It was night pressing onto dawn as Spider-man slowly moved his tired body towards the situation room, he was exhausted battling the Sinister six, his goblinized teammates and finally the Green Goblin himself. The magnetic doors parted and he was greeted by his teammates "there he is!" Nova cheered "the hero of the hour" he high fived Spider-man as both Power-man and IronFist shook his hand but everyone was left at a loss when White Tiger hugged him tightly and closely hugged him.
("So…eh this is odd. I mean yeah Tigers hugged me before but she's kind of holding on a little longer and tighter this time. I can actually feel her purring vibrating her chest…don't repeat that to her please")
"…."
"…"
"…. So ah… Tiger does have soft side?" Nova exclaimed watching Tiger continue to hold the Web head "10 steamboat 11 steamboat. Really Tiger let the guy breathe"
Tiger's eye shot open and she jumped back from Spider-man as if his body burned her "oh…um...yeah right just uh…thanks for saving the day Spidey we owe you one" she stammered thanking god her white mask covered her now bright red cheeks.
"Spider-man my office" came Fury's voice over the P.A speakers like a buzz killing invader.
(Chibi Spidey sails high on a cloud over New York, until Chibi Fury came whizzing by on a jet pack "hoo ha! Get off your cloud and get back to work hoo ha!" he ordered before shooting the cloud sending it flying like a deflating balloon)
"Raked over the coals again Fury?" Spider-man groaned "I thought I did pretty well tonight"
"You did. Amazingly well" Fury proudly stated taking a sip of coffee from his mug "in fact I'm incline to give you this weekend off"
("The weekend off? There has to be a catch." Chibi Spidey is standing in front of a four legged present with large teeth "yep gift horse note the big teeth")
"Seriously? The weekend, no strings attached?" Spider-man asked flabbergasted yet suspicious of Fury's words.
"The whole weekend" Fury confirmed "so I suggest you get going before something comes up" before Fury could finish Spider-man was racing for an exit. "Now if he did that during training he'd rival captain America"
After having returned home and showered up Peter made his way down stairs to find Aunt May sitting the kitchen having tea with a complete stranger and laughing.
"ah-ha-ha, it's so good seeing you again Mason it's been far too long" Aunt May laughed "I'm glad you decided to come back around"
Mason returned Aunt Mays smile before sipping on his drink his eyes quickly scanned the room from behind his mug. It was difficult for him to picture Lt. Badass Ben Parker living the simple life and yet this was home for his final years. "Anyways May, I didn't just come by to say hi and see everyone again…" Mason took a quick deep breath to steady himself. May Parker wasn't one to go against a loved ones wishes but he had a use for Peters potential "…I know Marry always intended to keep him away from the life…"
"Mason let me stop you there, my answer is no!" Aunt May sternly told him shutting him down on the spot "Marry wanted Peter sheltered from that life and he is. Peter was raised to use his head not his fists, he's a good boy not warrior like Richard and Ben"
Peter crept back from the kitchen opening biting his knuckles to refrain himself from an impulsive outburst "sheltered from that life? Warriors like Ben and Richard? What's Aunt May talking about?" Peter thought to himself. He never remembered Uncle Ben as a warrior but as a good hearted wise man, something was amiss and Peter wanted to know what. He had to meet this stranger himself.
"I understand May but if the boy knew what I told you…shouldn't the son have the right to avenge the parents?" Mason pleaded "…Richard was my friend to May remember I think its right that the people responsible are punished"
"People responsible?" Peter finally had it, at the mention of his parents being murdered he had to know what was going on "Aunt May who is this is and what is he talking about? My parents died in a plane crash, an accident" he stated through a cracking emotional voice.
"That's him?" Mason asked addressing Peter. "He's the spitting image of Richard to a fault"
Aunt May stared at Peter with worry in her eyes he had overheard Mason say his parents were murdered "Peter…I…your mother wanted you to have a normal life sweet heart so we all swore to keep you safe from it all"
"All of what?" Peter hesitantly replied "and again who is he?"
Mason set his cup and turned his chair to face Peter "I'm Mason Traverse, I was a friend of your fathers from our military days. Your dad was one of the toughest guys I ever knew kid and a damn good shield agent. Don't get the wrong idea he was a good man just good at what he did to and unfortunately when you're as good as he was people tend to not feel safe until you're removed" Mason told him.
Peter started to feel off balanced maybe a little sick, his dad was a shield…and Fury never told him. His parents were murdered and everyone hid that from him.
Seizing his chance Mason spoke up while May was still caught off by Peter's presence "Peter I found the man responsible for what happened to your parents and I've assembled a team to hunt him down. Peter I'd like you to join it, the son of Richard the lion heart and the nephew of Lt. Badass Ben you've got potential kid"
("Yeah if he only knew right? Still finding the creep who took mom and dad from me…what do you guys think I should do?")
