'm sorry? I don't understand?"
"...you're sitting, in my home."
Peter, hearing this, looked down shocked, seeing the cardboard once again, Peter asked the girl bewildered.
"This, uh-this piece of cardboard is your home?"
The girl nodded curtly.
"I-i'm sorry, I didn't know." Peter said as he raised up from the floor. After standing up Peter got a good look at the girl once more, finally noticing her current get up. An oversized coat with scuffed up jeans with slight tears here and there from within them. Through the rips, Peter could see a fabric or cloth through them, similar to the long johns his Uncle wears on cold days. The girls face while somewhat clean, looked fatigued, still too young for dark circles under her eyes, had red, irritated patches of skin under her eyes, looking as if she recently just got done crying. Though if Peter could see his face right now, he wouldn't be so quick to judge.
"Um, do-do you mind if I stay here for a while?" Peter said in a hesitant manner, in hopes of not upsetting the seemingly older girl any more than he may have already had.
The girl looked at Peter once more, probably noticing the red area's on his face or the sweat and now dirt-covered clothes on his body, took a few seconds to think before nodding her head in agreement, acquiescing.
Peter, seeing this, moved over to the side of the pillar and sat down once more, only this time on the cold concrete. Feeling its chill Peter began to miss home and began to regret his decision to run out.
After a few moments of silence between the two, the girl spoke once more. "...you can sit over here... I know it's cold over there."
Peter, hearing this took a few moments and decided to join the girl. "...thank you."
"Mmm"
"..."
"..."
"..."
After a few moments of silence, Peter decided to be a busybody.
"...so why are you out here?"
"..." The girl looked at him with a glare that just screamed 'Why are you here?'.
"I'm sorry...I was just curious." Peter edged away slightly.
"It's...been a few weeks…" The redhead finally decided to let dogs lie and to open up a bit, to the first person who had even bothered talking to her in a few weeks.
"..." Peter kept quiet seeking a continuation.
"..."
After seeing that she had no intention of continuing, Peter piped up once more. "You didn't tell me why though?"
The girl seeing his persistence looked away, brought up her knee's and leaned on the practically freezing pillar, waited a few moments seemingly struggling for words then buried her face into her knees and spoke up. "I...I did something...something bad. So I ran away..."
"Do...do you have parents back home, a family?" Peter asked in shock.
"...mmm"
Peter couldn't see her face but by her choked up voice, he could assume she was fighting back tears as she answered. Peter let a few moments pass before deciding to dig deeper, no longer for his sake...but for the girl in front of him. Somehow he knew, he knew that if he didn't dig deeper, he would regret it, some part of him was screaming to go further, to do his best to help this girl. "...don't you think they'd miss you?"
The girl hearing this put her head down even further for a few moments before finally shaking it.
"I-I see."
"...they probably think I'm a monster."
"...What did you...do?" Peter tripped on his words whether due to the freezing weather or his hesitation to push this little girl too far. He had seen too many of his Aunt May's horrible soap operas to know that if he asked too many questions, she might end up running away...though he didn't know why just yet, he did know that it was possible.
"...Something horrible." The little girl curled even further into herself.
"..then why are you telling me this?" Peter asked, hoping to trick her into something, an honest answer hopefully.
The redhead hearing this looked at Peter and said. "...I can tell you mean well."
"What do you mean? You don't know that for sure?" Peter said in mock fear and skepticism.
"...I do...I-I just know things." The redhead looked away again
Peter looking at the girl once again, asked."Things...what kind of things?"
"...You'll probably think I'm crazy, or a monster if I tell you." The girl replied, her voice harder than before.
"...If you really 'know things', then you'll know that's not true." Peter finished in an as hopeful tone as he could.
The girl looked towards Peter for a few seconds before giving him a strange look, then she looked back down at the ground.
"..I can tell what people around me are thinking about, and I can share their feelings...it's almost like I can see peoples thoughts and feel how they are feeling."
"Wha...no way!" Peter uttered in true shock this time around.
"...I can tell what you're feeling right now...I can tell why you're feeling that way too..I'm sorry about your parents…" The redhead said in the gentlest tone she had managed yet.
Peter hearing this felt conflicted at the moment. Angry that his feelings had been so clearly read, amazed that this girl he just met could do what she said she could.
The girl feeling his anger put on a saddened yet knowing expression.
"I told you, everyone who hears about my...abilities...reacts the same. No one likes having their mind read…"
"I don't think you're crazy and I don't think your a monster...it's true, having my thoughts read aloud like that hurt...but that's' only because I'm not ready to accept them yet…" Peter muttered under his breath.
The girl hearing his words and reading his mind, knew them to be true.
"What's your name?" Peter asked.
"...Jean...Jean Grey."
"My names-"
"Peter Parker.." The little redhead interrupted.
"..." Peter gaped in silence.
"..I'm sorry." Jean turned away again, expecting anger and violence to pour her way.
