Last time in Rise the Broken...
Peter choked on the sound of distress that had wanted to escape. The sound of pain from seeing one of the only people that cared die.
He didn't even hear the sound of metal on rock. Didn't see the guns, all but two, swivel in one direction. Didn't feel the slight breeze kicked up by their entrance.
"Don't tell me you started the party without us?"
When Peter heard the obviously rhetorical question, he was startled, not having seen their arrival like the others.
"I don't see how that's a party." A monotone woman's voice.
"Now is not the time for jokes. Let's bag and tag, team." This came as a strong declare, demanding respect and compliance. The leader.
Peter was finally able to process just who had come flying in through the windowless gaps in between the floor and the ceiling of the lot.
Ironman, Black Widow, and Captain America.
If Peter wasn't in such a delicate situation, he might have just fainted on the spot. After all, it's not every day your idol and a super soldier from WWII are in the same room as you.
That wasn't important, though, as Captain America threw his shield and the signal for the fight to begin was off. It was hardly all that much of a fight, though.
Cap's shield hit Jacobs, and he was instantly down. Bullets and slightly heavier-in-caliber blasts from the Hydra agents were shot at the three Avengers. There was no effect. It seemed mere child's play to the trio as they easily took down the small amount of enemies. Ironman blasted the four from Hydra, the Captain took out the guard that was next to Jacobs and Cigar along with his two lackeys, and Widow expertly handled the three by Hawkeye and himself. Unconscious bodies littered the floor. All unconscious, except two. Two were dead.
Peter picked up his discarded webshooters and slipped them on.
"Why did all three of you come? Its a little much." Hawkeye grumbled with a raised eyebrow.
"I had your coordinates. I had to come." Ironman snarked.
"I wanted to." The ever vague Widow.
"I'm just making sure these two don't rip each other's throats out. Tony isn't the easiest to get on with." Captain sighed.
"Hey! I'll have you know I have a way more approachable personality than the Widow." Stark crossed his arms.
"What took so long anyway? I though you were better than a three day delay, Stark. My Grandmother could found me faster than you." Hawkeye teased.
"Quit complaining, birdie, at least you got a rescue. You were obviously out of your league on this one. Couldn't take out a few side goons on your own? That explains how you were captured so easily. Tranqed while you were-" The laughing Ironman was cut off.
"Hey! I'll have you know I'm super skilled! They just... caught me on an off moment... and I couldn't fight back here. If I did, the kid might have been shot." Hawkeye gestured towards Spider-Man.
"I'm not a kid." Said hero mumbled awkwardly.
What teen wouldn't be a bid uncertain in the presence of for of the 'World's Greatest Heroes'?
Captain America stepped forward, "How did you get wrapped up with these guys, son? Who are you?"
Spider-Man shrugged, "I'm Spider-Man, and they kinda just captured me."
"I've heard of you. That new vigilante, right? I hear Jameson is really tearing into you, especially the last few days." This was Ironman.
"I guess so?" Peter wasn't sure what to say about that. He hadn't exactly been around the for the last day and a half of that, and he didn't even pay attention to it before.
Spider-Man was getting uncomfortable at that point. "Umm, I should probably go..." he gestured vaguely in the direction of the windowless openings.
"Wait, your not hurt are you? Maybe you should wait for an ambulance to check you over." Captain worried.
Peter appreciated the sentiment, but he really had to go. Eating and showering were top priority. "I'll be fine." Spidey turned away only to have his arm grabbed by Hawkeye.
Bad move. "He's right, you looked hurt in that cell. You also have to have your statement taken, since you were in more direct communication with our captors superiors than I wah-!" Hawkeye didn't even finish the sentence as Spidey grabbed his arm and flipped the archer over his shoulder. He landed in a dazed heap. The other three Avengers tensed.
(Gah! Around this part I subconsciously switched to first person and had to go back and fix it... it's because of my other stupid story... T-T)
"Oh my gosh- I am so sorry!" Peter backed away from Hawkeye, his hands raised in an 'I surrender' kind of way. "I really didn't mean to, it's just I don't like to be touched, and when it happens without warning I panic and kinda just... flip out..." Spider-Man didn't even have the heart to laugh at his own pun in his sincerity. He really didn't mean it, it's just ever since what happened with his Aunt he's been kinda jumpy around human contact, with how his trust had been shattered. He didn't even hand cash directly to the cashier in grocery stores.