"Can I have a couple days to think about this?" Peter asked.
"Peter!?" Aunt May whimpered, she saw the hardened gaze in his eyes something she never saw before. Peter was seriously considering Masons offer "Peter please listen to me, your mother never wanted you to be a part of that world she wanted you to grow up happy, meet friends find a nice girl. She wanted you to have a real life" she pleaded.
"my plane leaves Thursday morning Peter if you decide to follow in your parents footsteps and learn the truth be at JFK international" Mason then turned to May with an almost smug self-satisfied smirk "good seeing you again May I'm sorry I missed the funeral take care" he told her just before leaving the house. The door closed and it seemed like Mason just vanished into thin air.
Aunt May continued to stare at her nephew with worried eyes however he just stood there lost in his own world "Peter…" she whimpered.
Peter on the other hand just shook head in misery and retreated to his room, his dresser top littered with pictures. Some of Harry and M.j, some with the team, a few of himself and a much bigger slightly older blond boy in a midtown mustang jersey and many of Uncle Ben and Aunt May. But only one of his parents it was the first time since Uncle Ben was murdered that he felt like something was missing from himself and Masons offer kept resonating with him. The more Peter focused on it the more tempted he became, to finally have some closure and bring the man responsible to justice but there was also the fact that his dad was a S.H.I.E.L.D agent "I should talk to Fury before seeing Mason" he thought. He quickly changed into Spider-man and swung at full speed back to tri-carrier.
Mason returned to his hide out to find a group of worn out and beaten up teenagers all sitting around a TV playing a war game. Vexi was at the table scribbling down notes in a book when she took notice of him "well Fox you're empty handed, guessing the kid said no?" she asked with a blunt I told you so attitude.
"for now" Mason replied "but give it a day he'll be here, now that he knows everyone was keeping his parents death a secret he'll be angry at them and come straight to me and then I'll mold him into another version of Richard only without the over bearing morality"
"You think this kid will be some ultimate weapon?!" Vexi asked curiously raising her eyes from her book to look at him but Mason merely threw his coat over a chair and vanished into thin air prompting Vexi to close her eyes and semi shudder. It creeped her out how he did that "your silence means I'm right you know!" she hollered into the empty space.
Mason turned to his closet and pulled a black duffle bag out from in it, inside was a black S.H.E.I.L.D operative suit with a black tactical vest and a black with grey tones fox mask "it's time the Fox returns" he muttered with a sly grin before withdrawing twin katanas' and a belt with dual pistols.
A sour Nova scrubbed and mopped the hallway floor while the others enjoyed their lounge time, Luke was practicing Danny's meditation methods, and Danny was in his room wearing a sparring uniform made of green and gold colors with a spare red and blue one waiting on the bench. At Peters request they had begun a new relationship of master and student and much to Danny's enjoyment Peter was accelerating rapidly.
Then there was Ava, once again; as always Ava was engaged in her studies. It was her way of coping with what happened earlier, she was sure she could smell the goblin stench still in her suit even from the laundry. As she scribbled and erased her answers Ava's eyes kept wandering away to the news playing on her T.V
"The events earlier tonight have left citizens stunned and in awe. After a breakout on Ryker's island six dangerous fugitives nearly escaped custody but were quickly rounded up by Spider-man and his super friends. Then New Yorkers were exposed to what looked like another alien invasion taking place over our city however we later learned that it was a S.H.E.L.D training exercise gone slightly askew as their public relations represenetive explained. So these events beg the question how are we the people supposed to feel safe when our authority agencies can't seem to secure prisons or their training operations. I'm Elia Wellston signing off" the reporter finished as the screen cut to weather but Ava quickly flipped the channel.
"If these reporters actually knew what happened out there tonight they wouldn't be spewing this biased hate" Ava sighed as she fell back onto her pillow pile waiting for either sleep or the answer to question 7 to come to her…
"HEY WEB HEAD! I JUST WASHED THE FLOOR!" she heard Nova scream from down the hall "hey don't you walk aw…" Nova's voice cut out as the sound off the mop bucket rolled then fell over under his feet "I hate mopping"
Spider-man made his way to Nicks office where he found the director sitting at his desk with a cup of coffee and a file on the table top "welcome back Parker, I believe this is what you're after" he stated sliding the file to him "I saw the camera footage" he quickly pulled the file just back from Spider-man's fingers "be warned Parker this is full disclosure you might not like what you read and I know about Masons offer. I can't stop you kid I know what this means to you so if you want to go I'll stand by you" Fury sincerely told him handing Spider-man the file "if you do decide to leave Parker talk to the others they have a right to know"
Spider-man blinked behind his mask, Fury caught him off guard and disarmed him; he was planning on tearing him a new one but Fury was here giving him more answers and even agreed to let him join Masons team "the…thanks Nick" he stuttered "I won't be leaving forever you know I just have to know why my parents were killed"
Fury nodded as his acknowledgment "I understand son and I hope you get your answers just promise me you won't let what you learn persuade you into changing"
"I won't Fury I promise" Spider-man replied.
