Chapter Nine

Discussing Fathers

"We were so close!" Spidey shouted as his fist slammed through his twelfth punching bag, his face scrunched up in annoyance. He continued ploughing his fists into the torn cloth one after another. Though he knew no one could see his face because of his mask. That was how he wanted it as well. No one, not enemies or allies, would be able to see how scared or frustrated he was in heat of battle. That was one of the many reasons why he wears the mask.

Behind him, watching in worry and pity, his team could do hardly anything to comfort their leader. "Don't worry Spidey, we'll get them back." Powerman said from the wall he leant against.

"How!?" He shouted as he turned to them, ignoring how the sand bag behind him completely falls apart, sand hitting the ground with a loud 'Thump!' "Loki is one of the most powerful villains! Even the Avengers have problems with him! And he has control over Tsuna and his Guardians!"

"We'll come up with a plan, like we always do, and get them back. Loki will have his butt handed to him as always." Nova said with a shrug.

"When do our plans ever work!?" The Bug shouted back at the Bucket Head.

"Peter! Enough!" Ava shouted as she ripped her mask off of her head and walked up to the other hero. "We get that you're frustrated and worried for Tsuna, but you have to calm down."

"How? How can I possibly calm down when Tsuna could be hurt at this moment!?" Peter asked as he ripped his own mask off as well. His eyes showed just how angry and worried he was. The normally bright blue eyes that shined in excitement and happiness and the same color as the sky were now dark and brooding, the color of the night sky.

Ava stared at her friend before sighing and placing both of her hands on the teen's shoulders. "Have faith that we will help her. We will help all of them, just like we have helped so many people in the past." She pulled him into a hug, holding onto him tightly. "I know it hurts, but we'll get through this and we'll get them back. Don't worry. We've got your back on this."

Peter stood stun for a moment before he wrapped her into his arms and buried his face in her neck. He ignored the shaking of his body and how his face felt wet and just held on tight. He needed this so badly. He needed the comfort and the reassurance that this would be alright. Despite what he showed everyone, he wasn't unaffected from the events around him, and he wasn't ignoring what he was feeling during this events. No, he just locked them away until he could deal with them in private, away from people so that they couldn't see him break down.

He was a leader meant to be a strength for his team.

But sometimes even he was weak and could break.

"We've got you Peter." Luke said as he walked over to the two and laid a hand on his right shoulder. His glasses were no longer on his face but in his free hand.

"We will not allow you to face this alone." Danny said next as he laid his own hand on his left shoulder, his mask removed as well.

"We can't let you do this alone anyways. You'd screw it up." Sam said next as he laid his own hand on Peter's head. He had taken his helmet off and now was stood on the ground behind his friend, teammate, and leader. "So we'll follow you until we've got this all figured out and done with. We're your friends after all."

"See, you aren't alone Peter." Ava whispered into his ear as she laid her head against his. She held on to him tightly, knowing that the shaking would subside in time. "We'll help you together Peter. We're here for you."

Peter continued to stand there, soaking in all of his friends' warmth and comfort. He needed this. He needed the support and care his teammates all had for him.

He hoped that once he emerged from his friends' arms that he would be ready to face this disaster once more. That he'd be ready to go after and save the love of his life and his friends.

Until then he'll stand here in the warmth of his friend, protected from the cold and cruel outside world.

TFD

"Do you think they can help him in this?" Lal questioned as she watched the security footage that showed the teenagers all grouped tightly together. Even the kid that normally wore the helmet had moved into the sort of group hug going on in the moment.

Reborn watched the scene as it continued on into the five minute range. "Since they're still standing there letting him cry like a big ole baby after five minutes…yeah, they most likely can." Reborn said as he turned to the other two. "I'm going to go down."

"Before you do, I brought these." Iemitsu said as he held out a brown wooden box to the hitman. "I heard about what you did to the Spider, so I though these could come in handy. Especially since he's a sky."

Reborn frowned at the man before taking the box into his own hands and opening it.

Inside lay seven rings. Each one had a different colored jewel inlaid in it with simple silver band. They were simple but all three Ex-Arcobaleno knew exactly what they were.

"So you had rings made up for them." Lal said with a raised brow at the CEDEF boss.

"Kora, these look great. Better than the ones that were made in the future." Colonello said as he picked up the ring with a blue Gem in it. He pushed his flames into it lightly and watched as the ring lit up in blue flames. "Easy to use though."

Reborn took the ring back and placed it back into the box before closing it. He left the room silently afterwards.