His explanation seemed to pacify the three more recent arrivals, and Hawkeye sat up, rubbing his shoulder. "Damn, kid, that's some toss ya got there. Totally caught me unawares." Then he stood.
"Bet that didn't take much, eh Legolas?" Tony commented flippantly.
"Can it Stark, before I kick your can." Hawkeye growled.
Cap rolled his eyes at their antics. Meanwhile, Spidey noticed Widow was watching him closely, as if analyzing his possible skill and power.
Peter shuddered. He felt like a bug under a microscope. Or rather, an arachnid.
Then he heard sirens sound in the distance. "There's backup. Let's get this show on the road." Captain informed as cars started up the ramps at the bottom of the lot.
Spider-Man figured that was his cue, and before anyone could so much as protest, he was swinging away. Just another day as your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
As this though crossed the web swinger's mind, the police and ambulances pulled up into the lot, Sirens and flashing lights blaring and ablaze. In all the ruckus, nobody noticed one of the "unconscious" figures on the ground stand and slip away until it was too late. Jacobs remains free as a bird, and is out for revenge, determined to finish what he started.
You thought he'd be in the group just like that? XD Nah, I gotta make ya wait a little. Hopefully what happens in this story isn't too poorly written.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
When Peter woke up the next day, he was definitely feeling the hurt from the previous days' activities. And by 'activities', he meant beatings, plus the strain of everything after. The swing home had been hell. After making a quick PB&J, the teen had collapsed onto his bed and promptly passed out.
Now he was regretting that decision. He should have done something to ease his strained muscles first. Now it was too late and he would have to deal with it for the rest of the day.
Peter felt a twinge on his face, and carefully felt the area the burning came from. His jaw stung immensely. The teen carefully made his way downstairs and to the bathroom. He wiped the dust off of the mirror, cleaning away the message to the three boys. That felt like it had happened weeks ago, but in reality, it had only been a couple days.
Peter winced when he saw his face in the mirror. His jaw on the left side of his face was a mess of purple, blue, and green. The boy hadn't had the chance to inspect his injuries after that beating since Hawkeye was around. Even so, he didn't think it was this bad. Peter didn't doubt for a second his healing factor wasn't working as fast as normal because he hadn't eaten much the past few days. He would have to eat a good breakfast.
Peter left the house and arrived at the public bath house soon after. He took care of the normal morning bathroom routine and went to the cafe. This time, he ordered a coffee, three pancakes, and a side of bacon. Peter was grateful this was a privately owned cafe. The food here was actually food, not that disgusting fast food slop that's made by the dozens.
(Ever try McDonald's Pancakes? Even I could do better, and I can't even make scrambled eggs right)
Peter felt a little better after breakfast, and although he was a little uncomfortable by the stares the waitress kept shooting at his discolored jaw, he felt at peace. The walk through the park on the way back to the house only contributed to his mood. He was so lost in thought, he didn't notice the slight tingle of his spidey sense until it was too late, and he had crashed head-on with a jogger.
The runner, being the bigger of the two, only stubbled back a few feet. Peter, on the other hand, was thrown back like a sac of potatoes, and being the elegant teenager he was, he tripped over his own feet and fell on his butt. Peter gasped as his bruises were aggravated, but swallowed the groan of pain that wanted freedom.
"I am so sorry, are you okay? I wasn't paying attention, so I didn't see you until... Are you hurt?" The blonde jogger exclaimed apologetically as he helped Peter to his feet.
"No, no, I'm fine. And you don't have to apologize, I'm to blame too. I wasn't looking where I was going. To off in my own world to think straight." Peter averted his eyes nervously as he anxiously twiddled his thumbs.
The blonde laughed, and Peter looked up in shock. "It figures that out of all the days we pass each other that we're both out of it on the same day. Are you sure you're okay, though? That's quite the nasty bruise you got there."
