A/N: This just in... the characters of the MCU do not belong to me. I'm just playing with them for a little while.
Thoughts are in italic.
News Reports are underlined
Video recordings are italic and underlined
Phone calls are bold
-Sorry if that gets confusing! -
Chapter 2: Breaking News
At Ned's house, he and MJ were waiting for Peter to arrive. Ned was sitting on the floor and leaning back against his bed, putting together a few Legos to pass the time. Michelle was sitting at his desk, impatiently tapping her foot while messing around with one of Ned's Nerf guns.
"He better be here soon!" MJ complained. "He has all of our research, and I'd like to make it home in time to see my dad before he has to go to work tonight!"
Ned shrugged, "He'll be here. You know Peter, he's easily distracted." Ned added another piece to the Lego structure that he was putting together. "Besides, he said he needed to, like, stop at the bank or something like that."
MJ scoffed, "Great. There's plenty of things to distract him there. Who knows how long that will take him!"
"Relax!" Ned told his friend. "Even if he runs a little late, Peter would never let us down! Especially with a science assignment! You know how he is about finishing his homework!" Ned smiled to himself, recalling a story Peter told him about almost missing out on going to Germany with Iron Man by using homework as an excuse.
"Whatever!" MJ said. "But if he isn't here in the next 15 minutes..." She held up the Nerf gun for Ned to see, "... He's getting one to the head!"
"Harsh!" Ned teased. He thought about how easily distracted Peter could get. Ned was Peter's only friend to know about the Spider-Man identity, so he knew that the "distractions" meant that he might need to slip into his Spider-Man gear and help someone.
Ned decided to turn on the small TV he had in his room, he figured if Peter had donned the Spider-Man gear, then they might see a News Flash about it. Of course, Ned would be the only one to know it was Peter, but he figured the TV could at least provide some entertainment for MJ. Either that or drown out her complaining.
Michelle Jones jumped slightly at the sound of the TV clicking on, in doing so she accidentally fired a Nerf dart at the TV, where it stuck to the screen.
Ned just shook his head at her. They both chuckled when the dart happened to be stuck around the crotch of the reporter displayed on the screen.
Reporter: "Reporting Live with Breaking News out of Queens: Police are now on scene at a bank being held by a group of armed robbers. A short time ago, 2 men reportedly entered the building with guns. A security guard and another hostage inside the bank were able to distract and temporarily subdue the robbers long enough for the other people inside to escape.
Ned and MJ were listening closely now. As the camera zoomed in, MJ's dart was now in the middle of the reporter's face. She moved forward and plucked the dart off the screen. "Didn't you say Peter had to stop at the bank? You don't think...?" MJ didn't finish the question. Instead she looked at her friend, who was intently studying the screen in front of him.
"Umm..." Ned was trying to get a better look at the bank building in the background. The brick of the building looked familiar. "I think... it might be," he said. Of course, Ned was waiting to hear about Spider-Man helping out because Peter would not have been able to sit back and do nothing. He squinted, "Is that blood just outside of the door?"
Reporter: Unfortunately, things took a terrible turn when a third assailant, likely already stationed inside the building, opened fire. At this time, we know that the guard and other hostage attempting to help were both shot. We cannot confirm the condition of either of them right now... (the reporter put a hand to his ear, listening to his earpiece). I'm being told that the teller from inside the bank can help to provide more information.
Jill Smith (Bank Teller): Umm... (appears on screen), Yes, I saw everything. It's all... (she sniffs and blinks back tears) Everything happened so fast.
Reporter: I'm sure this must have been terrifying for you. Ms. Smith, could you tell us how this started?
JS: S-sure. I was at my station wh-when these two men charged into the building with weapons, ordering u-us to get down. I-I, well, I managed to hit the silent alarm while our security guard, Mr. Jones, tasered the one man. (She takes a breath) Then, the young man (she blinks a few times) h-he stopped the other guy from shooting Mr. Jones. (She shakes her head). He looked so young, but he managed to use the stanchion post to knock out his legs from under him, and he told us all to run! (Tears fell down her cheeks).
"Holy SHIT!" Ned thought to himself, a sinking feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. "Was that Peter? It sounds like something Peter might do, but why didn't he do it as Spider-Man?" The reporter continued before Ned could think of it any further.
Reporter: So the hostage that helped the security guard was young?
JS: He looked young. Like... not even 18! And then... they just... they... shot him and... and pulled him back inside! The police... they couldn't even help him! (She cries harder, sniffling as she speaks). It a-all just happened so fast!
MJ and Ned just stared at the screen. Both afraid to voice their thoughts out loud.
Reporter: I'm getting word now that we have footage taken from the camera phone of someone nearby as this all unfolded. I'm advised that the following images are not appropriate for young children.
Video footage begins playing on the TV screen and shows people running and screaming as they exit the bank.