"It's ok, Jean, can you tell what I'm thinking right now?" Peter seeing her react that way felt something akin to camaraderie burst to life in his chest, being the strange or odd one out was a really familiar feeling for the young boy. Being the smartest kid in class got him a lot of teacher attention, further alienating him from his classmates, heck, even his schoolmates. Thus, saying something then expecting some sort of retribution later was practically the norm for Peter.
"?"
"What's the matter?"
"...why..why would you want that…" Stated Jean, eyes red seeming to cry at any moment.
"You know that, don't you?"
"..."
"Then let me say it out aloud, Jean Grey, will you be my friend? After all, I think your Powers are super cool!"
Jean hearing this looked Peter in the eyes before bawling out. "..you..what do you know...If you knew..really knew how scary my powers are...how I can't control them-"
Cutting Jean off, Peter said. "Then learn."
"Wha-"
"I said then learn, Every single person in this world wasn't born a perfect walker or a perfect talker. No, these are skills learned, learned through hard practice, every day."
"But...but my powers are dang-"
"So is walking, if a person trips and falls and hits their head, they could die. If a person talks too fast they could bite their tongue & they could bleed to death, did you know that? The tongue is the largest muscle in the body, as the largest muscle, it has a bunch of blood flowing through it. One mispronounced word and a snap of your jaws can up and kill yourself. Scary to think about, huh? I learned all this from my Aunt. She's never taught me anything wrong, I'm pretty sure she wants me to be a doctor in the future."
"But my powers are dangerous to not just me but other people too-"
Not letting Jean try and go back to her negative mindset, Peter interrupted her once more. "Then isn't that even more of a reason to learn how to use them?"
Jean, looking down to the ground, thought to herself.
'Could Peter be right?'
"Jean...this world is full of scary things...to want to run away from them is normal...just look at me..here instead of with my family...Hey Jean, I'm going to tell you something my Uncle says a lot. 'With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility' He says that a lot when he wants me to do something I don't really want to do, do you know why?"
"Why?" Even though Jean knew she still wanted to hear it come from Peter.
"Because I have the power, the strength to do it, and that's why it's my responsibility to do it."
"..."
Before the Two could continue their conversation, they heard a voice come from afar, yet sound very close at the same time. The voice sounded a bit old but kind at the same time, it reminded Peter of his schools Principal.
"He's right, Jean, you know that, don't you?"
The two hearing this voice looked around but saw no one.
"Calm down you two, you won't be able to see us, not yet at least. My partner and I are still a bit of a ways away, you two should be able to see us in about a minutes time. Look towards the walkway near the brick building towards your left, that's where you'll see us."
Peter and Jean looked towards each other and asked at the same time.
" "Did you hear that?" "
The two, hearing the others question already knew the answer. The two looked to the left and awaited their greeter. Peter instinctively stood in front of Jean.
Jean noticing Peters action and knowing it was an un-thought of one, felt a little warmth creep in her chest, unaware of its meaning left Jean feeling confused.
About a minute later Peter and Jean could see a pair of people approaching from the priorly said direction, approaching instead of walking, the reason being, only one of them stood on her feet and walked, the other was being pushed along by the former in a wheelchair of sorts, its appearance very futuristic looking.
A dark tan-skinned woman, some would define her skin tone as mocha, with Bright white shoulder-length hair wearing a formal top-down woman's suit with a slim, body tight, black trench coat draped over her shoulders, only half-buttoned up. Was walking the pairs way. Her heels a-click, a-clacked away on the sidewalk, giving away her presence even before Peter and Jean could see her. A stern expression could be seen on her face, although it seemed to be her natural expression.
The man she was pushing, however, held a perennial smile on his face, his head bald as baby's bottom, a few wrinkles could be seen on his brow. The man was wearing a gray suit with a blue tie and could be seen smiling at the pair awaiting the two strangers arrival.
Peter, taking the initiative to step forward and ask, said.
"Who are you two?"
"Hello Peter, my name is Charles Xavier, it's nice to meet you."
Peter, hearing this man automatically knowing his name before announcing his own, put Peter on guard, while also reminding Peter of Jean's trick a few minutes ago.
"How do you know my name? What do you want with the two of us?"
"I'm sorry Peter, but I did not come here to speak with you. However, I am grateful for the words you have said to Miss Jean, behind you."
Jean hearing these words hid even further behind Peter, instinctively.
"Be at ease children, we have not come here to harm you," Softly spoke the Mocha skinned woman. Her voice an incredible contrast to her stern appearance.
"Ah, do forgive my manners, I've almost forgotten to introduce my Partner. Children, Meet Miss Ororo Munroe, or as I like to call her 'Storm'."
"You two still haven't explained what you want!" Shouted the perplexed Peter.
"Yes, do forgive me, Peter, I've gotten a bit off track. Essentially we're here on behalf of Miss Grey's parents, we were assigned to locate Miss Grey and report back to her home."
Jean, hearing this, had her eyes widened and shook her head in denial.
"That's impossible! There's no way they would have sent anyone after me, they wanted me gone!"