"Talk to the others kid" Fury finished "at least say goodbye"
"Yes sir"
Peter took off his mask as he walked in on Luke who was supposed to be meditating yet fallout 4 was playing on the screen in front of him "effective relaxation method big guy it's got my approval" Peter chuckled.
"Web head! Perfect timing my brother grab a controller and give me a hand I'm getting my ass kicked" Luke replied tossing Peter a controller, which Peter hesitantly placed back on the couch.
"Sorry big guy I can't" Luke did a double take before pausing the game. Peter was refusing to play fallout 4 something must have been up. "Luke… I'm going away for a while…"
"Say what?" Luke blurted "Pete if this is about tonight none of us meant what we said…"
Peter raised his hand to silence his friend's worried rambling "it's not that Luke…a guy showed up at my house and told me about my dad and my parent's death, he invited me to join his team and bring this guy to justice"
"How do you this is legit Pete? Luke interrupted.
"Fury confirmed it and already signed off on it" Peter replied.
Luke's face dropped to a disappointed frown "I get it man I do it's your parents it's been a mystery to you and you want answers" Luke nervously scratched his head "best of luck my brother I hope you find what you're looking for" he rationalised as he shook Peter's hand farewell
Next was Danny, it only made sense since they had a sparring session set up. Danny was working through his poses when Peter walked in "are you ready my friend?" Danny asked.
Peter took his stance eager to begin the match "oh yeah"
Danny kicked the match off with a jump kick which Peter was able to jump dodge to the edge of the mat and retaliate with a round house kick. Danny quickly recovered and blocked Peter's assault "better" Danny smirked then the two escalated their speed quick jabs, fast kicks and painful holds. Danny threw one of his iron punches simultaneously as Peter their fists collided sending them both sliding across the mat.
"Well…that's a new one" Peter panted recomposing himself "again?"
"Again" Danny smiled genuinely enjoying himself. Once again they engaged in their match, Peter wasn't as skilled as Danny but his speed and agility were a great compensation. Because there wasn't a clock available to them neither one was aware of how long they were sparring but regardless Peter still had to inform Danny that he was leaving. Punches were traded, kicks were crossed the mat became drenched in sweat with the two teens panting and kneeling from exhaustion Peter was slightly marked up but thanks to his tougher skin nothing major, Danny on the other hand was sporting multiple bruises and minor swelling in his cheeks "I think were ok for today" Danny chuckled.
"Hey Danny listen…I…I have to leave for a while, I have some information about my parents and I can't pass it..."
"I understand my friend" Danny replied "unanswered questions prevent one from achieving true balance, that and unwilling to admit ones true feelings for another"
That last remark caught Peter by surprise sure Danny was a bit of fortune cookie but that remark seemed a little more blunt "come again?" he blurted.
"come on Peter even a blind man can see how you look at Ava or how you don't look at her there's genuine emotions in your eyes ask her out sometime…cause Flash has been lingering around her to" with that Danny went to the showers as did Peter but his advice clung to Peter like a bad nick name.
Now it was time for his talk with Ava a conversation that he was not looking forward to since he knew what was coming…
"Please tell me it's not about revenge Peter?" Ava sternly asked. Peter knew Ava was going to be this way, after his speech to her about revenge on Kraven he knew it was coming.
"No Ava it's not revenge. But I have to know why this guy had my parents killed that's it"
Ava looked Peter up and down but took her time at his eyes searching through his soul for the truth not that she didn't take Peter at his word, he had more integrity and character then anyone she knew but this was about his parents and something about that just put her on edge like how she went violent nearly homicidal when she confronted the man who killed her father and it was Peter who stopped her. But she also knew about Peter's inner demon…the one he told her and only her about…his Uncle Bens murderer. She stared into the ocean of his blue eyes finding only Peters good nature within him, he wasn't out for blood that was enough for her. "Ok Peter I understand" she told him then Ava did something Peter wasn't prepared for, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek "I hope you find the answers you need Peter… be safe" she finished.
("That was weird wasn't it?")
At Fury's instance Peter placed his suit and issued shooters into a locker he didn't think it wise if Mason learned of Peter's alter ego not that Peter would have told him. His friends said they understood his reason but he knew they weren't. He packed the last of his gear and left for JFK international for his newest adventure.
well Peter's off on his new adventure with Shadow fox wonder what's in store?
worldly travels.
new teammates and skills.
crossing paths.
a love interest and more await our web slinging hero in this new saga hope everyone hangs around to enjoy it.
thank you everyone for the reviews and O/C suggestions I have constructed the new team(s) and I think they'll suit the saga perfectly R&R thank you everyone the awesome fans who make writing enjoyable.