We're finally here. The last chapter...here we go!
(FLASHBACK)
The battlefield had gone silent, aside from crackling fire in some wreckage here and there, and with cries of the Avengers for their fallen.
In her arms, Ava still held a now lifeless Peter Parker. She lightly rocked with him, whispering her name in his ear every now and then.
It tore her inside to think she had to now live in a world without Spider-Man...a world without Peter.
Her Peter.
But then...
"Heartbeat detected!" FRIDAY exclaimed.
All heads came up and confusion and curiosity became one as they heard the AI's words.
Ava slowly lifted hers as she almost felt she dreamt what FRIDAY just said. "What?"
"Peter's heartbeat and life signs, they've returned!"
Almost instantly, Ava pressed her ear to Peter's chest and felt her heart jolt as she heard Peter's heartbeat once again. Albeit a faint one, but it was there still.
And then, it became clear to a few of them.
"The Spider DNA!" Jamie perked up, coming closer to his brother's body. "He has accelerated healing, it must be working."
With this new information, all eyes were now on Peter, hoping and praying. Especially from Ava.
'Come on Peter...come back to us...' she pleaded in her head. '...come back to me.'
And just as if he heard her, Peter's brow furrowed and his eyelids lightly shivered before slowly lifted and his eyes looked around.
"Hey guys." He said with a tired voice and smile.
On their faces, he saw relief, and tears. Seeing this confused him a little.
"What happened?" He asked curiously, eyeing all of them, "What, did someone kiss me?"
A laughter broke out from them at that, especially Tony(mostly because he remembered saying something similar to that when the Avengers first came together), and Ava who was laughing with tears of joy.
"Not yet, you brave idiot." Ava said before pulling Peter in for a hug like a big teddy bear.
He winced a bit as he was still in pain, but he hugged her back all the same.
"You scared the crap outta me, bro!" Jamie said as Ava finally let up on the hug.
From there, Peter was out of one hug and into another with his little brother. "Don't scare me like that again."
Just as he did with Ava, Peter hugged Jamie back to the best of his ability. And soon, everyone else came up, relieved and happy that their friend, leader, protégé, whatever he was to whoever, they were all glad that he was alive.
(Present Day)
That was two days ago.
Since then, a lot had happened for the team of Young heroes. The best being that the second Snap had worked! Everyone's family and half of all life in the universe had returned. Sure there was plenty confusion and temporary chaos, but it had all jumped on so that people could somehow readjust to this...this miracle that had happened to them all.
Needless to say, many families had been reunited. And none had been happier than the Next Avengers, the ones who fought so hard and desperately, not just for their families, bit for the families everywhere in the universe.
And Peter? Well, thanks to his new friend Amadeus Cho, he was helped by an old friend of the original team: Helen Cho. Doctor Helen Cho.
Helen had brought a new version of her invention, the CRADLE, to the states and saw to it that Peter's damage arm, shoulder and whatever else had been brutally damaged during the battle, had been tended to. And within hours, he was fully healed.
However, he was also given strict orders to stay in bed for the next 24 hours. But it wasn't all bad as he had Morgan to "get him water, juice, and snacks", "tuck him in", and "read him bedtime stories".
And the Twins would show up and spend some time with their brother and Morgan.
Plus, Ava FaceTimed him everyday to check in on him which ended up last almost three hours every time. Much to the annoyance of Happy at times, as he was the one who had the "night shift" of watching Peter that night. But all in all, it was just love.
And the texts and cards from all of the Avengers helped him heal emotionally as well.
So finally, when his "prison sentence" ended, he and the Starks had arranged a little reunion/gathering for the team's, both young and old, to relax and be together again.
Everyone had arrived and was socializing, but before he came in, Peter wanted them to see something. Something that was originally meant as a goodbye, but now was meant to be a thank you.
He asked Jamie and Riri to play a message foe them from his Iron Spider suit, which he had recorded the night before the Time Heist. So per his request, they all congregated in the cabin's living room and played the recording.
As it played and everyone watched it, Peter saw face become solemn and teary-eyed. He somewhat expected that but he was happy because the point had gotten across of how much they all meant to him, what being an Avenger meant to him. And that he loved them all...
Not long after, the message finally ended and it was time for Peter to make his appearance.
"That, uh..." All eyes looked to a now fully healed Peter as he stepped up and picked up the helmet. "That was a lot more emotional than I expected it to be. Hahaha!"