Ned and MJ leaned forward, hoping to catch a glimpse of their friend exiting to his safety with the others.
"There!" MJ yelled as a familiar face could be made out just inside of the door, ushering others out in front of him.
The sinking feeling in Ned's stomach grew. He knew Peter's superhero instincts sounded an awful lot like what the bank teller was saying about the helpful young hostage. Someone who was apparently shot!
Peter could be seen inside the door, another man was inside with his face out of view of the camera. Peter began to follow the others outside when two shots could be heard. Peter was shown being thrown forward to the ground in front of him.
"NOOO!" Ned and MJ screamed together.
Police were scrambling, pulling out their weapons and pointing them at the figure who had been standing just out of view. The man was wearing a baseball cap and hoodie. He could be seen holding a gun, pointing it right at Peter's head as he reached down and yanked him up as a shield.
"Oh, god!" MJ breathed. She watched Peter's face in the video. She was shocked to see him conscious, looking bewildered and confused.
Ned watched as the man in the video yanked back Peter's head by the hair, causing his friend to shriek in pain. "ASSHOLE!" Ned thought, watching the brutal actions and being unable to look away. Ned watched as Peter dug in his heels and tried to stop the man from pulling him inside... a show of incredible strength for an injured young man. "Oh no... Peter!" Ned thought, silently hoping his dazed friend wasn't about to accidentally put his super strength on display.
"How? How is he...uhhahhh!" Michelle didn't finish her question, but she instead jumped and shrieked when she watched the man dig his hand into Peter's wound.
Ned shook his head. He heard his best friend give a final shriek of agony before the assailant won the battle, effectively pulling Peter back inside.
Reporter: (Shaking head sadly) As you can see, this shows the third assailant brutally pulling the young, heroic hostage back inside after he'd been shot. It is unclear at this time if the man pulling him back inside was the one to pull the trigger. (Puts finger to his ear) We are also learning that the security guard inside the building was also shot around the same time as this young man.
A still image of the video showed Peter's face paused on the screen.
Reporter: Police are trying to identify the young hostage that is still inside the building with the security guard, both men likely to be seriously injured. They are asking anyone with information about this young man or anyone else connected to this incident to call 911. They are hopeful that they may get in touch with the families of the victims or learn more about the assailants keeping them inside.
*CLICK* Ned held the remote in his hands, having used it to turn off the TV.
"What are you doing?!" MJ cried. "Turn that back on! We need to see Peter!"
"No!" Ned shook his head. "I don't want to see anymore! I don't ever want to see that again!"
MJ knew he was talking about Peter getting shot. She looked down at the Nerf dart still in her hand. She dropped it to the floor, hating herself for the joke about shooting him with the dart for being late. Tears began to slide down her cheek, "You're right. I don't want to see that again either." She looked at her friend. "Ned..."
He looked at her.
"We need to call 911," She said. "We need to tell them that it's Peter Parker being held inside that bank!"
Ned nodded, "That's not the only call we need to make." MJ knew he was referring to May Parker.
MJ and Ned weren't the only ones to see the horrifying news report.
Back in Avenger's Tower, Tony was working and tinkering with the thrusters in his Iron Man gauntlet.
"Sir," FRIDAY's voice suddenly got Tony's attention. "My system is picking up facial recognition of a news report involving Peter Parker."
Tony looked up, worried. "Bring it up on the screen, FRIDAY!"
A similar report to the one Pete'f friends saw played out on Tony's screen, along with the horrifying video.
"Oh, God! No!" Tony said aloud. "FRIDAY... how long ago did this happen? Where did this happen?"
Before the AI could answer, Rhodes stepped into the room off of the elevator. He took note of the report that Tony was watching. "Tony..." Rhodes called, trying to get his attention. "Tony... I saw the same report. Tony!"
Tony wasn't listening. "FRIDAY! When and where?" he called again.
The AI's voice filled the room, "Queen's National Bank, about 30 minutes ago, sir."
Tony was pressing buttons, preparing to suit up and fly out to the bank. He was going to pull Peter out of there himself.
"TONY!" Rhodes called. "You need to stop and think! I sent Happy to pick up May Parker, she'll probably insist that he take her to the scene, but Tony... you can't just fly over there!"
"WHY IN THE HELL NOT?!" Tony demanded.
"How often does Iron Man fly into a hostage situation at the bank, Tony?!" Rhodes was pleading with the other man, wanting him to slow down and think.
"Who cares? I'm going to this one!" Tony argued back.
"Peter will care!" Rhodes insisted. "People will ask questions if Iron Man shows up to a hostage situation to save a teenage boy!"
"They can mind their own damn business!" Tony insisted. "May knows the truth now, so he doesn't really have to worry anyway. Better for people to find out that Iron Man is rescuing Spider-Man than for the kid to bleed out in there!"
