It had been a few more days after Bruce had found out, and Natasha was painfully aware of how often Peter got hurt because of Flash. With every hour, every day, she wanted nothing more than to kill Flash. The only thing stopping her was, of course, Peter.
Eventually, she broke. Natasha saw Peter to his room after another beating, and she strode into a conference room.
"Friday," She commanded, "Call all of the Avengers into this conference room. Tell them it's an emergency." She sat down at a chair as several people trickled into the room.
Miss, Boss has declared that 'nothing is more important than his current activities. Friday spoke above the chattering in the room, and Natasha huffed.
Feeling a wave of confidence, she said,"Tell him it involves Peter."
At that, the room hushed and all eyes were on Natasha. Tony ran into the room a second later, collapsing into a seat and demanding to know what was wrong. Speaking slowly as to let it all sink in, she began.
"I'm sure others know by now, but Peter has been coming home with bruises and excuses as to why the happened. Some of us know the true causes of these. All that do, raise your hand."
Steve, Wanda, Clint, Sam, and Bruce raised their hands along with Tasha. She nodded.
"Now the rest of you. Bucky, Tony, Thor, and Pietro." (Yes he is alive in this. I am aware of Marvel's decision to kill him, but I've elected to ignore it.)
The people mentioned raised their heads slightly, and listened closely to the assassin's next words.
"Before I tell you, I recommend not doing anything rash or that you will regret in the future. Peter, the light of out world, has been being bullied by some spoiled brat. Peter wants me to keep this fact a secret, but for benefit of his health I have decided to tell you."
Tony glanced murderously around the room before leaning back and sighing. "Who was the first to find out?"
Sam grimaced and raised his hand. "I was. Before you ask, I found out by finding him in the bathroom in the school, the crap beaten out of him. I helped him to the car."
Wanda interrupted. "I object. I was the first. I knew he was distracted, and so I thought 'what if it's a girl? Blackmail!' so naturally I dug into his brain as you do and saw the bully. I saw all of his injuries, prior or current to that moment."
Bucky raised his voice. "And how did the rest of you guys find out?"
Clint wordlessly pointed to Natasha. Bruce did, too, not wanting to reveal the details. Steve chuckled humorlessly as he remembered.
"Pete was making his way over to me, when the other kid went to punch Peter. While they were exchanging words beforehand, I had a crowd around me, so I tried to escape the crowd to see Peter. I got there just as the jerk threw the punch, and I blocked it. I pretty much threatened him, but I guess that wore off fast."
Glancing at Wanda before he spoke, Pietro cleared his throat and began. "So what are we planning to do, exactly? We can't kill the boy, but is severely injuring him an option? Are we going now?" Pietro and Peter were like brothers, in that they hung out together and bickered constantly.
Grinning nearly manically, Tony said,"Not before we've contacted a few people. I think a certain wizard and royalty deserve to partake in the activities, yes? They'd bring creative ways to the table, certainly."
Bringing the conversation to an end, Natasha and Bucky went to retrieve the people mentioned.
As people dispersed, Bucky used Friday to call none other than T'challa and Shuri, royalty of Wakanda. Bucky cleared his throat before he told the pair what had happened. You could hear a stern voice in the background yelling orders to get a jet ready. Before he ended the call, T'challa gravely stated that they would be there within the next few hours.
Natasha, meanwhile, was making her way downtown to see Steven Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts. Right after she knocked on the door, she was ushered in the building by an average height male who was steadily going bald.
"Strange has been expecting you, although he acts as though he doesn't know your purpose." The man said, "Your fate is obscured, Natasha Romanoff. It's as if no one quite knows what to do with you."
After the man spoke his piece, he let Natasha inside.
She stepped into a lobby that had a lofty ceiling, with a grand staircase directly in front of her. On the upper floor an oddly shaped window let bronze light drift down and reach the ground level floor.
Natasha's gaze was directed to Steven Strange as he slowly floated down the staircase, a red cape billowing out behind him as if it had a life of its own. He nodded to Natasha. "Natalia, it truly is an honor."
The Black Widow nodded back. "The honor is all mine, Doctor."
"What is your purpose?" Strange asked.
"In life or of my coming here?" Natasha retorted dryly. A hard stare from the doctor and she answered his question. "You know Peter, correct?" After a nod of confirmation from Steven she continued, "It has come to our knowledge that someone from Peter's school has been bullying him."
"I have met him a few times and he certainly seems endearing, but pray tell how this involves me, and what you plan to do about this issue." Natasha saw an evil shine come to his eyes when she mentioned a bully.
"We have not yet planned what is overreacting and what is acceptable, and we could use the, ah, creative devices at your disposal." She responded.
Strange smirked. "Count me in. The kid must have been stupid to pick on someone with heroes on his side."
Natasha laughed, though it held no emotion, and said, "Oh Doctor, you're mistaken. To him we aren't heroes. To Peter, we're family, and family is a lot more scary in situations like this."
What do you think? Sorry about the slow updates. Any scenes you want in the next chapter? Let me know! Your opinions and thoughts won't be ignored!