"No sh**, bro." Sam huffed in laughter.
"Language!" Steve and Jamie said at the same time. Everyone looked to them and laughed at that.
"Oh great. Cap's got a Mini Me." Tony joked as he stood from the couch.
More laughter came from that as the joke from 2015 was remembered by Steve saying "Language!"
Despite this, May walked right up her nephew and gave him a big hug and kiss on the cheek. "I'm so proud of you, sweetie."
"Thank you, May...for everything."
Ava watched the tender moment between the two and smiled. Truthfully, she wanted to be the first to run up to Peter. Hug him, maybe even kiss him. But she knew there were others who wanted to have their time with him first, so she stayed back and decided to wait for her time.
Then there was Tony.
He walked up to Peter and hugged him. Not just like a friendly hug, but like a proud father would his son. Apparently, they had gotten there. "Nice job, kid."
"Thank you...Tony. I couldn't have done it without you."
"True," the billionaire said, feigning vanity. Peter laughed laughed this and Pepper and May shook their heads as they walked up. "But really you did, Pete. And you had a lot of help from these cool kids too."
"Thanks to you."
Tony scoffed and shook his head, letting out a laugh, "Jeez this kid is humble. I keep trying to give him some credit and he throws it back at me. Not that I don't appreciate it, please don't stop! But still, give yourself some. Like, at least-"
"I'm gonna stop him right there," Pepper cut in with a big smile, "because if you say twelve percent, I will slap you, Tony."
More laughs were shared from that and more hugs came Peter's way, as did commendations from the older heroes to him and his team.
This was a nice icebreaker as the party now began.
As it did, Harley got a DING from his phone. Checking it, he saw the Uber Eats he ordered for the party was two minutes away.
"Food's almost here." He stated.
"Good, I'm starving!" Torunn said, rubbing her tummy.
"Same here!" PJ chimed in.
"What is the food going to be?" Thor asked.
"Oh, you'll see." Tony replied with a smile. Knowing there would be quite a few here for this get together, he and Harley ordered some food for them all. Of course, Tony paid, being the team's main beneficiary. "An old team favorite. "
"I've got a feeling I know what it is." Natasha said with a smirk. If memory severed her right, then it would be exactly that.
As they waited for the food, everyone talked and socialized. Some young ones spoke with older ones while other grown-ups spoke to grown-ups and kids/young adults spoke with...well, kids and young adults.
But not all of them.
Peter was outside in the front yard, watching and listening to the nature around him.
With his eyes closed, he felt the Ray's of sun dancing on his skin and the wind against the grass. It was beautiful to be able to stand in it and feel it...he almost wasn't here. And yet he was. So he was taking the initiative to enjoy it.
But then, his felt his neck and arm hairs stick up. Someone was there. And a smile hit his lips as he knew who it was.
"Getting some fresh air?" He heard someone ask.
"Yeah. It's something you don't realize is really precious; breathing." He turned and opened his eyes to see his close feline partner, Ava Ayala, standing there with a smile. "I'm glad I'm still able to."
"So am I," she said, stepping closer to him.
As she did, he couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked in the sunlight, or in her cute summer attire. A nice square neck green floral one, at that. And a nice pair of sandals as well.
Quite a vision of beauty.
"Enjoying the view, Peter?"
Peter blinked rapidly, coming back to reality and saw Ava looking at him with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. Realizing he'd been asked a question - one he didn't hear that well - he replied, "Hm?"
Ava laughed at him and decided to tease him some more. "Take a picture, Parker. It'll last longer."
And then it hit him. She had caught him staring at her. His heart hurt as he felt a crack in it as fear and worry set it.
"Oh my go-, I'm so sorry, Ava!" He choked, flustered and embarrassed at himself, "I didn't mean to be like a pervert! I just-...I-"
"Peter, calm down!" Ava laughed, taking him by the shoulders and shaking her head. "My god, you are still too easy! Haha!"
The spider-man exhaled with MAJOR relief and gave a nervous laugh. "You have gotta stop doing that to me, I was really scared there."
"Never gonna happen." The latina winked at him before giggling which gained a laugh from him.
Soon, that died down and they both began to listen to the nature around them. As they did though, Ava realized that this was the perfect moment to speak to Peter on...certain things. Important things... something she felt strongly about. But how? How could she break it to Peter?
