Ilikehats2: Just be patient the story will work itself out, I'm trying to make this all mold together
Guest of honor: Sorry, but Peter's parents won't have really anything to do with this story
Chapter 7: An Apology
(Outside Doctor Strange's House)
Iron-Fist is walking up to the door where his friend stayed. He could hear the sounds of movement in the air. He turned to see Iron Man and Falcon land before him. The young hero bowed, but he was confused to why they were here.
"Hey kid, where is this... Doctor Strange?... Hiding in that shack?" Iron Man chuckled. "This doesn't look like a wizard's home." Falcon added. 'Not this again..' Iron-Fist sighed in his mind.
Sometime ago most of humanity was put under an incantation that caused those infected to fall into a deep sleep to experience their worst nightmares. Spider-Man and Iron-Fist were unaffected and went to this same house. The arachnid themed hero was also highly skeptical of magic, but he learned the truth by gaining the aid of the Sorcerer Supreme. And like Peter, these two avengers were mocking the reality of magic.
"He is a doctor, not a wizard." Iron-Fist calmly said. "Sure… hey doc!" Iron Man called. "Anyone home?!" Falcon yelled.
They laughed as they turned their backs to the 'shack'. When they turned back around, the home of the Sorcerer Supreme manifested. Both avengers jumped back and shrieked.
"Wh-What?" Falcon gasped as he gazed at the house. "No signs of cloaking tech, how... no... there has to be a logical explanation for this." Stark grumbled as his scanner found no signs of any use of technology to change the appearance of the house.
The doors opened ominously which cause the present avengers to take a step back. Danny pointed his open hand towards the door.
"Let's go see this... Doctor Strange." Iron Man said as he walked inside, the others following him.
As they walked through the entrance hall, the two avengers gazed at the array of various objects in the hall. Iron-Fist just looked ahead, time was of the essence and he needed to know what his friend knew of what Dracula might be planning.
"Daniel good to see you again… and you have company." A voice that Danny knew well said.
There wasn't a physical form the voice originated from. Iron Man began scanning the room for cloaking tech again, but again: nothing. He went through his various scanners, but nothing came up.
"No one's here. I can't find any cloaking tech traces anywhere." Stark said as he gazed around the hall.
Suddenly the sorcerer appeared out of thin air. This shocked both avengers, they weren't to happy about this 'trick'. Iron-Fist bowed with respect.
"Namaste doctor." Iron-Fist said. "I see that your company is... upset… What is wrong my friends?" Doctor Strange chuckled. "Where's the tech you used to cloak yourself? I could really use that for a new suit." Stark said. "No technology, only the mystic arts." The man replied. "We all know magic is just science we don't understand. How did you discover to wield it?" Falcon asked. "Some magic throughout history is actually science, yes, but there is much of it which is not science… but true magic." Doctor Strange replied.
Before Iron Man or Falcon could retort, Iron-Fist walked up tot his friend. He needed to stay on message.
"Doctor we are here to enlist your aid and knowledge." Danny interrupted. "Of course, what is wrong?" Strange replied. "I thought wizards could read minds? Some magic-man you are." Iron Man mocked. "I find it rude to do so… but I don't mind doing it to those who mock the others planes of reality… Spider-Man was the same at first, but he eventually realized the truth and respected it." The sorcerer said with conviction. "Really? Why should I believe you?" Stark replied. "That is your choice… by the way… you really shouldn't take Pepper to that Greek restaurant; you should've paid attention when she said she hated Greek food." Strange added as he walked to his library with Iron-Fist.
Iron Man was frozen with shock and surprise. How did this man he hadn't ever met know all of this...? And did Pepper hate Greek food? He didn't remember. But he and a surprised Falcon followed the two.
"What is it that you wish to know?" Strange replied. "Dracula has kidnapped imprisoned super criminals; we'd like to know what he might have planned." Falcon said. "All Hallows Eve is almost upon us, there might be something here that could tell us what he's got planned." Doctor Strange said as he reached for a book.
It flew open by itself and landed on a page 'dedicated' to vampirism. It displayed the history and aspects of the supernatural species. But there wasn't any sign of information that could clue the heroes to a possible plan. As the pages flipped it landed on a page with the words: The Pure of Heart.
"The Pure of Heart?... No..." Iron Man gasped. "What?" Iron-Fist asked. "Dracula has gone after Cap's blood on a number of occasions. That's what he has planned: to finally drink Cap's blood so he can strengthen himself. He could do the same to his minions… It would be a massacre…" Iron Man explained. "We have to get to the Academy and tell Director Fury." Iron-Fist said. "Hold on." Strange said.
An orange orb of mystical energy appeared in the man's right hand, which then engulfed the four heroes present.
(At the Academy)
They appeared in the Academy suddenly.