"Sigh, I figured something like this would happen, Miss Grey, your parents are normal people, of course, they would have some aversion to the abnormal, however, that doesn't change their feelings towards you, their daughter."
Peter, hearing this, relaxed some and asked. "So you guys are cops or something, right?"
"No Mr. Parker, we aren't." Charles explained, knowing his answer would only confuse the children even more, yet knew that the truth would come out either way, thus, spoke it in the hopes of moving things along as quickly as possible, in the hopes of getting the children to safety as soon as possible. After all, the sooner Miss Grey was safe in their hands, the further Erik and his so-called 'Brotherhood' would be to gaining another amazingly talented member, and another youth, tainted and indoctrinated to his cause...Magnetos cause.
Peter hearing that answer was put off immediately and was once again put back on guard. "Then who are you two?"
"Allow me to introduce myself once more, my name is Charles Xavier, headmaster of the 'Xavier Institute for Gifted Individuals'. After Miss Greys Parents 'learned' of her abilities they looked for those more...well equipped to help her deal with them. Eventually, they reached out to us, when we heard of the situation we decided to take action immediately"
'Profesor should you be telling 'him' all of this?' Ororo thought to Charles.
'It's fine, Ororo.' In her head she heard Xavier say;
'I'll just wipe the slate clean before we leave, I don't like doing this but if we want Jean to come with us as quickly as possible we'll have to make use of Mr. Parker.'
Ororo hearing this felt her stomach turn, thinking ill of this method of getting things done, but if this 'Jean Grey' is as dangerous as the Professor thinks she is, then it would be a worthy sacrifice to get her off the streets and back at the school where she can learn how to control her powers.
"Miss Grey, I'll contact your parents immediately so you can verify their words."
Not giving Jean or Peter a chance to respond, Charles reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an early age flip phone, otherwise known as a 'Motorola StarTAC'. Quickly dialing a number Jean recognized as her home phone number, Charles spoke.
"Yes, is this Miss Grey, yes, yes we've managed to locate little miss Jean, yes that's correct. However, the young miss Jean is showing some understandable skepticism, if you would be so kind as to reassure her that we mean no ill will, it would mean a great deal, I'm sure of it." Charles turned to Jean and said. "Miss Jean, your mother would like to speak to you."
"Stay right there!" Peter yelled.
"I'll come for the phone, you two don't get any closer." Peter having been warned many times about 'Stranger Danger' by his Aunt, knew better than to trust any random person, especially those with weird abilities like speaking right into your mind.
Before Peter could take a step however, the Cell Phone began floating out of Charles' hand and flew into Jeans, shocking the living daylights out of Peter. As advanced as Peters mind was for his age, somethings just couldn't be accepted right away. Like seeing something float out of someone's hand then flying past you into someone else hand, for instance.
Jean, holding the phone grew anxious, holding it up to her ear and not saying anything for a while, hearing her mother's anxious voice calling out for her, asking if she was alright. Jean finally answered with a sob.
"...Mommy."
Peter, seeing this situation, saw that things were on the up and up and finally let loose a breath and relaxed his little shoulders.
A few minutes passed, Jean's facial expression changed a few times while she was on the phone with her mother, a crying face, a tortured expression, dread filling her face for a while, soon followed with acceptance, from there, apprehension and then finally a smile as she bid her mother goodbye and told her she loved her.
Peter seeing this had a relaxed expression come onto his face, knowing that things had worked out for this new friend of his.
The cell phone in Jean's hand soon floated and returned to its owner.
Charles and Ororo seeing that all was well let loose a few smiles of their own. Glad that Jean could have what so many other Mutants couldn't, a relationship with their family.
"Miss Grey, are you ready?"
"...can I have a few moments with Peter?"
"I'm sorry but your mother probably explained things to you, didn't she? If we're going to get going then it's best to get on the road as quickly as possible." Replied Charles.
Jean looked towards Peter, saw him smiling at her and read his mind and saw.
'If you have to go, it's ok. I'm happy things worked out for you. You'll always be my friend, Jean Grey, regardless of what may come in the future.'
Jean hearing this made up her mind, right then and there.
"!"
Jean leaned forward and pecked Peter on his lips.
A red-faced Peter stared and a fully crimson Jean, and asked. "What was that for?"
Jean hearing this snorted and walked off, leaving Peter hanging.
For a few seconds, Peter thought he would never get an answer to his question before he heard Jean's voice ring in his head.
'That was for being you, Peter. Oh, also you keep thinking we're the same age, I'm actually seven. Hmph, honestly, making a girl two years older than you, like you. It seems I'll have my work cut out for me in the future.'
Ororo seeing this smiled once more and then looked at Charles to see if he would still keep on his decision.
"Ororo, would you please show Miss Grey to the vehicle'?"
Ororo hearing this sighed and walked a red-faced Jean away.
"Mr. Parker, I really must thank you for your aid in this manner."
"I didn't really do anything though?"