"What's wrong with him?" Iemitsu was rubbing the back of his head as he watched after the Hitman, unsure of this new behavior from the normally confident hitman. "He left before I could give him the rest of the equipment sent over."

Lal and Colonello shared looks before walking out of the room, leaving behind a confused and befuddled CEDEF Boss.

TFD

"So…you feeling better now?" Sam questioned as he shifted his helmet around in his hands. He shifted awkwardly around as he looked at the still somewhat close group. "Cause this is starting to get really awkward for me."

Peter straightened from the hug from Ava and smiled at the other boy. "Yeah, I'm better now." He said as he wiped at his face while his friends ignored the puffy red eyes he now sported. "It's just been a long couple of days."

"Yeah, we can understand that." Luke said before he chuckled. "I've been looking for an awesome Father's day gift for my old man. I hope he likes it too, especially with Father's day being today." He mentioned casually. He was actually hoping to change the subject at the moment to something lighter.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that." Sam said with a smile on his face. "What did you get for your dad?"

Luke smirked superiorly with his nose up in the air and his arms crossed over his chest. "I got my dad a cashmere sweater with the Saints Logo on it." He stated.

"A sweater…for the Saints?" Ava questioned with a raised brow. "Your dad must be a football fanatic then."

"He sure is. What about you Ava? Do you have a father figure to give a gift to?" He questioned curiously.

"Yeah, my uncle. He's living in Wakanda with my Grandfather right now." She explained calmly, ignoring the incredulous looks on her friends faces. "I sent him a black Panther sculpture I found at a store. It had these cool silver decals all over it, like veins almost." She explained happily. "I hope he likes it."

"You have family…in Wakanda!" Peter shrieked in awe. "I've always wanted to go there and meet T'Challa. Or the Black Panther! He's as smart as Tony Stark and Wakanda sits on one of the biggest vibranium deposit in the world!" He was all starry eyed and excited at the information.

Ava blinked in surprise at the information that Peter was spewing while the other three boys all listened. "Yeah, but how did you know that?"

Peter paused before looking nervous. "How about when we aren't in a high security base where a very angry Pirate could throttle me." He said instead before turning to Sam. "What about you? Are you giving to your father figure and who is it?" He questioned quickly, hoping to turn the subject away from his ability to Hack into Tony Stark's AI, Jarvis.

Sam easily took the subject change as he puffed out his chest in pride. "I got Coulson a gift!" He exclaimed easily. He had once had a family of his own, in Arizona in fact, but due to circumstances…he no longer had them. He frowned in remembrance of his family and his father before shaking his head to look back at his team and his newest acquired father figure. "It took forever and almost all of the savings I had from working here at SHIELD but I got it!" He stated happily.

"Okay, what are you going on about?" Ava questioned in irritation. She didn't like be kept waiting for information. "What did you get?"

Sam smirked as he looked excitedly at his friends. "I got him a handmade replica of the original Captain America Shield. It's made of adamantium that I gathered myself and took to a black smith to make." He explained excitedly. "Then I brought it here and had some of the techs paint it for me so that it looks exactly like the original one."

"Wow that sounds awesome." Peter said with a smile on his face. "I'm sure he'll love it."

"Yeah, with how obsessed he is with the Cap, he'll be thrilled. It'll be useful as well since it's made from Adamantium." Luke nodded his head in agreement.

"I know, right!" Sam exclaimed excitedly before turning to Danny with a big grin on his face. "What about you Danny? You're part of the Rand Enterprises so I'm sure it's really hard to shop for your dad, right?"

Danny nodded his head. "It can be, yes." Danny agreed as he thought about his own father. The man was kind and loving to him and had even gone up in an airplane a long time ago even though the man was afraid of flying. For good reason apparently because that plane had crashed in Kunlun. They had been lucky that the monks there were willing to send his father home in exchange for him to stay and train. "But he loves anything I get him or even make him." Danny explained.

"I see. So what did you make him this year?" Luke questioned next. It was obvious with that last part that Danny had made his father a gift.

The Kunlun heir smiled as he thought about the sculpture he had created. "I made him a copy of the Dragon in Kunlun that I fought. It's taken years to make too, so I hope he really likes it." He said as he thought about the dragon who had given him his tattoo and his Iron Fist ability. It had been magnificent and opulent in appearance.

"Sounds like you put a lot of work into it." Sam stated with a smile as he sat on the ground. He had grown tired of stand and didn't want to put his helmet on just yet. "Think we can get a peek at it before you give it to your old man?"

"Sure." Danny agreed with a smile. "I don't mind at all. I haven't had time to wrap it yet with all of the commotion going on these past couple of weeks."