"Ok, I have to admit... that was strange." Falcon said, rubbing his eyes. "I could've done that… with the right technology." Stark mumbled. "Hurry, we must not delay." Strange said, who was now in his sorcerer 'uniform'. "Nice costume." Falcon chuckled, before they hurried to the conference room.
(In the conference room)
They four quickly arrived to join the others who are all present.
"Ah... we're all here. We do you have for us?" The Director of SHIELD asked. "Dracula wants to drink Cap's blood and feed it to his minions. He needs a pure heart to give him the power he desires." Iron Man explained. "There is no other who possesses the pure of heart, but the captain has been hunted by that ghoul for some time… and has always failed at the might of Mjolnir." Thor boasted, as his chest puffed out. "If he just wanted that he would've just attacked me at the tower, not done all that has happened... No... something else is going on here… we have to find out what." Captain America said to the others.
It is true. Dracula would've snuck into the tower and taken Captain America in his sleep. The vampire king had other plans, that of which were cloaked in mystery.
"But that adds to the mystery even more. But what I want to know is: how do we find him." Ant-Man deadpanned. "Director! There's a breach at our main weapons' factory!" An agent called as he ran into the room. "Dracula…" Spider-Man growled. "Go get him. Stark I assume you know where it is?" Fury ordered. "Let's move!" Iron Man called. "To the True Justice!" Agent Venom said.
(Outside the Academy)
The heroes hurried to the huge plane. The Howling Commandos decided to leave the Monster Truck at the academy just in case they needed to contact Fury. A connection system was applied in the jet/truck to Fury's communicator to Werewolf by Night's personal communicator.
"We'll be back with Dracula in silver chains!" Frankenstein's monster called as the plane took off. "Where to?" Hawkeye asked. "The middle of the Yukon wilderness in Alaska." Iron Man answered. "Great... have to where all that crap again." Clint mumbled. "Got it Widow?" Iron Man said. "Yeah, yeah. I got it." She said.
Over the next several minutes, everyone prepared for the worst.
"Everyone got silver weapons? Wooden weapons?" Blade called out. "We're not killing him! Not any of them!" Spider-Man growled.
Blade hissed at him, baring his sharp teeth. Spider-Man wasn't frightened; he just stared down the vampire-killer.
(I'm getting tired of the wanting to kill the villain routine.)
"I'm not planning on killing Dracula, but we should prepare in case we're overrun with vampire soldiers Spider-Man." Captain America said. "You... but... forget it..." The shocked teen gasped, before walking away. "He's going to get us killed, should've left him behind." The dhampir snarled. "He doesn't take lives; he chose a better path than that." White Tiger said.
The others, except Spider-Man (who didn't hear her), turned to look at her.
"Over your mad spell?" Cloak asked.
She nodded.
"Your anger has finally passed. You were most unhospitable towards the Man of Spiders; he might find joy in this. It appeared the youngling was most nervous around you lass." Thor said. "I was... just frustrated with him… I'm sorry…" She said. "Don't apologize to us, the kid needs that apology." Iron Man advised.
White Tiger nodded and walked over to talk to him.
"I believe I'm finally getting why Spidey has been so… not him." Iron Man chuckled. "REALLY?!" Deadpool randomly deadpanned. "Oh brother…" Wolverine growled as he shook his head.
(Over where Spider-Man is sitting)
Spider-Man is sitting in silence until a familiar individual sat next to him.
"Hey Pete..." Tiger said. "Wh... Wha... Ti-Tiger! Uh… hey..." Spider-Man gasped.
(Why... why is Tiger over here?)
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for the way I've been… My anger… I was just mad at your… less than normal self..." She explained. "No... I'm sorry… I should have been my normal self… I failed at that." Peter mumbled. "I'm not really good with words Pete… I.. we need the normal Spidey… the stupid, goofy, brave Spidey we all know and love… in a best friend sort of way…" Ava chuckled. "I uh..." Spider-Man stuttered, his voice filled with nervous energy.
She hugged him tightly and purred in his ear like the night she did when they defeated Kraven.
(Please don't let her hit me again...)
But she let him go and held his hand. They looked in each others' 'eyes' as a warm, electric energy filled them.
(Come on! Come on! COME ON!)
"We're here!" Black Widow called.
They had arrived at their destination. Everyone was getting ready since they had landed already.
"We should go. Come on Web-head." Tiger said as she let go of Peter's hand and walked off.
(OH COME ON!)
(Outside the factory)
"Remember stay close together, watch each other's backs. Eyes on the shadows, stay alert." Captain America said.
The assembled heroes cautiously walked into the factory. All the employees and guards had been drained of blood. Dracula is here. Zabu growled, the air was thick with the same scent from the base. The group eventually entered the basement of the factory.
'Where are you?...' Spider-Man mumbled in his mind.
A cold wind rushed through the room.
"Welcome everyone... I'm pleased you received my invitation..." A familiar, ghastly voice chuckled. "Dracula…" Spider-Man growled.
To be continued…