She wasn't the type to be so open about her feelings to begin with, except for with the girls. But this was different. This was Peter. He friend. Close friend, given all they had been through. So how?...
An idea soon popped into her head, a way to break the ice.
"That was...uh, a very...nice, and heartfelt message you had back there." She said, getting Peter to look at yet again. "Sure packed a heavy one."
In reply, Peter nodded and gave a small smile. "I just wanted to make that in case...well, you know."
Knowing how strong he was trying to be, Ava softened him up by rubbing his arm and giving him a small smile back. "I know...I'm glad you're still here, though, Peter...I really am."
There was something within her words that hit Peter's heart. Something...strong, deep. Something he had within him as well.
That smile became a little bigger as he replied, "So am I, Ava...so am I."
The smiles turned into light blushes as the two looked at one another, then they would look away, and repeat the pattern again.
Seeing this as a chance, Ava laughed and had an idea: another tease at Peter. Of course.
"So," she began, "you 'love' my 'tenacious spirit', huh?"
Hearing that, Peter's eyes went wide and the look on his face made Ava giggle even more.
"Oh, haha! Yeah," he replied with a nervous chuckle. But he did just admit it. "That, uh, that wasn't too much, was it?"
"It was, but I'll let it slide this time. No, I'm kidding." Ava joked, making Peter laugh to which she joined in. "Nah, it's okay. I liked it. It was a...very nice, and interesting compliment."
The blush on Peter just got brighter as he tried to explain. "Well, I was trying to find something tough and...uh, well tough, that would match your persona. And that seemed to fit."
That was sweet. Ava nodded with a smile at that. "Well, thank you. And?"
"And what?"
"You were about to say something else after 'tough' but you stopped at "and". So what were you going to say, Peter?" She gave that raised eyebrow as she asked, the teasing tone still very much there.
Now, Peter's nerves were shaking and he realized he was at the point of no return. The truth or bust...
"Beautiful." He said, looking her right in her eyes. "I was going to say 'equally beautiful'. Your strength and your spirit, it...it adds to your amazing persona, and its pretty...yeah, beautiful."
Ava felt her heart flutter at hearing that compliment and felt the blush rising to her cheeks as well. "Well you, Peter Parker, are sweet. And cute. And weird. And a nerd, hehehe!"
She laughed at her quip and Peter smirked with a look of Chandler from FRIENDS. "Oh no, please, go on."
And Ava did. "Crazy. Brave. A bit of a dork. But all of those are what make me like you...and more."
It was that "more" that Peter caught to most...
"More?" He asked.
This was it...the moment. 'Trust fall time,' Ava said to herself.
Taking a breath, she took the next step. "A lot more..."
"So what does that mean for us?"
"What do you want it to mean?"
Peter shrugged and still blushed up a storm, he was almost as red as his suit would be. "That we're...together?"
At that, Ava's heart burst with joy at that and a big smile grew. "I'd like that...if that's okay with you."
She stepped a little closer to Peter, her eyes glancing at his lips before swiftly looking back to his eyes.
Peter did the same, stepping even closer, glancing down at the latina's lips and back to her eyes. "More than okay."
With no more words, the two heroes slowly leaned in and closed the gap between them as their lips connected.
A tingly feeling went all through Peter's body as he brought his hands to Ava's hips. As he did this though, a warmth swirled from her heart all around her insides. She was loving this.
Copying him, she brought her hands to his neck and pulled him in closer, deepening the kiss.
And within that kiss, it was more than just their second kiss. It was a promise, a partnership...a bond. One that would prove essential in the future.
Finally, the kiss broke and the two leaned their foreheads against one another, taking minor deep breaths.
"Well, that was nice!" Peter said with a shy smile.
"Damn right," Ava replied with a giggle.
He loved that sound. Her laugh. Corny as it was, he did. And he hoped to make her laugh and smile like that more often.
Enjoying this moment, Peter brought his hands and arms the rest of the way up and pulled her in a hug, one she returned immediately.
A comfortable, fluff-filled hug.
It was a great moment, one they wished would never end...but...
"You guys look so cute!"
They broke apart and looked back to the cabin to see Kamala and Sam standing there with crap-eating grins.
"Please tell you you got that." Kamala begged her boyfriend.
"Oh, I got it alright!" Sam said victoriously, having stopped recording.
"Yes! SpiderTiger for the win, baby!" Kamala cheered.