"Oh, but you did, if you weren't here I have no doubt in my mind that persuading Miss Grey would have been much more difficult. She might not have even let me call her mother."
"I don't really think so, but if you say so."
Charles seeing Peter remain so honest and clear hearted throughout all this felt very guilty about what he was about to do.
"Forgive me Mr. Parker, but I'll have you forget about all that happened today."
"….What?" Peter called out in confusion, feeling a tickling feeling dig at the back of his head.
"Hhmm?" Charles, seeing his psychic impulse have no impact, felt bewildered. Charles put his finger to his temple to focus his power and tried to finish the job.
"Forgive me Mr. Parker, but I'll have you forget about all that happened today."
"Mr. Xavier? What are you doing?" Peter's confusion and at this point caution, began to build up, wondering if he let Jean leave with a bunch of "bad" people.
Charles seeing his second more focused attempt be rebuffed felt even more incredulous, this..this was so strange. Charles in his curiosity decided to dive into Peters mental depths to see what exactly was blocking his attempts to psychically implant upon Peters memories.
The moment Charles dove into Peters cerebral consciousness, he felt a pressure so monumentous, it felt as if the very earth's weight fell upon him. In his delirium he fell from his wheelchair, looking up at Peter he noticed his eyes were now a solid gold; his pupil, sclera, all of it was pure solid gold. Peter was looking at him with a slight tilt in his head and neck, looking down upon him as if he were prey, a new meal, a moment after making eye contact with Peter, Charles noticed a total of five shades behind Peter. All outlined in black with golden aura's surrounding them. The second-largest in the center of the five now looking down at Charles with a dead stare.
[Who Dares Touch Our Champion?]
This message imprinted deep into Charles psyche, ringing out in an imperious fashion.
Charles immediately left Peters Psyche as quickly as possible. The moment he left, Peter fell over onto his back, as for Charles, he immediately began to spit up profuse amounts of blood. Turning an even paler shade of white.
After regaining himself Charles looked at Peter in horror, the moment he did so, he felt a familiar sensation of pressure begin to build on him, almost as if the shades glares were back upon himself.
Hurriedly looking away from Peter, Charles's hand crawled back onto his automatic wheelchair not bothering to clear away the spat up blood on himself. After readjusting himself Charles began his escape from the area. Not caring to touch Peter or his memories again.
In the Astral Realm
"Prepare your selves, siblings, it was in the end, a cosmic force, it's sent a shade of itself to come our way, more than likely to investigate matters."
"You mean that pest, from earlier wasn't the disturbance?" Asked Scion.
"No, such a minor creature would hold no sway over the 'Webs' influence."
"What shall we do sister?" Asked the Bride.
"Stand strong, stand united." Responded the Keeper.
"Brother Keeper speaks true." Answered the Weaver.
"Sister Weaver, it is almost here...and I recognize it, its aura, this heat...it can no doubt, only be one, a neutral Chaotic force of nature." Rumbled the Other.
"Mmm, I feel it as well, everyone, prepare yourselves."
[Squaaaak]
Before another word could be exchanged between the sibling arachnid's, a heaven screeching birds cry resounded, shaking the Web of Fates very foundations, this was soon followed by a terrible wave of heat, some of the lower-tiered "arachnids' were immediately roasted to a crisp.
"Halt!" Cried out the Weaver.
"You lesser creature, dare to order me?!"
"We would think nothing of it, Milady." called out the Keeper.
"Then why have you stopped mine path!"
"Such an action was not intentional, but yet it remains that we, the Weaver and Protectors of Destiny have lain here for Millennia upon Millennia. Here is where we have spun the Web of Destiny and it is where it is set. If milady were to continue on her path she would unravel the very threads of the universe itself." Responded the Weaver, much more patient than earlier.
"Hmph, you spiders are the protectors of that mortal, who has met my present host."
"That we are." Grumbled the Other.
The giant mass of flame incarnate stopped for but a moment to inspect the owner of this new voice. "Oh, a failed god...here? Wait…you are no failed god...no, you...you are an incomplete divinity. Speak? Why would you abandon your former path, so close to success." The large Bird of prey cocked it's head to the side and squinted its eyes, in mock curiosity. Looking to be both curious as well as disdainful.
The Other hearing this gave no answer for a long time, silence reigned for more than 5 minutes, the Flaming bird gave no chance to continue on to another topic, remaining stoic and quiet.
The Other finally saw fit to speak. "To continue on that path, I would have to give up too large a price, One I was not willing to pay."
"...I see, how foolish." All curiosity once present in the raptor of the skies faded into oblivion, leaving nothing more than disdain.
"..." The other knowing better than to argue against a force of pure chaos, kept quiet regardless of the disquiet it felt within.
"From henceforth you lot are not to interfere in any interactions between my host and the boy."
"Milady if you woul-"
"I know not why you protect him, nor do I care, know this, as long as he presents no harm to mine host or to me, he will receive no ill treatment from me."