"Yeah." Peter answered absently. That voice sounded familiar... and now that he thought of it, the man looked familiar as well. Wait.
Peter mentally drew an American flag on the older male.
Captain America.
Peter had been walking past Captain Freaking America every day, and never even realized it.
"I mean, yeah, I'm fine. Just fell, ya know? I'm really clumsy at times... as you can see..." Peter had amended when the Avenger out of disguise gave him a concerned look at his previous monosyllabic answer that had trailed off uncertainly.
"It's good that your okay. My name is Steve, by the way." Steve didn't look like he fully believed Peter's excuse, but let it slide anyway. The blonde held out his hand to shake.
Peter took it and replied, "Peter. Nice to finally meet you."
"Did you just move to the neighborhood? I've only seen you the past couple of weeks." Steve asked.
"You could say that, yeah. I just moved in." It was technically the truth.
"That's nice. You like the place? I jog around here everyday, as you've seen. It think it's nice."
"Yeah, it's quiet and peaceful most of the time. Well, as quiet and peaceful as a city can get, that is."
"I can agree with you there. Everything changes so fast. Time just... keeps moving." Steve looks wistful at this reply, and sensing a personal subject, Peter chose to not pursue it. Besides, Peter already had a pretty good idea as to what the symbol of America meant. Being frozen for seventy years must have been hard.
"Yeah. Innovation and all that jazz. I should get going, it was nice meeting you, Steve. Goodbye." Peter saluted jokingly as he headed off.
"See you tomorrow, I suppose." Said Steve. With that, they went their separate ways.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
Later that day, our hero lay in a makeshift web hammock as he contemplated what he would do. Peter wasn't sure if he should continue to walk through the park, or go the long way around to avoid Steve. The Avenger wasn't a danger to him, but rather his secret identity. If he recognized Peter's voice as Spider-Man's, he could tell the government. It wouldn't be so bad if the teen wasn't also hiding from the police on account of being a key witness in an investigation, but sadly that was the case.
On the other hand, it wouldn't be very likely the Avenger would actually figure him out. Hawkeye seemed to think he was around 20, so why would they suspect a 15 year-old to be a vigilante? Besides, it wasn't like Peter was in constant contact with the blonde, it would just be a simple passing 'hello.' Plus, Peter didn't really wanna take longer than he already did to get places.
Still, there was always a risk. If worse comes to worse the teen could always just go through the park at a different time of day, spending a little longer in the cafe or something.
Peter decided he would just deal with it when it came up and left it at that. There was no need to dwell over all the 'what ifs' in life.
The boy suddenly realized how restless he was feeling at that moment. It was still around 6:30 PM, so Peter had quite awhile to go before his nightly routine, but he didn't really want to wait until then. He was itching for that free feeling he got when he swung through the concrete jungle that was New York. The wind whipping him with a cold that penetrated so deep he got goosebumps just thinking of it. The strain on his muscles and the release when he let go.
Peter didn't spend anymore time dwelling on it, choosing to slip into his black and white costume. He still needed to change that old design...
Mere minutes later, Spider-Man was webbing his way through the city, high above the streets and between the buildings. The sky was covered in light gray clouds that blocked out the sun. It didn't look like it would rain anytime soon, but the slight breeze promised a storm tonight. Peter mentally noted this. He'd have to make sure to be at his place before it started.
Spider-Man shifted his weight slightly as he shot his next web at an angle and pulled, pivoting his body to turn on the corner of the building to the adjacent street. When his spidey sense went off, Peter almost didn't dodge in time as a helicopter whizzed past. The hero had shot a web at the nearest building and pulled himself onto the side of it.
"Hey! Watch it, I'm swinging here!" Peter called after the aircraft as he shook a fist at it.
"Sheesh, they must be giving any bozo with a chopper licenses these days." Spidey grumbled to himself.
Peter hadn't expected the helicopter to turn around. "Oops... too harsh?" The wall-crawler shot a web at the next building and swung away. To his disappointment, the helicopter was indeed chasing him. That was made apparent when after several turns, the helicopter was still tailing him. Even with his pursuer, Peter wasn't too worried. Shaking off the helicopter would not be too difficult. He could easily manure through places the helicopter would be to big to ever fit in. The only problem was finding the right place that would surely shake the aircraft...