Back with the new couple, Ava huffed a laugh and shook her head while Peter was a littlw confused. "SpiderTiger?"
"Oh, it's a ship name she made for us." Ava explained.
Understanding what that meant, Peter nodded. "Hmm, I like it."
"Me too. I'll be back, I'm gonna go kill Sam." She said, kissing him once more before running towards the two.
Seeing her coming at them, Sam immediately passed the phone to Kamala and took off running. "IT WAS HER IDEA!" He cried out.
"Hey Ava," Kamala said as the latina ran past her, going STRAIGHT for her prey.
"Hey Kamy! Just wait til I get my hands on you, Alexander!"
"Don't hurt him too bad!" The fangirl laughed as she saw Ava disappear around the corner.
Peter had joined her on the porch and he too was laughing.
"We both have interesting relationships, huh, Peter?"
"You said it," he replied with a nod.
[HONK x2]
The two looked and saw a van pulling up. As soon as it stopped though, Harley, Riri, and Cassie came out of the cabin. "That's the food!" The mechanic said.
To their surprise, it was an older man who stepped out of the car. Possibly mid-to-late 70s from the looks of it.
In his hand was a phone and he seemed to be reading something. "Hi! Order for...Hailey Keener?"
A snicker of laughter came from the girls and Peter at that. What a mix-up.
"Oh, no. I-" Harley tried to correct him, but...
"Yes! You got it!" Riri cut in, smiling with full on giddiness, "this is Hailey Keener!"
Before Harley could object, Riri had gone down to get the food and Peter, Kamala, and Cassie came down to help. Whilst Harley rolled his eyes and joined in.
"Food's here!" They said as the brought it into the cabin, setting it down in the kitchen.
"What is it?" Jane asked curiously.
"Shawarma!" Tony and Harley said at the same time.
"I knew it!" Natasha said, raiding her hand, "Tony pretty much gave it away."
"That a complaint, Romanoff?" The billionaire teased.
Normally, she would have pursued this match with Tony. But, "Not this time, Stark. It brings back memories."
Tony nodded in agreement with his friend. It definitely did bring back some good memories.
Once they got it all in the cabin, they thanked the driver and he left. But not before Riri called out to him, "Thank you for that name!"
Of course, Harley was right next to her and she patted his shoulder as she cracked up.
"Never letting that go, by the way." She said, walking over to Cassie, who was already laughing too. "Hey Cassie, have you met my friend, Hailey?"
"I haven't!" Cassie replied, going with it and enjoying it. PJ too, he was laughing up a storm with it.
Meanwhile, Harley, unable to hold it, joined in with the laughter too.
"Welcome to the family, Harls," the young Lang said.
And it was true. A family they were. All of them. Jokes and all.
A little later, after a good and hearty dinner, Tony invited the guests to come outside for "a little treat".
But before he did, Peter broke off to use the bathroom.
"I'll meet you out there," he told Ava.
"Okay, I'll save you a spot," she sweetly replied.
They pecked lips once more before going their separate ways. Peter was happy he could have this with Ava, as was she.
She never thought she could feel like this about anyone ever, but now she had Peter and that was everything.
Once he finished in the bathroom and washed his hands, Peter began to head for the outside.
"Having a good time, Mister Parker?" A voice behind him said, just before he reached the door.
Looking back, there was a man seated at the dining table. He was an older man, mid-to-late 60s or so. Bald. Eye patch.
Peter knew who he was, having read about him in files. The former director of SHIELD. Nick Fury.
"Mr. Fury."
"No, just Fury is fine." The man corrected him.
Peter nodded at that, respectfully. "Was there something you wanted, sir?"
"There is. I wanted to commend you on your victory. And on your speedy recovery as well."
Taking that with a hint of pride, Peter nodded. "Thank you, sir. But I couldn't have done it without my friends...any of it."
"Humility. A good quality in a leader. We need more of that."
After that, Fury stood up and walked up to the Spider-Man. "You and your friends have created quite the buzz in the world. A lot of people are elated that you've brought back their loved ones. Others, not so much."
Peter knew this. To his confusion, not everyone was happy with the return of those lost. Some even said it was better the way it was. Unbelievable.
"What does that mean for us?" Peter asked.