Before the five could speak up, the flaming bird had disappeared, Its heat still lingering on the web.
"...So that's what a cosmic force feels like...so scary.." Whimpered the Scion, not noticing himself halfway hidden underneath his Brother Other.
"It's been a long, long time since an entity came to our web...Sister, what are you doing?" Exclaimed the still slightly shivering Bride.
"Keeper, Can it's words be believed?" Questioned the Other, towards the Keeper.
"...most Cosmic entities have been known to keep their words...even those of despicable origins. Besides I now know that the force present around the 'Champion' to be the host of the 'Phoenix Force', this host more than likely hasn't even awoken, otherwise, even the Phoenix wouldn't be able to split its mind force across this large a distance without taking the hosts form."
After finishing his response, the Keeper looked towards the Weaver as well. Noticing her strange stance over the web's center, seemingly murmuring in a hypnotic stance.
"...the web has returned to normalcy, I was reading up on what happened to the 'Champion' till recently."
"And what has happened Sister?" Asked a curious Bride.
"..much, however, be at ease, it seems all is well, right at the moment. With regard to the First Tether of Protection which broke earlier, it seems to have been self-inflicted, The 'Champion' has just received some particularly harsh news, this led to a loosening of the threads...that and the Phoenix's nearby presence was the last bit of weight upon it, causing it to snap."
"...and what of the Phoenix's host?" The Keeper questioned.
"...quite a peculiar meeting, to say the least...but at the very least she means the 'Champion' no harm." The Weaver responded.
"Sigh, I see, then it seems Sister no longer has any use of us." Replied the Keeper.
"...Yes, it seems we no longer have any purpose here, you all may return to your duties. Do forgive your Sister, for calling you all so urgently." Not watching to notice whether the other four left or not the Weaver returned to her position in the web's center. Looking down at the newly loose cacoon, she spoke.
"Soon child, soon you shall see our care for you...until then please be at ease...and know that you are not alone, not now, not ever."
At the underside of the Overpass
Peter could be seen, lying on his back on the cold concrete floor. A large blood spot could be seen not even three feet away from his position.
Minutes passed by with no passers-by coming, until suddenly a rushed and rapid series of footsteps could be heard echoing out under the Overpass.
Then, suddenly, a somewhat tall female figure could be seen hurrying along, before long a voice called out.
"Peter! Peter where are you?"
Hearing his name being called out by an unfamiliar voice, slowly awoke Peter from his pleasant dreams, ones in which sweet and kind words were being whispered by a kind and gentle voice. Slowly coming out of his grogginess, Peter moaned.
"Mmmmm…..who….is it?"
While still a ways away from Peter, the female figure heard these whispers and started heading towards its direction in a hasty pace, calling out once more.
"Peter, is that you? Peter, your Aunt, and Uncle are worried, please answer me!"
Peter, hearing this voice, concern heavy in its tone, mention his Aunt and Uncle, began to call out weakly, not having the strength to stand out and call back.
"Here...I'm..over here..!"
The female figure hearing this weak response rushed over quicker than before.
Finally approaching Peter's location, Agent Maria Hill was surprised when she found him, Peter, lying on the ground not moving with eyes half-lidded open. A few feet away from Peter drenched in blood. Her thoughts immediately heading to the worst possible situation, taking a deep breath, Maria's training kicked in, calmly accessing the situation, seeing that Peter had no blood on himself, seeing him have no physical injuries apparent, Maria put the thought of it being Peter's blood, to the side.
Gathering herself Maria called out.
"Peter? Peter, can you hear me?"
"Mmm, I can, who are you?"
"My name is Maria Hill, I was at your home not long ago, I came along with Director Fury, we came on behalf...of your parents.."
"...You're that pretty, older girl who was hurt pretty bad?"
Maria, hearing the child before her call her pretty, felt a strange sensation in her chest, not flattery or disgust, just strange. Maria decided to glance over his statement, and asked him.
"Peter, are you alright? Can you move?"
"Mmm, I'm okay...I just can't move."
Peter responded, trying his hardest to remember why he was on the floor. In doing so Peter recalled all that had happened, up until the part where Charles had asked him to forget everything and then he blacked out, Peter thought to himself.
'There's no way I could ever forget Jean!'
Maria's voice awoke Peter from his thoughts. "Director Fury, I've located Peter….yes, yes...The little girl's information on the direction eventually led me to him...yes, yes were located…"
Maria informed Fury of their location, not minutes later a large black town Car Limousine showed up. Out of it stood Fury and Ben.
Ben seeing his nephew on the floor next to a puddle of blood cried out!
"Peter!"
Ben rushed over to Peter as quickly as possible, Maria seeing this responded to Ben's cry.
"Mr. Parker please calm down, the blood isn't Peters, it was present before I arrived."
Ben hearing this was put on edge, looking Peter over, once, twice and then thrice, Ben was finally put at ease.
"..Uncle Ben...i'm sorry for running…"
"Peter! It's alright, everything is okay now!"