Spider-Man's spidey sense blared and the teen automatically dodged several blasts of hot energy meant for him.
Find a place, and fast.
The arachnid-powered boy doubled his speed, propelling himself forward faster as he pulled harder and shot quickly. Once he was a good ten yards away from the chopper, he took a sharp turn. His muscles strained and burned from the effort his acceleration. Changing the direction of such a fast moving object while trying to maintain as much of the original speed as possible was not a fun task.
The helicopter slowed to make the turn, but by the time they were around the corner it was too late. Their quarry was nowhere in sight.
Peter had pulled himself into the narrow space between two buildings as soon as he made the turn. He watched as the helicopter passed by him without noticing him as he hid in the shadows.
Spidey waited a few minutes before giving a relieved sigh, "Wow, I can't believe they fell for the oldest trick in the boo-" He was cut off as his Spidey sense rang so hard his head spun. The side of the building just under his feet exploded, and he jumped away from it before he could fall to the ground.
Spidey swung back out into the streets and looked on in a bit of shock and mild annoyance as the fricking helicopter flew over the buildings he had just been hiding between and towards him. It was at times like this that Peter wanted to curse the god of luck for hating him so much.
Peter began to swing away again, going back the way he had come. Only this time, it was different, because once again his spidey sense tingled and three missiles whizzed right past him.
Peter snorted and looked back at his pursuers, "You missed!" He called out teasingly, only to be corrected by his precognition abilities that the bad guys were never that easy.
Sure enough, when the teenage hero turned to face forward again, he saw the missiles curve their trajectory and head back, coming straight for him.
Heat seekers.
Peter cursed and acted quickly. He pulled himself up higher as the weapons came closer. As soon as he was high enough, Peter went into a short free fall as he webbed the fronts of two of the missiles and pulled them together, creating an explosion that briefly masked both the hero and the final remaining projectile in a cloud of smoke.
Seconds later Peter and the missile came out of opposite ends of the cloud, both in one piece.
The missile made another turn, and Peter remain swinging steadily. He let it get closer, and just before it would hit he pulled himself sideways with an off-shot web. The missile his a billboard.
Peter endlessly cursed his luck as the billboard, that ironically advertised public safety, tore apart and fell towards the pedestrians and drivers below. He halted his forward movement and pulled himself down towards the falling wreckage. Spider-Man acted quickly and webbed the main foundations on several spots of the billboard to the surrounding buildings, stopping the giant metal wreckage's decent only yards away from the sidewalk. Frightened civilians scrambled out from under the danger as it swayed precariously above them.
Spidey secured the hazardous object with a few more webs and an order for the pedestrians to call the police for clean up before the billboard could fall. With that, he swung back up to where the helicopter hovered in wait.
How kind of them.
Peter knew running wasn't a choice anymore. People were being put in danger by this game of cat and mouse, and the hero would not stand for that. He would have to confront them directly. Chasers to chasee.
Spidey swung to the roof of a building a block or so away from the billboard accident with the helicopter following. The teen raised a hand as if beckoning them as the aircraft came in for a landing on the roof. Before the blades of the chopper could even come to a halt, the back door slid open and three guys with guns jumped out.
They were all wearing uniforms with the same symbol on them: Hydra. Peter hadn't expected them to keep chasing him. Why couldn't it have ended with the Avengers showing up yesterday?
There's that Parker luck at work again.
"I hope you've now realized how serious we are, Spider-Man. Now, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Come quietly, or put yourself, and the general public, in more danger than necessary." It was a familiar voice.
Jacobs stepped out of the co-pilots' door. He was wearing a-
BlAcK
Suit and holding a-
BlaCk
Gun.
Black.
Black.
Black...
The color of death.
Black holes. Neat holes. Center of the forehead. Thud.
Black suit. Put it on. Protect identity. Protect -AuNt-... get the money. Don't let her- don't let her- don't let her- hUrT you.
