Celluloid Heroes

Part 4.

Captain Spider fiddled with the piece of colorful plastic in his hand. U.S. Agent handed it to him after the police dragged Rhino away. It was a one-time guest pass to Avengers Mansion.

When Iron Fist was giving him the last instructions, he warned the wall-crawler not to get his hopes up. "Their invitation is nothing more than glorified backstage pass. You won't be able to see anything top secret, which is only to be expected. You are the rookie hero with no reputation to speak of, and the Avengers want to know more. Keeping an eye on the new players is necessary for survival in a world full of bad guys. Don't ask too many questions, and you'll be OK."

Captain Spider crossed the large courtyard with low hanging trees and fountains and walked up to the front door of the Avengers Mansion. To his amazement, the massive oaken door opened all by itself.

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Reed Richards pulled away from the microscope.

The research in the field of dimensional traveling was no longer his priority. Reed was tirelessly examining the samples of his blood and soft tissue, hoping to understand the nature of his mutation and create a cure.

So far Richards had more questions than answers. Somehow the exposure to the unstable portal's energies altered his body without killing him. It contradicted everything he's been taught about biology.

Ten years ago you'll say the same about the X-Gene.

The elevator bell rang, startling Richards.

Ben Grimm entered the lab with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. A huge mischievous grin spread across his weathered face once he saw Reed.

"What's all this I hear about your accident?" Ben bellowed, slapping Reed's back, "Serves you right for not waiting for me."

The scientist couldn't help but smile in return. My best friend is back, and there's nothing we cannot achieve together.

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Scarlet Witch covered her mouth trying to hide a yawn.

She was never fond of the official ceremonies. But U.S. Agent wanted a formal introduction of New York's newest hero to Avengers, and roped her into organizing a welcoming committee, along with Azazel, Jackie Frost, Mongoose and Red Raven.

Wanda envied the lucky Avengers who dodged a bullet by participating in the long-term missions.

Next time I'm asked to patrol Hell's Kitchen, I'll accept right away.

Jackie Frost animatedly spoke to Azazel at the far left end of the hall. Jackie had long white hair with strands of blue; her costume looked both practical and sexy. Azazel wore a wide-brimmed hat and a long trench coat that flowed as he moved, but the clothes did little to hide his demonic visage.

She saw Mongoose and Red Raven leaning against the thick marble column. Red Raven was gesturing wildly, probably telling Mongoose about a new version of his flying harness. It looked more bulky than usual; Red Raven was still trying to make it hover. His best friend Mongoose opted for a lighter version of his usual camouflage outfit.

U.S. Agent and Battlestar already went to the entrance hall to meet the guest. Together they were quite a sight. Battlestar came straight from Sci-Fi movie; his futuristic armor was gleaming in the bright light of the chandelier. U.S. Agent wasn't as spectacular as his armored friend, but he was still a force to be reckoned with.

When Captain Spider finally showed up, Jackie Frost waited until the end of the obligatory introductory speech and temporary left her demonic companion to take a good look at the rookie hero. After giving him a quick once-over, Jackie went straight to Wanda.

"So, Maximoff, have you noticed anything… interesting about our guest?"

Scarlet Witch replied stoically, not rising to the bait, "I'm not a fashion columnist, but I'd change the mask. The one he is wearing isn't covering enough of his face."

"Maximoff, you are hopeless. Any other red-blooded female will stop to check him out. That outfit is very form-fitting," Jackie giggled and added in a stage whisper, "Maybe you can volunteer to show him the ropes."

Jackie Frost turned into the matchmaker from hell, and I'm her target? Where's that mission in Hell's Kitchen when you need it?

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"That won't do," Melvin Potter stopped the rehearsal of the fight scene and gestured for Mary-Jane to sheathe her rapier. "I can't teach you anything if your mind is elsewhere."

MJ was at her wits' end trying to figure out how to deal with Simon Williams and his unwelcome advances. The redhead tried everything short of kneeing him in the groin to make it clear she isn't interested, but he was persistent in his pursuit.

What to do, what to do...

MJ liked Betty Brant but she wasn't close enough to Jameson's assistant to ask her for the advice. And it wasn't hard to predict the outcome of her Williams was too valuable to fire him. The media is ecstatic about Super-Patriot played by the real-life superhero. If Mr. Jameson will be forced to choose between her and Wonder Man, the choice is oblivious.

That's why she said nothing to anyone and suffered in silence. MJ was an expert in bottling things up, so it worked… until today's rehearsal when Melvin Potter noticed her anxiety.

"Miss Watson," he said, "Whatever happened to you, if it affects the movie, it's no longer your problem. It's ours."

His simple words broke through her defenses. Much to her horror, MJ told him everything.

The actor's face hardened, "Damn it, I knew it was a mistake to hire that peacock," he ran his hand through his hair. "I'll try to work something out with J.J.

And you… don't take any crap from Wonderboy. If he becomes too persistent, find Betty Brant and stay with her. He won't dare to try anything in public, not if he values his image and career."