"...mmm, Uncle Ben...i'm kinda tired…" Not finishing his sentence, Peter passed out once more.
"Peter! Peter, what's the matter?!"
"Mr. Parker please bring Peter into the car, I'm calling a special on-call doctor over to your home right away, we have to be there when he arrives."
Fury finally speaking was already midway pulling out his phone and dialing a phone number into the keypad of his phone.
Ben, hearing this quickly and carefully picked up Peter and rushed to the car. Ben the first one on, Maria the second, Fury the last one as he was on the phone.
Ben hearing Fury speak on the phone, overheard Fury say.
"Dr. Frankiln...Parker...Peter...come quickly."
Seeing Fury hang up Ben didn't put much thought into it as he was anxious to get home.
At the Parker Residence
Anna could be seen consoling a dismayed May on the couch, the door to the house open and in the doorway, a small redhead could be seen, hopping around anxiously. Looking anxious and nervous at the same time.
MJ bouncing around, finally saw the long black car that drove off a few minutes ago come back in front of the Parker home. "Aunty Anna, Aunty May, they're back!"
May and Anna hearing MJ's words both stood up quickly. May walked to the door of the house and then out it.
The Black Town Car Limousine finally stopped in front of the Parker Residence. The car doors opening showing Ben Parker carrying an unconscious Peter, further in Fury and Hill could be seen waiting to exit the car.
After exiting the car Ben walked to the house slowly and carefully, careful not to jostle Peter too harshly.
May seeing her Peter out-cold almost passed out herself. "Ben! What's going on?"
"I don't know, a doctor has already been called, they'll be here soon."
Before May could continue, another luxurious car stopped out in front of the Parker Residence.
Out of it walked an elderly gentleman with solid white hair. This man walked briskly towards Fury himself, asking the situation in detail. Fury responded calmly and informed Dr. Franklin Storm of the recent happenings.
Dr. Storm hearing this put on a difficult expression for a moment before returning to his stoic usual, walked towards the home, followed by Fury and Hill.
"Mr. and Mrs. Parker, my name is Dr. Franklin Storm, I'm the man who delivered young Peter..i'm also one of the only men on earth who knows his full medical history. I can assure you, I'm the most qualified person to check up on Peter's condition at the moment."
Before Ben or May could respond, MJ stood forth and said.
"Mister, you can help Peter. Right? If you can then please hurry up!"
Startling all the adults in the surroundings a young MJ stood forth and questioned the Elderly Doctor.
Anna, hearing her niece's word's immediately chided her. "MJ come out of the Doctor's way!"
May hearing both Anna's and MJ's words, spoke up.
"You heard her Doctor, If you can help my Peter then please do."
"Mmn" Bens response came out as well.
"If I could be so impertinent to have one of you gentlemen carry young Peter to a bed so that I can more easily perform my tests. It would be greatly appreciated."
"I've got it, Doctor please follow me." Ben walked over to the couch and gently picked up Peter then walked upstairs.
A Few Hours Later
Anna could be seen once again sat on the couch alongside May, Rubbing her shoulders and speaking words of comfort. Fury and Hill standing by the Doorway looking to each other and speaking in whispers only the two of them could hear.
"Director, I've just received word from the lab, the blood onsite of Peters place of re-location is of an odd nature."
"Speak agent Hill."
"It's of a documented Mutant...Charles Xavier.."
Fury hearing this, had his eyes widened open. Fury proceeded to whisper to Agent Hill.
In front of the stairway stood two figures one large the other small. The large being Ben Parker, the small being MJ. Ben looking up the stairway, was praying for his nephews continued safety, thinking to himself that the doctor upstairs was the one who gave Richard the serum, thinking that he being the one who understood Peter's 'condition' the best, would have the best shot at finding out what was wrong.
Ben stuck in his own thoughts was startled to hear a.
[Sniffle]
Ben looked toward the origin of the sound then looked down at MJ, noticing the poor child's eyes Red and puffy, her nose red and irritated. The tiny person looked like a strawberry at the moment. Ben seeing this blamed himself for being so insensitive towards the child's needs.
Ben bent down on one knee looking at MJ and sighed then he took out his handkerchief and used it to gently wipe down the girls face.
Looking MJ in her eyes Ben said.
"It'll be okay you know, Tigers a strong one. I'm not sure what's wrong with him at the moment but knowing Tiger he'll pull through this just fine."
"...*sniff*...Tiger?"
"Ah, you don't know Peters nickname?"
MJ, shaking her head to show no, looked at Ben and asked. "Why is his nickname Tiger?"
"Haha, ya' see, that, started when Peter was still a baby, crawling around the house. One day when I was watching TV and Peter was crawling in his Pen, a commercial came on that showed a tiger on screen, at the end of the commercial, the Tiger roared out at the TV, the TV was pretty loud at the time and the Tigers roar was so abrupt it frightened even me, I thought for sure Peter would start crying. I got up and reached for the remote to turn the TV off and go and get Peter, however, before I could reach the remote, I heard a yell, thinking I was too late to stop Peter from crying, I looked towards Peter and noticed he wasn't crying, no instead he was looking at the TV and roaring out with his baby voice, looking straight at the tiger, not afraid of it at all. When the commercial ended Peter stopped yelling out as well and sat down then started crawling again like nothing even happened."
