So… finally a new chapter for you guys!

It's amazing how many people are reading this story and I feel really bad for taking so long to update, although I promised to update more often. So from now on I won't promise anything. The chapter will come out when it's finished but I definitely will finish this story. Even if it takes a little longer, the next chapter will eventually come out.

It's a really long chapter, the longest so far.

I hope you enjoy yourself and leave a review for me! :D

B: Thank you :D I'm trying my best ;-)

Nyx811: It wasn't soon, but there's an update :-)

Guest1: Thanks ^.^

Guest2: Thank you very much :D There's the update for you (although it's not soon…)

rain: I know :3. And even when he's all evil and stuff he's incredibly cute…

HyperEngineer: Thanks for reading my fanfiction and thanks for the motivation :D

Chapter 15

Peter felt a lot better when he woke up the next morning. In fact, until that moment he hadn't even realised how bad he had been feeling the previous day. He took a deep breath and stretched his arms. Could this day get any better?

It could. With his aunt's homemade pancakes for breakfast. Peter fully loaded his plate and poured lot's of maple syrup over it. Then he sat down at the table and started to eat, maybe a little faster than necessary.

"Now, now Peter," his aunt smiled gently. "Take it slowly, it's not like anyone would steal your food if you leave it alone for a second. My, one could think that you haven't eaten anything for days!"

Peter stuffed another pancake into his mouth, than he looked up to meet his aunt's eyes and smiled apologetically.

"I'm still growing, Aunt May" he said after swallowing, only half joking. "And did you know that concentrating also burns calories? I'm gonna need some energy in school!"

He left out the part where he would probably have to save the city later that day as well. His aunt shook her head, still smiling and went over to the counter to clean something.

"Oh, Peter" she said after a short moment of silence, turning around to face him. He looked up and raised his eyebrows in an asking manner as his mouth was full of pancakes.

"I have this new cooking book and wanted to try something and I wondered if you'd like to invite Gwen over for dinner sometime this week."

Peter swallowed. He normally appreciated that his aunt tried to spend as much time with his girlfriend as possible, but after what happened yesterday he wasn't even sure if his and Gwen's relationship would last any longer.

"What's the matter?" his aunt inquired furrowing her brow. Peter mentally whacked himself for not answering immediately. "Has something happened between you two?"

Peter set down his fork. "No, everything's – " Aunt May raised one eyebrow. "I mean… I don't know. Maybe now is not the right time to invite her over." He got up before his aunt could ask any more questions and went to fetch his school bag.

"Bye, Aunt May" he shouted and left, leaving her to her own thoughts.

Once he was out of sight of his house Peter stopped and leaned against a house wall. Why did his life have to be so complicated? He wouldn't even be able to tell his aunt the truth about his and Gwen's problem without revealing his superhero identity.

Well at least he could go and see the Avengers this afternoon. Hopefully it would do him some good to work a little on science projects with Tony Stark.

Then he remembered his talk with Loki the previous day. Right. The Trickster knew about him being Spider-man. Why was everything so complicated?

The good feeling that Peter had had about the day when waking up was back: Tony had asked him to help build a new repulsor for his suit. It was like Christmas, working in a great laboratory and knowing that he contributed to Iron man's suit.

He completely concentrated on the tasks that Tony gave him. It helped him forget the complications that he was facing at the moment. It even helped him to nearly forget that Gwen had ignored him all day in school.

"Normally I don't have anything against working in silence, but if there's anything I could help you with…"

The inventor's voice startled Peter. He looked up, but Tony was still facing the part he was working on.

"I'm fine" said shortly. That made the older man look over to him, one eyebrow raised. Oh great. He had gotten himself a second Aunt May.

"Is it that obvious?" he asked with a weak grin. Tony nodded smiling a little.

"So what is it? Or don't you want to talk about it? Which would be cool as well. I'm not the guy who talks about his problems myself."

"It's just…" Peter started, then stopped to think about how to explain without revealing too much. "Remember when I told you about my girlfriend and our… situation?"

The inventor nodded. "The one whose father died."

"Yes. Well we decided to try it again, but then she found out about me hanging out with you superheroes and she didn't like it – "

"Wait," Tony interrupted him. "Why doesn't she like superheroes?"

"Well… Do you remember the Lizard incident? Her father was chief of the police department and he was killed by the lizard."

"Ah, so she blames that Spider-man for it?"

"No. But she's afraid that being around you guys is dangerous for me, with all those enemies you have and stuff..."

Tony nodded. "So what are you going to do?"

"She gave me ultimatum, but I still hope I can make her change her mind. I really like being with you guys." And I really like being Spider-man, he added for himself.

"Well good luck. But believe me, women can be stubborn. I've got a girlfriend of my own and she can make me do anything…"

Peter nodded and went back to working. He was glad that he had come up with a logical and nearly true explanation for Gwen's and his problem. He wondered how long he could keep up lying though, especially since Loki knew the truth.

"So which movie is it today?"

All the Avengers as well as Peter and Loki were gathered in the top floor's living room. It was Tony who asked the question.