Push. Thud. Thud. Thud. Down the stairs. In the basement. Not useful. Locked door. Dark. Black. Let him out! He'll get the money! don't wanna be A- A- A- AloNe.
Dark clothes. Everyone in BLACK Clothes. Clouds. Rain. Umbrella. Bury the casket. Sorry for your loss. Funeral.
Gunshot. Thud. Uncle Ben! Stop the bleeding- Stop the bleeding. Neat hole. Not red. To dark. Only black. Florescent, warm, liquid bLack. On his hands. Dirty-Dirty-Dirty. Great power. Great responsibility. Protect your aunt. Protect everyone. No matter the cost? No matter you? You're a ToOl. Your job is to SACRIFICE. Yourself.
Stay with your aunt and uncle. Mommy? Daddy? Plane crash. Dark night. Police at the door. Black. Black. Scream.
Spider-Man shook his head violently. He didn't know what in the hell... that was, but he really didn't have time for it. There were bigger fish to fry.
"Well? What'll it be, kid?"
Peter growled at the man, "You won't control me."
Jacobs expression turned almost disappointed. As if an adult looking down chidingly on a child for lying about taking the last cookie. Peter felt mildly annoyed.
"Very well. Take him."
The three with the guns shot at Spider-Man with the order. The hero couldn't help but think it was all too easy to dodge the blasts with his spider-sense constantly warning him to dodge. That was his first mistake.
His second mistake was only focusing on what was coming at his front, and not his back.
The third and final mistake was not reacting fast enough when the slight tingle in the back of his mind told him to turn around. Why turn around when the battle is in front of you?
The slight prick at the back of his neck told him why. Peter ripped out the tranquilizer dart, but it was too late. The damage was done. Spidey turned to see a woman behind him. She held out the gun that had shot the dart.
Think fast, think fast. Peter collapsed. Eyes closed, slowed breathing. Act like your life depends on it, Peter. It might, after all.
"The target is down, I repeat, the target is down. Heading back to HQ now."
Spider-Man allowed his body to slump and his head to loll back as he was thrown over someone's shoulder and carried into what he assumed was the back of the helicopter. The blades started to whirl and the sound of the helicopter taking off was little comfort to Peter.
The teen opened his eyes slightly. He was eternally grateful his mask covered his face right now. It was getting more and more difficult to act asleep when he was actually beginning to fall unconscious. He was only dizzy right now, but soon he would be out.
There were three men in the back with him, Jacobs in the co-pilots seat, and the pilot. The pilot shouldn't be trouble at first, since he was busy flying, but he could call in reinforcements. Peter would have to prevent that. Otherwise, the other four should be manageable. The hero just had to wait for the right moment. Wait for their guards to be down...
Peter just wanted to sleep, but he couldn't. Not now, or he'd be in big trouble.
Two of the men in the back were facing away, engaged in conversation. The third was moving to handcuff the hero.
Now or never.
Peter webbed the heads of the two that were talking and pulled them together, bashing their heads and knocking them unconscious. The third man let out a surprised yell and pointed his gun at Spider-Man. Thinking fast, he shot a web at the opening of the gun, so instead of hitting the hero, the blast blew the barrel of the gun up, singeing the goon's hands and distracting him long enough for Peter to deliver a blow that rendered the older man unconscious as well.
By now Jacobs was cursing and the pilot was picking up the radio. Peter shot several webs over the helicopter's control counsel and dodged several bullets shot at him by Jacobs. All the movements were making Spidey tire even faster. With one last burst of energy, the teen rammed the door of the helicopter and it burst off. He made a jump for it and was soon free falling several hundred feet above the city.
Peter made to shoot a web at the closest building, only to be greeted with several clicks that alerted him to his web fluid being empty. Spider-Man sighed and hoped to dear God that he would survive through this. That way, at least getting taken onto that helicopter so he could drop a spider tracer on it would actually be worth the effort.
As Peter drifted to sleep during his fall, his last though was a hope that the tracking device wouldn't be found should he survive.
That, and he wondered what had just hit him, and why it sounded so metallic, and why it didn't feel like he had hit The ground yet...
How was it? Review? Is my writing too fast paced? Should I add in more filler next chap?
~Sayonara