MJ, hearing this, was surprised, to say the least. MJ has seen that commercial herself more than once. Each and every time it comes on MJ has to either cover her ears and close her eyes or change the channel. Hearing that Peter, even as a baby wasn't scared of it but even roared back at it, shocked MJ to find out how brave Peter was.
"Ever since then I began to call Peter, Tiger, and over the years the nickname has only begun to make more sense. For example, whether it be Peters curiosity or his bravery and recklessness. Peter, truly has grown strong just like a Tiger cub."
MJ, hearing this, thought back to all the times Peter and she had played together over the years. All those times Peter lead her around, and those times Peter helped her up off the ground and made her tears stop flowing.
"...Tiger...I like that.."
"Hahaha, it suits him doesn't it!"
"Yeah...It does."
[Click]
The sound of a door opening alerted all members currently residing in the house, all of them now looking to the stairwell.
"Mister and Misses Parker, I've good news and bad news." Announced Dr. Storm, the moment he came down the stairs.
"What is it, Doctor?" Asked a nervous Ben.
"First the good news, Peter is just tuckered out. Whether it be his receiving the recent news or running that far a distance that quickly without any breaks at his young age or a combination of the two. It has all left Peter very tired. With a few days good bed rest, Peter should be up and about as per usual."
Ben and May hearing this felt conflicted, after all, this was just the good news. While happy to hear that Peter was already on the path to recovery, they felt pressure awaiting the 'Bad News'.
"And the bad news, Doctor?"
"...Peter is exhausted...mentally and physically, through and through. I've seen patients go through periods of downtime like this only to never recover due to a mental stigma."
"What should we do Doctor?" Asked a worried May.
"..I suggest lots of TLC, tender loving care, one of the best medicines in this world is the people beside you. Surround Peter with people who love and care for him...If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion, let people like this young lady spend more time with Peter. Tend to him as you would any other day. Don't treat him as a cripple lest it affect his mindset and make him think that there's something wrong with himself."
Anna and May hearing the Doctors word's, looked towards MJ, only to see her face now beet red, and yet with a determined glint in her eyes. Both women seeing this expression, had differing feelings flash through their minds. May's being care and affection towards MJ, Anna, however, was troubled by this look upon MJ's face, thinking her niece to be too young to be considering matters such as "love".
After a few more recommendations, Dr. Storm excused himself after leaving his pager and cell phone numbers' to the Parkers.
Fury and Agent Hill, seeing all was well, excused themselves as well. Hurrying back to Headquarters to investigate matters.
Anna, seeing everyone leaving thought to excuse herself and MJ as well. Only, before she could say her wishes aloud, MJ spoke first.
"Can I go and see Peter?"
Anna, hearing her niece's question looked to reprimand her and tell her of they're leaving. Once more before she could speak her mind, May interrupted her line of thought.
"Of course, dear, you can even stay the night if you so wish."
Anna hearing this was startled, noticing May look at MJ with a gentle gleam in her eyes, the same way she looked at Peter.
MJ hearing this put on an expectant expression and looked up at her Aunt, puppy dog eyes on at full blast, Anna looked towards May, looking to rebuke her, only to see a similar look in her eyes as MJ's. Pleading with her, asking her for permission.
"I could really use a friend tonight as well, someone to talk to, after all, Bens working the Graveyard tonight."
May added in, Anna looked to Ben for back-up only to see him glaring at the two numbers that Doctor Storm left behind, with a concentrated look upon his face.
Anna seeing herself losing this battle. Decided to wave the white flag and surrendered.
"Sigh, alright, let's go home and get some spare clothes and PJ's."
MJ hearing this grew excited and bounced towards Anna and grabbing her hand. Pulling her out the door as quickly as possible.
May, seeing this, put a smile on her face, looked toward her husband to share in this happiness with him. Now noticing his look and glare at the Cards in his hand. May called out to Ben.
"Ben, what's wrong...I know we just got some terrible news...but your brother is M.I.A, they haven't confirmed him and Mary dead yet. There's still a chance...right now we need to focus on Peter."
May thinking him to be distraught on the news of his brother, tried her best at comforting and redirecting him on to what was currently important, Peter.
"...mmm, you're right...I'm sorry, May, I just need some time, I'll be back to normal soon." Smiled Ben reassuringly.
May taking Ben for his word smiled back at him, then walked to the kitchen, sure to dodge the shards of glass on the floor, looking to get the broom and dustpan to clean her earlier mess.
Later that night in the Parker Residence
May walked down the hall after having talked Anna to sleep, she crept up to Peter's room, looked through the crack to see what the two little ones were up to.