"Stop, Tony! Assess the situation!" Rhodes continued to argue, sounding every bit like the military man he was. "You could only be putting him in more danger if you charge in there without more intel!"
This finally made Tony stop in his tracks. He didn't want to put Peter in more danger.
"I'm not saying you shouldn't go at all, Tony," Rhodes explained further. "I'm just reminding you to take some time... let's think this over, get all the facts, talk to May, and then put a plan in place."
Tony shook his head in agreement, silence overtaking him. He was rarely lost for words, but a lump had formed in his throat, getting in the way of any smart retorts to Rhodes.
"You're not the only one who cares about that kid, Tony," Rhodes said. "You have people who will help you get him out of there safely."
"Ok..." Tony agreed, forcing the words past the lump in his throat. "Ok..."
"Sir," FRIDAY said again. "You have multiple calls incoming. One from a Ned Leeds and the other from May Parker.
Tony pinched his nose, trying to figure out how this day had gone to shit. "Send a text to Leeds. Let him know that I know about Peter and will call him back. Answer the call from May Parker."
Tony took a breath, preparing for May to yell and ask him why he didn't have Peter out of there yet.
"Tony?" May's voice came through surprisingly calm. "Tony, listen. I saw the news. I watch all the time now that... now that I know what my boy likes to do in his spare time. I saw it! I saw what they did to my boy! I'm waiting for Happy, he called me first, and then we are going to the bank. I'm going to meet with whoever is in charge at the scene. I... I want you to stay back for now."
"What?! Excuse me?" Tony wasn't really mad, he was just genuinely confused.
"That is my kid inside that bank, Stark. He's hurt and he's in danger. The police will know what to do," she explained. "I... I know Peter is strong and..."
Tony heard her veiled panic through her words. She was trying to be calm. She was trying to find a way to take control in this situation. Something told Tony that she needed to feel like she had some control over how Peter was rescued. Tony wasn't sure how he felt about that. Control was kinda his thing. "May..." He tried to cut in, but she continued.
She started rambling a bit, "I'm not even sure why I had to call you at all. I thought you would be the first to call! Peter's friends and Happy reached me first! Ugh... that... that doesn't matter. I just... I just don't want you charging into that bank in that suit of Iron you like to wear. That could only make things worse for Peter! At least... just... don't charge in yet!"
Tony was shocked. Apparently "good news" traveled fast around here. He had only learned about this himself! How did so many people jump on this before him. He desperately wanted to get Peter out of there! He looked over to Rhodes who was giving him an I told you so look about not charging in yet.
Tony threw his hands in the air, "Fine! Apparently, I'm grounded... or Iron Man is at least. But... I'm coming down there!"
"Please, Tony! Don't!" May begged him. "These are bank robbers! Bank robbers want money! Peter Parker doesn't have much. Can you imagine if they can connect him to you? What they might do?"
Suddenly, the protests from the others made sense. He found himself wondering if Peter had managed to deposit that check. It would be better if he had. May was right. These men were clearly dangerous and desperate criminals. It could be very bad if they could connect Peter with him. He'd hate for the kid to be used as a bargaining chip any more than the men in that bank already would be.
"Fuck!" Tony cursed. "I hear you, May. I'll wait here, but..." he paused. "Please..."
"Either Happy or I will be in constant contact, Tony," May said. "I know... I know you and Peter are close. I'm not trying to cut you out, I promise. I'm... I'm just thinking of my boy." May was sniffling over the phone and Tony knew she was crying.
He felt sick, like he might actually throw up. "Ok, May. Go to the scene, and I'll be in touch. Rhodes and I will see what we can find out about the guys inside. Maybe we can get information that the police can't." He had to do something after all.
"Yes... that sounds like a plan. Thank you, Tony. I'll call you later." And with that, the call ended.
Rhodes was studying Tony carefully. "You going to be ok?" he asked his friend.
"I will be... as soon as Peter's safe," Tony replied. "Help me look into these guys, will you?"
"Sure thing, Tony." The two men made their way to an area of the room where Tony began pulling up screens.
FRIDAY was pulling up pictures and video from the scene that were being posted to the internet in hopes of getting as much information as possible. FRIDAY also found security footage of the men entering the building at the start of the attack. He and Rhodes worked alongside one another, trying to find anything that might reveal the faces of these men.
Tony sighed and looked over at his friend, "I just hope..."
"What?" Rhodes asked when Tony trailed off without finishing the thought.
"I hope these assholes don't figure it out," Tony replied.
Rhodes looked confused, "Figure what out?"
"That the kid they're holding is my one of my greatest weak spots," Tony clarified.
Rhodes gulped, "Yeah... let's hope not." Rhodes was more determined than ever to make sure his friend was very careful on how he got involved moving forward.
A/N: I have no idea if a Queen's National Bank exists or what it looks like. This is all a product of my wild imagination.
Remember to review. Those are greatly appreciated.
More on Peter's condition in the next chapter!