"I don't think any of us have had time." Luke agreed. "We've been just too busy to wrap our gifts. They probably won't get their gifts today either."

"Yeah, true for you guys maybe." Ava said with a smirk. "But I sent mine off last week before school. Coulson made sure it was sent off to my uncle through SHIELD Air delivery." She explained cheerily.

"Hmph, that's the only good thing about having someone out of town. You can just mail it and it'll get there whenever without worry about whether it'll get there on time or not." Sam grumbled childishly.

Ava smirked at the space soldier before turning to a chuckling Peter. "What about you Parker? Do you have anyone to give a father's day gift to?" She questioned with her head tilted.

Peter stopped as he stared at Ava, having a feeling of Déjà vu. "I…think I do." He answered finally, hesitant as he remembered the conversation with Tsuna so long ago. Back when she…no he…had shown the pocket watch for Reborn to him. How he had helped Peter realize that he did in fact have a father figure in his life, despite the fact that Fury didn't help him with the normal teenage stuff.

But then again, Fury had helped him realize that just because he loved Tsuna, it didn't mean that he was gay. It just meant that he loved Tsuna.

"Yeah." Peter said as he looked at his friends with a smile on his face. "I do have a father figure."

The group of friends all shared smiles as they looked back to their leader and friend. "Well, who is it?" Luke questioned eagerly, wondering who it would be that Peter looked up to and would get a present for. IT could only be someone they knew for sure.

Maybe Coulson.

Or Iron Man! That would be fun to watch. Peter giving Tony Stark a present.

"Fury."

The one word made them all look at him like he was insane. "Nick Fury? The boss of SHIELD? Are you kidding me?" Sam questioned as he looked at the teen in disbelief.

Peter just looked at the teen in confusion. "No, I'm not kidding. I'm actually very serious." He stated as he frowned. "I mean, he gives me all sorts of advice and helps me out where I need it." He explained to them. "Isn't that what a father figure is supposed to be like?"

His friends still stared at him for long moments until the door to the gym opened up to reveal a familiar suit wearing assassin. "Hey! Come to help Spidey destroy punching bags?" Sam called out with a wide smile on his face, unperturbed about his face being revealed to the Hitman.

All of them had figured out that if Peter had been discovered, then their own identities to these people were probably known as well. "No." Reborn stated curtley as he came to stand in front of them with sharp eyes. "I've come to give you all something to help out with the battle that's coming up."

They all blinked before circling around the man and waiting to see what he would do next. They watched as he opened a box to reveal seven rings on the inside of it. "Rings? What good will those do in a fight?" Luke questioned curiously.

Reborn pulled out the ring with the orange stone in the middle and handed it to Peter. "You are the Sky that accepts all." He stated calmly to the Spider themed hero.

Peter blinked as he took the ring and put it on his finger. That was when he felt his flames react to the ring and burst out of the stone like a damn had been burst. "This…this is conducting my flames!" Peter exclaimed as he looked at the Hitman in surprise.

"That's right. These rings can be used to open specialized equipment created by an Ex-Arcobaleno known as Verde." Reborn started as he held onto the rest of the rings. "He created weapons called Box Weapons. They hold anything from actual weapons to animals to help combat enemies or opponents." Reborn explained before looking at them seriously. "But there's another reason why you are being given these rings."

"Oh?" Ava questioned as she crossed her arms over her chest. "What might that be?"

"To mark you as off limits to any Mafia hit attempts." Reborn explained calmly. "Peter has unlocked his flames and can now use them at will. Most Mafia members will want to try and take him for their own use due to his Sky flames. A rare flame type in the Mafia world." He explained.

"Yeah, we remember the Flame explanation." Luke said next. "So is this to protect as civilians then? Cause I don't think we want to involve superheroes in the Mafia."

"Yes, basically." Reborn said next as Peter pulled a glove off and put his rings on his left middle finger. It was a perfect fit. "This'll make sure that all mafia families know you belong to Vongola. SO wear them when you're dressed as a civilian and hide them when you are in your superhero garb." He stated calmly.

"Okay, so Peter got the orange one for the Sky Flame. What about us then? We haven't unlocked our flames yet so how do we know who gets which one?" Ava questioned as she stared at the Hitman.

"I am sure the Hitman will request us to meditate and concentrate on the power within us to bring it forth." Danny said before pulling his head backwards from the blue gem ring shoved into his face. "Or he will just give us the rings." He corrected as he looked at the ring in the palm of his hand.

Ava rolled her eyes at the Hitman as she was handed the Red jewel ring next. She placed it into one of the pouches she had hidden on her costume. "Joy, so I'm a Storm then?" She said next.