"I took great pleasure in the movies we watched last time, the War of Stars," Thor exclaimed in his usual booming voice. "Are there not more of those?"

"There are," Tony answered. "But the three new movies are not half as good as the old ones."

"That's your opinion." Clint murmured quietly.

"What about Superman? The old ones with Christopher Reeves, not the new one." Peter proposed. He imagined that Thor would like them as the hero wore a red cape, just like him. And Superman was an alien as well.

"Oh yes. They are not exactly good, but one has to have seen them, especially a superhero." Tony shouted, grinning broadly.

The others had no objections and so it was decided. They sat down in front of the gigantic screen. Loki quietly sat down next to Peter – apparently as far as possible from Thor – and drew his knees to his chest. When he caught Peter's glance he smiled carefully, as if he was not accustomed to smiling instead of sneering.

During the first movie, Peter envied Superman for leading such an easy superhero life. He had a secure secret identity (although it was amazing that he seemed to be unrecognisable to the other characters once he put on glasses) and the world he lived in was one of black and white: good was good and evil was evil.

In reality a good friend of your father could turn into a ferocious monster and try to change all the people of New York into lizards. But he himself was not evil at all. He had saved Peter's life. And then there was Loki, the ex-soon-to-be ruler of the world, who was now sitting right next to his enemies, watching a movie.

Peter chuckled a little at the thought of Lex Luthor watching a movie together with Superman.

The second movie (naturally they watched all three) made him thoughtful. Superman wanted to stop being Superman to be with Lois Lane. For a short moment he considered to do the same thing, to choose Gwen over fighting crime. But it didn't work out for Superman, the world needed him.

Is it wrong of me to think that I am as important as Superman? Peter thought. Probably. The world still has the Avengers.

But he wanted to help. He couldn't bear the thought of sitting at home while others did what he thought of as his responsibility.

They were half way into the third movie when Peter suddenly felt like the world was falling around him. He had never been feeling so dizzy in his life. Was this an after effect of the poison? He closed his eyes, hoping that the feeling would subside after a few moments, but he's head just kept spinning.

He opened his eyes again. Now his stomach had started spinning along with his head. It felt like a ride on a merry go round. He stumbled to his feet. "Excuse me for a second", he said, hoping that the others would understand the slurred words.

He could only imagine the Avenger's surprised faces, too unwell to actually see them clearly as he made his way to the door and down the floor to the next bathroom.

Loki liked the film, although his sympathy was more with Lex Luthor than with the so-called Superman. Lex Luthor was intelligent, just like him. He was a lot more intelligent than the hero. Superman seemed to be even dumber than Thor, but he was strong and good. Just like Thor. Lex Luthor's only problem were his – as Stark would say – dumb-as-hell assistants.

And the fact that he didn't lie to them about his plans. Something that Loki would never do, he was the God of Lies after all.

The next villain, General Zod, resemble him a lot. At least he had the same thirst for revenge that Loki had when he had come to Earth a year ago.

The third film introduced a new woman, who had the initials LL just like Lois Lane – and Lex Luthor. Was Loki the only one to find this strange?

Suddenly he felt a movement next to him. He turned his head slightly only to see Peter stand up. The boy murmured something under his breath before he stumbled to the door.

Loki quickly glanced around and read the same concern he felt in the faces of the Avengers – except for the Black Widow who didn't like to display emotions of what kind so ever. Before the others could react Loki stood up and moved to the door as well in what seemed to be one swift movement.

He was half way down the floor when he heard a noise from the bathroom. He entered the white-tiled room and found the boy kneeling in front of the toilet being violently sick.

Loki quickly shut the door and locked it from the inside. There was a good chance that this was connected to the poisoning from the fight and he had promised to keep Peter's superhero identity a secret. It would be too hard to explain why Peter was poisoned, hence it was better if no one else came in.

Then the Trickster crouched down beside the teenager who was now resting his head against the toilet, swaying slightly and shivering.

"What exactly is wrong with you, Peter?" Loki asked quietly, resting one hand on the boy's right shoulder. He heard the boy take a shaky breath. Then another.

"Feel dizzy," the young spider finally whispered. Loki frowned. He had noticed that Peter had experienced slight spells of dizziness the previous day, but this was completely different. He hardly seemed able to keep upright.

Suddenly the boy's body jerked and he gagged again, but nothing came up. The retching turned into coughing and Peter wrapped one arm around his chest as if to keep him from falling apart. Loki put some pressure on the boy's shoulder to reassure him and placed the other hand gingerly on his forehead. It was rather cold and sweaty and Loki frowned again when he noticed that Peter was shaking so badly now, that his teeth were chattering.

That was when Loki realised what it had to be and it made him curse under his breath.

"Peter," he said in the same quiet voice. "I'm afraid I need to talk to the others about this. I can't help you all by myself. I need at least Thor's help."

"Have to reveal my secret ID?" Peter asked under his breath, still holding onto the toilet as if his life was depending on it.

"I am afraid so. Even I couldn't explain it otherwise."