Looking in, May saw MJ sitting on a chair by Peter's bedside, both her hands grasping onto Peters right hand. Seeing this sight put a lovely and gentle smile on May's face, May felt she was beginning to like this little girl more and more.
She walked into the room, taking soft and quiet steps, doing her utmost not to make any noise and awaken the two sleeping children. After having approached MJ's side she looked down to see tear stains on her cheeks. Her eyes a puffy red, looking to have cried herself to sleep. May, seeing this sighed, then lifted MJ and laid her beside Peter on his bed. May covered the two with a blanket, all throughout this MJ refused to let go of Peter's hands.
May, having finished her task, set out of the room, turning around in the doorway looking at the two sleeping children, smiled then closed the door.
At the Xavier Institute for the Gifted and Talented, in the Headmasters Office
"Professor, You never told me what happened back there, you were left behind to handle the matter of the boy, Peter's memory, but when you came to the vehicle you were disheveled and covered in your own blood., Jean almost didn't come with us after seeing you in your state. What happened back there?"
"...Ororo...that boy...Peter, he's similar in nature to Jean...perhaps that was why they naturally gathered together, or perhaps that's why they were so close to each other, after only having met for a day."
"...you mean he's...he's an 'inheritor'?"
"No...yes, maybe...I'm not sure. Jean holds an impossibly strong connection to a certain cosmic power that gives her immensely powerful gifts. But she does not have a physical or mental connection to it as of yet, the cosmic force is limited in the actions it can take...Peter, however, is directly linked to...whatever power that resides within him...Ororo, when I attempted to wipe Peter's memory of ever having met us or Jean...I failed similar to the way I can't influence Jean, this intrigued me, after all, I could still mentally converse with Peter the same way I can with Jean...however, when I try to Mentally implant a thought or action in Jean, the thought is immediately redirected. However, with Peter...it was like my command disappeared, in to the void. This intrigued me...so I attempted to dive within and see for myself what was happening..unlike with Jean I was able to enter...only Peters mind...it was guarded...guarded by golden, iridescent webs and creatures I can only describe as Giant Arachnids. Some looking like Spiders and others spider-esque hybrids... Ororo, I've never felt such power...only in Jean but then the two powers were different...Jeans manifested through her mutant abilities...Peter's however...it was like being looked down upon by a deity…something tells me if Peter were to ever awaken those powers in their entirety...he would be a god among men."
"..."
"..."
"...What should we do?"
"There's nothing we can do…" Charles finished gravely.
At new S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters
"Director Fury...Is there a reason you didn't tell the Parkers everything?"
"...If I were to tell them of the Parkers being captured by the infamous HYDRA, how do you think they would've taken that..?"
"That was not my meaning….I was speaking of...Of the Parkers daughter, Sir."
"...Teresa isn't like Peter, she wasn't born in secrecy...everyone knows that she was born in S.H.I.E.L.D custody, If we released her in to the Parkers hands….and their enemy's found out of it, it could connect back to Peter...and Peter could connect back to to the agency...and so on and so forth." Fury cautioned darkly.
"..it just doesn't feel right sir, keeping her from them, and them from her." Maria spoke bitterly.
"The right thing hardly ever feels right...besides I have Mary and Richards most recent will and testament. In it they asked us to keep their children safe...after everything they did...it's the least we could do. In their Will..they asked me to raise Teresa and make sure she could stand on her own two feet in this world...which is why you will be raising her, effective immediately, it will also teach you discipline. You will teach and train her...with everything you've got, when shes ready...the same way I trained you."
"..Yes Sir, after all...those two...they..treated me like their own…" Stopping before she showed undue emotion in front of her superior...one of the lessons Mary taught her.
"Sigh, Agent Hill...you are dismissed, and freed of all duties for the foreseeable future, except raising the Child known as Teresa Parker."
"Understood...Sir." Replied the straight-backed Maria Hill walking out of the Director's office.
*Authors Note*
Alright first I'd like to apologize for a few things here, First and foremost for a new schedule update, because of things at work picking up, this will more than likely limit the amount of time I have to write. What this means is that I won't be able to upload as much as I like...From hence forth I'm setting the goal to have 1 chapter be released every two-three days… as for chapter length, I make no promises, I'll try to make them at least 3K words. As you may be able to tell these last few chapters have been hecka long… like 10K words...consider these my apology for not keeping up with my original wish of a chapter every day, I'm sorry.
Now moving on, let's talk about the chapter, I finally introduced Jean! And we got a bit more MJ time as well, muahahaha! And, of course, there's the new's of Peters parents, and how he deals with that.
Another thing I'd like to tell you guys is that next chapter should be a relatively important one, for a few reasons...like we get to meet another potential love interest... goes by the name of "Cindy" or something...we might also see another certain character...Goes by the name Natasha…
Anyway, I think that's enough of a spoiler for next time.
Thanks go to all my lovely readers out there, special thanks to all my new reviewers as well as the followers and favorites. Once again thank you guys so much for taking the time out of your day to read this little Fanfic of mine!