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Flash Thompson allowed himself one last glance at the Trophy Hall.

The walls were lined with hundreds of newspaper clippings devoted to the exploits of the Avengers. Each pedestal contained a trophy gathered by the team over the years. Gorgon's battle gauntlets, the prototype of Mandroid's strength enhancing suit, the Orichalcum Orb awarded to Avengers for solving the Conundrum of Annihilus, the flying motorcycle of the first U. and the custom-made revolvers of Phantom Raider. The most notable part of the collection was a severed leg of Red Ronin; the Japanese mech's limb almost reached the ceiling.

Considering the fact Flash Thompson was never invited to the headquarters of the superhero team before, he could play the part of a wide-eyed rookie very naturally.

If they wanted to make sure I'm impressed, they succeeded.

The next stop after the Trophy Hall was the Room of Challenges. As Mongoose explained, the room was created to provide Avengers with means to train. When Flash was offered to give it a go, his enthusiasm wasn't feigned.

At first the wall-crawler went through a series of drills. It was a test of his strength, speed and agility.

Mongoose asked, "Now, ready for the hard part?"

"Bring it on!"

The computer voice said, "Scenario 95, codename Jumanji activated. Starting in 10, 9, 8... 6, 5... 3, 2, 1..."

"What the…" Flash mused as the entire world around him shifted into a tropical jungle. He could hear the birds singing; the wind was gently caressing his face.

"Your goal is to get out of the jungle. You must find the clearing ten miles to the south. Beware; there are a lot of traps and unfriendly critters waiting for you. Now, get moving! "

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While Flash Thompson was making his way through the artificial jungle, Peter Parker was looking for him on the other side of the city.

The editor of Daily Bugle promised monetary reward to any photographer able to provide the paper with good photos of spider-themed hero. Double if the photographer manages to get a shot of new hero in action.

Peter Parker thought he had a good plan. Instead of chasing after the elusive superhero through New York, he decided to look for any clues that can lead to his whereabouts. It wasn't hard to figure out the only place where the hero stayed for more than five minutes – the Baxter Building.

Peter sneaked into the building through the emergency exit. He was already daydreaming about buying the new camera, when Parker Luck has struck again – Peter stumbled upon the tall man with a briefcase.

A flash of silver light, a brief feeling of vertigo – and Peter found that he was no longer in the lobby. He was mysteriously transported to the biggest lab he had ever seen. Flailing blindly to keep himself from falling, Peter accidentally grabbed the man's briefcase. The briefcase opened, and the papers flew out. The breeze created by air conditioners quickly scattered them.

Peter Parker gasped as he recognized the man. He was sure he looked like a kid who got caught in the cookie jar.

That's not how I wanted to meet Reed Richards.

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"Just a thought - if Wanda went ballistic because Wonder Man cheated on her, shouldn't we be on the lookout for his possible love interest?"

The bugs they planted had yet to unearth anything significant, so Darwin and Yelena Belova set up a video conference with New York. They were going over the possible complications that can occur during the mission.

The mutant added thoughtfully, "What if we don't have to risk our lives? What if stopping the tryst from happening is all we need to do?"

"According to Raza, he was sniffing around the actress who plays Spitfire," Yelena said with a small crease of her brow, "Her name is Mary-Jane Watson. But she didn't respond to his advances, at least not yet."

"No way!" Nico exclaimed, letting out a snort of amusement. "First Jameson, now MJ Watson? Talk about coincidence! Now all we need is the local version of Peter Parker to make an appearance."

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"Young man, what do you do for a living?"

Peter blinked owlishly; the question caught him off guard.

"I'm..." his voice betrayed him, "I'm a freelance photographer in Daily Bugle."

"It's a surprising choice of the career for a young man capable of finding the error in my calculations."

After Reed Richards interrogated Peter and decided the visitor is harmless, he asked to help with gathering the pieces of papers scattered by the wind. The young man quickly agreed, happy he doesn't have to deal with the police. When Peter caught the last piece of paper, he briefly glanced at it and noticed there's something wrong with formula. Reed was skeptical but agreed to check it out. As a result, he discovered a fundamental flaw in his calculations.

Peter gulped, "I… I was an assistant of Doctor Connors." He lowered his head after seeing the recognition in physicist's eyes. Now he knows...

"I've heard about poor Kurt's fate. A tragic tale, indeed. And I can see how it can impede your career," Reed rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"May I go?" Peter didn't want another person to remind him of his short career.

"Certainly. If you want to spend your life trying to get a good picture, it's your call. I can't pressure you into anything," Richards reassured him. "Or you can try to change the picture. It takes a sharp mind to notice the flaw in my formula. It takes guts to confront me about it. As my new assistant, you'll need both. "

"Assistant? But I... Doctor Connors..."

Reed made a dismissive gesture, "If my colleagues are superstitious as the bunch of old maids, it's their loss. I have to warn you – just because I have the power to teleport, I'm not going to play superhero, so don't get used the role of sidekick."

Peter grinned, "I wouldn't be caught dead wearing spandex."