"Means you kids are the backup to the world's greatest heroes," Fury replied. There was some pride in his tone as he said this. It was the same pride he had in the first team of Avengers. "Don't let the sh** people say to knock you down get to you. Being a hero is a hard job. Comes with a lotta pressure and a lot of responsibility. But something tells me that you and your friends already understand that."
Peter nodded in agreement. "We do."
"Good," Fury said, walking past him.
"Sir?" Peter called out, making Fury halt and look back at him. "If something happens and we have to protect the world again...we will. Even if it means we'll have to die trying."
Fury could tell by his tone that Peter's words were genuine. And he already knew from what he'd heard that the same was for the rest of the Next Avengers. "Then the battle's half won. Spider-Man."
And with that, he headed for the door.
With a content smile, Peter bid him farewell. "See you around, Fury."
"Oh, yes you will," the man said just before he stepped out. Looking to Peter, he pointed to his eye, "I'll be keeping an eye on you kids."
They both smiled at that and Peter laughed a little. "Haha, nice pun, sir!"
And with that, Fury walked out. As he did, Peter felt that that man would prove to be a great ally to him and his team one day...just as he was in the past to the original Avengers.
Now that that was over, Peter resumed his previous course and headed outside with the others.
When he did, he was welcomed by music and the sight of people dancing. Some together as couples, and some in groups. Ava caught sight of him and motioned for him to join in. He jumped in and began dancing with her. Even when another song came on that required some slow dancing, the two came together and danced in harmony to that as well.
As did Jamie and Torunn, Harley and Cassie, Maddie and Viv, and Frankie and Kate(thanks to Kate begging him and him finly giving in).
And the adult couples danced too. It was a wonderful sight for those watching, to see this happiness occurring before them.
Thirty minutes or so later, the music was stopped to enjoy the beautiful show of fireworks above.
To enjoy it even more, some of the couples got a blanket or a towel and sat on the ground together.
Peter and Ava shared one, of course. As did Jamie and Torunn while Nikki shared one with her parents. Thor and Jane shared one with her in his lap. Harley shared one with Cassie...with Scott and Hope chaperoning of course. And naturally, PJ was with them.
Some stayed in their lawn chairs like Tony and Pepper, Sam, Bucky, Wanda, Viv and Maddie, etc. Regardless, they were all enjoying themselves.
As the fireworks continued, Ava kissed Peter's cheek, earning a blush and a shocked look from her new boyfriend. Boyfriend. Peter Parker was her boyfriend. How lucky she was.
The blush on Peter's face soon turned into a smile as he returned the gesture, earning a happy smile from his girlfriend.
She then laid her head on his shoulder and he laid his atop hers, but also interlocking their fingers together.
As they did this, though, Peter couldn't help but look around to everyone. The families and friends reunited, the smiles on their faces, the love being shown. It was a joy to have this time together like this.
His gaze finally came to Jamie and Torunn, and his little brother just so happened to be looking at him. Seeing this, Peter smiled and nodded to him. To which Jamie nodded back and gave his big brother a thumbs up and pounding over his heart, earning a bigger smile from Peter. He knew what it meant. His little brother loved him, and he love him back too.
They were happy and content in this moment. With their family, friends, and loved ones. This was a time they never thought they'd see or live in. Yet, here they were.
After so many years of pain, sorrow, there was now happiness among them. At last, they now had peace.
And that, ladies and gents, is the last chapter of The Next Avengers: The Legend...wow. I can't believe I'm here at the end of it. This has been a big part of my life this two year journey with this story, these characters and this plot. Sorry it took so long to finish it, but...it means a lot to me that throughout the time on this fic, you all have show your support and love for the story and these kids...and I really appreciate it. I really do.
Per your request, and my desire to continue, this series will continue. Solo stories until we reach the second Next Avengers story. So the next one up is The Captain And The Black Widow, Jamie and Nikki's solo story...and I think you'll like what I have in store, hehehe😁. I hope 😅.
It might take a little bit before I post it, but it will be up within the next three weeks to a month or so. Hopefully you guys will still WANT to read it by then. But yeah, it'll be here soon. Promise! 👍
Thank you all again for your love and support on this again, pls lmk what you thought of this last chapter! The jokes, the callbacks, the setup for the future, the SPIDERTIGER KISS/CONFESSION! 😆😆😂I love it all! And I hope you guys did too.
Well guys...that's all for now. Thank you all again, and I'll see you soon. 😌
Laters! ✌ 😊