The boy closed his eyes and nodded in a defeated manner. As if on cue there was a loud knocking on the door.

"Hey are you in there? Peter? Loki?" Stark sounded outright panicked. "Is everything all right? Open the door or I'll have the Hulk smash it!"

"Patience, Stark. We're coming out." Loki answered calmly. He turned to Peter. "You need my help, I believe." He stated. The boy nodded weakly and Loki moved over to him, slinging one of Peter's arms around his shoulders and putting his own hand on the boy's waist. Then he hauled him up and they slowly made their way to the door.

The door opened with a click. Tony couldn't deny that he had been a little worried for Peter to be alone with their ex-enemy and judging from the faces of the other Avengers' who were standing around him, they had been thinking the same. It didn't seem as if Loki had harmed his young friend when they came out of the bathroom 'though, in fact Loki was supporting Peter.

The sight of the teen being obviously unable to stand without the trickster's help made Tony's concern grow.

"What is wrong with him?" he asked. The trickster glanced up to him.

"Now is not the time to chat, Stark," the trickster said, his voice serious but calm. "Would you mind helping me bringing him to the living room so that he can lie down?"

Tony nodded and moved to Peter's other side. Together they brought the boy back to the room where they had watched the films and gently lowered him on the sofa.

Peter seemed to be only half conscious and his paleness frightened Tony. Everyone gathered around and Tony noticed that Bruce's hands were shaking and that Steve made the same half concerned half desperate face he always had after visiting his old friend Peggy who was dement.

"Tell us brother, what misery has befallen our young friend?" Thor demanded, doing his best to lower his normally booming voice. Bruce stepped closer to Peter as if he wanted to examine him himself, but Loki looked at him and shook his head.

"There is nothing you can do, doctor. This illness was born from magic," he explained. Bruce frowned.

"How did that happen? How can it be that Peter is sick from magic? He wasn't even here when we were attacked!" Tony said, eyeing the trickster suspiciously. "And why do you care for him so much?"

"All can be explained, but later," Loki answered. "For now we have to hurry."

"What do you need to cure him?" Bruce asked, seemingly ready to run and get whatever Loki asked for.

"Magic," he answered. "This is no illness that can be cured without it, at least not if you want to keep his brain from getting seriously damaged."

"But your magic is still gone! How are you going to cure him?" Tony asked. He couldn't help sounding desperate. Loki looked at him and then turned to Thor.

"Get Mjölnir out," he said. "If you allow it I will borrow his magic in order to help our young friend here."

"Of course you have my allowance, brother." Thor left the room to get his hammer. Tony much appreciated that the God of Thunder did not just reach out and call Mjölnir. He didn't need any holes in his floor, now that the tower was finally repaired from the damages from the invasion.

"So… what exactly is wrong with him?" Bruce asked.

"It's a poisoning caused by magic that attacks his brain. It already damaged his sense of balance and we have to act quickly so that it doesn't affect the brain too much," Loki answered.

"How did he –" Tony started, but was interrupted by Thor's return.

Thor put his hammer down next to the boy's head, following a gesture of Loki. Loki positioned himself next to it.

"Please open the magic flow, brother," the Trickster demanded. Thor nodded and put one hand around the hammer's handle. Neither of the two seemed to notice the unusual term Loki had used. Now the trickster put one hand on the iron and the other on one of Peter's temples, closing his eyes to concentrate.

No flash, no noise, only Loki who was concentrating. Apparently they had to trust the Trickster once more.

Everything around Peter was in a blur. He still felt incredibly dizzy and nauseous but luckily there was nothing left in his stomach to expel. In addition to that he was freezing and completely exhausted. A distant part of him wondered how the day that had been so great in the morning could have gone so incredibly wrong.

He heard people talk around him, he recognised Loki's and Tony's voices, one smooth like velvet and one rough with concern. Then he was laid on something soft and a loud and booming voice was added to the noises around him, Thor he realised.

The next thing he felt was a hand being placed on his right temple and odd warmth flowing from this hand into his head. It made him feel less cold and little by little it started to ease the spinning feeling in his head. After a while it had almost completely disappeared.

Relieved, Peter allowed himself to relax and drift off into sleep.

Bruce observed how Peter's body relaxed about thirty minutes after Loki had started. He glanced over to the Trickster who opened his eyes again. A smile spread over the Trickster's features.

"Did it work?" Tony asked anxiously. The billionaire had fetched himself a drink while they were waiting for Loki to finish, probably calming his nerves. Tony really had taken a liking to that boy, even more than Bruce himself.

"It did indeed," Loki answered and lowered himself on a chair. He seemed to be quite exhausted.

"So why isn't he waking up?" Despite the events from two days ago, Clint sounded a little mistrusting.

"He's resting for now, his body is exhausted," the God of Mischief explained. "But I managed to fully heal him."

Bruce sighed in relieve. Looking over to Tony he noticed that his friend seemed ready to cry of joy. Nearly. Then the inventor turned to Loki.

"You owe us an explanation. Why did you care so much for Peter and why was he poisoned by magic?"

That's it for today XD

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