Reborn ignored her as he walked over to Luke and handed him the yellow jewel ring to him. "Better not disappoint the rest of us suns." Reborn said to the tall teen with narrowed eyes.

"I'll do my best." Luke replied as he placed the ring into a pocket and out of the way for the moment, safe and sound from danger.

Reborn nodded before he walked over to Nova. He pulled out a ring and handed it to the teen with a smirk on his face. "Lightning." He said as the green jewel glinted in the light. "Normally the most protective but also the most annoying."

"Hey!" Sam shouted but accepted the ring anyways. "We're the most awesome!" He replied instead. He pulled his glove off and put the ring on his right hand ring finger. He stared at it with a tilted and curious look.

"No wonder he gets along with Lambo so well." Peter said with a smile. "They're alike in flames."

"Yes, most flames that are similar will get along, but not always." Reborn explained before looking at them. "I want you to take those rings right back out and put them on your fingers right now." He commanded.

Those who had put theirs away pulled them out once more and put them on a finger. Ava on her left middle finger, Luke on his right middle finger, and Danny on his right thumb. "Now what?" Sam questioned as he looked at the Hitman.

"To light your flames, you have to have determination, will, and spirit. Concentrate on what you want done the most. Why don't you show them how it's done Peter?" Reborn had posed it as a question but Peter knew that it was a command.

Peter nodded his head as he looked back down at his ring, the flames having gone out some time ago. He concentrated again, mostly about how he wanted to save Tsuna, and the ring lit with bright orange flames once more. "Concentrate on something you want the most." Peter said as he stared at his flames.

All of his friends glanced at each other before looking at their own rings in concentration.

The first to light their flames was Sam. Lightning like bolts firing out of the ring around him, but not hurting him. "Cool!" Sam exclaimed in excitement just as Danny lit his own ring.

The blue flames flowed around him in gentle waves, as if it was an ocean pouring forth. "Hmm, this feels rather enjoyable." Danny said as he soaked up the feeling of his flames.

The next one was Luke, who smirked at the bright sunny flames wafting off of his ring. "Warm." He said happily.

Ava though was struggling to light her flames. Her brow was furrowed and her teeth bared as she tried to bring forth the flames like her friends and teammates had done so, scarily easily. She though was not lighting her flames like all the other had and you could see her frustration building the longer it went on.

"Ava." Peter finally said, bringing her attention from the ring to him. "Relax. Concentrate on something you want to protect. With all of your will, focus on that." Peter explained calmly as he smiled at her confidently. "I know you can do this."

Reborn smirked as Ava nodded her head at Peter and then concentrated again. This time her face was relaxed and calm. Only moments later her ring exploded with a gush of hot red flames that knocked everyone backwards. "Damn, we have another Hibari here." Reborn said as the flames calmed down to a small fountain of flames that sparked around her.

"Awesome job Ava!" Peter yelled out before turning to all of his teammates. "Good job all of you! I knew you could do it!" He was happy and excited that his friends had been able to accomplish this feat, especially as it had taken him being shot multiple times before he could control his. And even then he didn't know everything about his abilities like Tsuna did his.

"Now that you all have unlocked your flames, we can begin." Reborn said as he turned back to the door of the Gym to watch Colonello and Lal enter, each holding a black box in their hands. "Good timing, I just got them to unlock their flames." Reborn said to the two military maniacs.

"We figured, Kora." The blonde replied as he opened his box and Lal opened hers to reveal seven different colored boxes that laid inside of them.

"So I get the green one, right?" Sam questioned enthusiastically, raising a hand in the air as if he was in school.

TFD

"Are you sure that this will make due for the coming battle?" Odin questioned as he looked around the top of Stark Tower.

"Yes, Iron Man or Tony Stark, as allowed us usage of the roof while he and the others are off on another mission." Fury explained.

"Though I have stayed behind to aid in the capture of Loki." Thor said next as he looked at his father and then Fury. "He will not get away with this, I promise you that, Son of Sawada." Thor said to a frowning Iemitsu.

"He won't either way." Iemitsu said seriously as he pulled out his pick axe and swung it up against his shoulder. "I won't allow him to."

"You stand no chance against one like Loki." Odin said as he looked at the fellow father. "He is much stronger than you mere Midgardians."

"And yet the Avengers handle him on a seemingly daily basis. I think some of those encounters also happened against a certain spider without the said help of Thor or he gave Thor his help." Iemitsu spat at the Asgardian with narrowed eyes. Odin's own eye narrowed at the blonde mortal. "So please don't mind if I don't take you seriously."

"Don't worry about that Iemitsu, I don't either." Reborn said as he appeared out of nowhere. "Most Asgardians are full of themselves and think themselves better because they live longer lives. Though I think I beat it into Thor that just because I'm not immortal doesn't mean I can't kick his god damn blonde dumbass to Asgard and back." Reborn sent said Asgardian a feral smirk.

Thor nodded his head with a frown on his face, Mjölnir clutched in a white knuckle grip. "Yo Thor, long time no see!" The God of Thunder whipped around to stare at the young hero in red and blue.

"Ah! Man of Spiders! It is indeed good to see you as well!" Thor said with a wide smile as he took in the boy in front of him. The young hero had grown several inches since last Thor had seen him, and he had gotten more muscle on his wiry frame. "Are you here to confront my brother as well?"

"Of course I am!" Spidey said with a jovial tone that cause the hair on Thor's neck and arms to stand straight up. "He's taken something that isn't his and I'm going to get it back." The jovial tone turned to serious determination a second later. "I suggest that you don't stop me and my team from knocking Loki down and out of the way, do you understand."

Thor stared in confusion as each of Spiderman's team stepped up next to the young hero, each radiating determination and fierceness. These children were definitely ready to face the God of Mischief and none of them were going to hold back.

The God of Thunder knew that they, especially Spiderman, were going for blood.

He planned on not getting in their way.

"So I hear you are our bait big guy!" Nova exclaimed as he flew over to Odin so he could stare at the man in the eye. "You ready to be put into a massive amount of danger that could end up with anyone of us dying?"

"You will not die young one." Odin informed. "I will not allow such an insult to my ability to happen."

"Wow." Powerman said next as he looked at the King of Asgard. "I'm not sure how to take that at all."

"I feel like it was an insult." White tiger said with a grumble. "As if we haven't dealt with Loki before, probably better than he has."

"What your mouth Lady of Tigers." Thor growled at the teen. "You speak to a being much greater than yourself or even I."

"Yeah, sure whatever." White Tiger yawned as she picked at her claws.

Thor growled but stopped when Odin spoke. "Do not worry my son, we will make sure they are safe during this battle against your brother." He said calmly.

"Yeah, so when will he show up?" Spidey questioned, and even through his mask one could sense the raised brow.

"Be Patient Spiderman." Iron Fist spoke up for the first time since they showed up. "Our enemy will show himself when we least expect him. So as to put us off balance and have the advantage in battle."

"He's right you know." A voice said from the farthest side of the roof from them, causing everyone to turn around to stare at the eight figures standing opposite of them. "That's the best battle strategy and the most basic one as well." Loki said with a smirk.

TFD

He wanted to cry.

He wanted to scream.

But most of all…he wanted to punch that motherfucking trash in the face.

Tsuna knew that he also needed to limit contact with Xanxus if he was willing to start calling all of his enemies trash.

He could see everything thing happening. It was all blue and had a fuzzy edge, but he could see it and he could understand what was happening. He watched as he helped Loki summon Odin to Earth and then how Peter had tried to help him. To save him and his friends from the evil god.

He was helpless to help his boyfriend.

And that hurt more than he could believe. Just like the time he had been unable to help his friends when they fought against the Simon Famiglia back when they were enemies. It hurt just about as much as then. Watching as his friends fought and then were taken to Vindice Prison.

He was helpless to help his friends as well.

They were all under the control of Loki and not even Hibari could break free of the God's hold upon them. That in itself explained how powerful this man truly was. To suppress such a powerful force such a Kyoya Hibari.

He also knew that all of his guardians could see as much as he did. And he knew that despite being outwardly calm in Loki's control, they were all screaming and clawing and doing all they could to get out from under the mind control. Just like he was.

He blinked and he could see Peter and his team, along with his father and Reborn. Two others were there as well, standing next to Fury. They all had looks on their faces of surprise and then hatred as they looked at Loki.

'You will fight Spiderman and his team, along with my brother. Keep them out of my way while I deal with Odin.'

That voice spoke in his head and Tsuna already knew he would obey and fight. There would be no stopping his body from obey.

He felt the tears falling down his face as his body sprang forward to clash against the love of his life.

TFD

A.N. Haha! Now we're going to get into some action here! And yes, I know! Some of the Flames I gave to Spidey's team is probably both expected and unexpected. What flame did you expect for each to have? I'm just curious because I want to know what others are thinking. Can you tell me in a review? OR even PM if you'd like. Tell me what you think of this chapter! I can't wait to hear from you all!

Until next time ladies and gents!