06/13/22: Edited some caught grammar mistakes, sorry for the ping FF will do.
Hey everyone! Hope you all enjoy the chapter even though it's only about 11k words (I hope the speed this came out helps taper that. I felt like the end was a good stopping point.) More notes at the end. Enjoy.
Parker Home
Peter smiled sheepishly at his mom. She was fluttering around him in the early hours of the morning handing him items she thought he needed before he inevitably handed them back. He didn't let her near his backpack – he was taking his suit because you never know when you'll need it – but assured her over and over again that he had everything he needed before stopping her with a hug. "Mom." He rubbed her back. "I'll be fine. SHIELD's going to be watching over me the entire time. That should be enough right?"
Mary looked at her son like he was the one acting crazy. She knew her son didn't have the emotional range of a teaspoon so his calmness at the situation was bizarre. "You realize that we don't want to have to let SHIELD watch over you right? Your father and I trust Fury because of his stellar performance as an agent and friend, but that doesn't mean we think that should overwrite your privacy." She choked back a sob.
Peter's shoulders slumped and held his mom tighter. "I know mom. I know the reason they're watching and everything." He felt his dad, who was standing to the side, join in on the hug making it a family hug minus Teresa. "But I trust their capabilities to keep me safe. And it's only for a day. Plus you know Silver has been training me on top of the little bit of training you and dad gave me I think I can hold my own if the need calls for it. Especially until a SHIELD agent can come to my rescue." He pulled back from the hug to look at his mom whose eyes were watery. He winced, "I also know that you're also crying right now because I'm your son who is going away too far for you to physically be there and you're just being a mother." At seeing her nod he continued. "So I also know that my words aren't helping like I'd want them to." She smiled weakly, happy that he understood her feelings at the very least. "But I hope you know I love you, mom. And that I will be back."
Mary sighed. 'My little boy…so mature. And at least knows what to say it seems to make me feel safe or secure.' She motioned for Peter to bend down and kissed his forehead. "I know you do. And I know you'll be back." She sighed. "I love you too Peter. As you said I'm just being a mother." She returned his smile and watched fondly as he hugged his father.
"Well, it looks like they're here," Mary said as a black SUV pulled into their driveway. She wiped her eyes and tried to fix herself and her boys' appearances. Seeing them roll their eyes but smile. "Okay, let's greet them before they ring the doorbell and wake up your sister. She's still got school."
Peter rolled his eyes. "I don't think they'd be that inconsiderate." He opened the front door and exited the house. His parents following. He watched as Fury exited the vehicle with Natasha and Val; meeting them halfway.
"Good morning!" Peter greeted cheerily. Fury nodded while Val gave him a small smile, Natasha looked at him quizzically before nodding and greeting him back, "Morning."
"Ready, Parker?" Fury asked. Which made Peter wilt internally. Would he be standing out here if he wasn't ready?
"Yup."
"Richard, Mary." Fury said with a nod, receiving ones in turn, before turning back to head toward the SUV and holding the nearest back door open for Peter.
The teen made to move before he felt his mom's hand reach his shoulder to stop him. He tilted his head at her and she pulled him into a hug which his father quickly joined, not a word spoken. Happily surprised he didn't join in at first, but quickly reached his arms to wrap around his parents.
Then, with another kiss on his forehead – from both his parents now – for a goodbye, causing Val and even Natasha to either let out a small giggle or a huff of amusement respectively, he entered the open door to sit comfortably in the back. Val then took the driver's seat with Natasha the passenger while Fury walked around to take the other back seat.
Seeing his parents wave as they left the driveway and street, Peter rolled down the window to do so as well, till he could see them stop as presumably their eyesight failed them. Rolling the window up Peter turned to Fury.
"So? What's the plan exactly?" Peter asked.
Fury only shook his head and motioned to be silent. "Airport first." He stated afterward.
Frowning Peter looked to see Val and Natasha both alert as well. 'What do they expect someone to be listening in?' He took another look at the vehicle's occupants before sighing and making himself comfortable and decided to catch up on some sleep. Thankfully it came quickly, and so didn't notice the surprised glances and glare he was getting thrown his way.
JFK Airport
A soft hand gently shook him awake in what felt like moments later, the sound of the airport assaulting his ears. Peter opened his eyes to see Natasha softly frowning.
"We're here Peter." She said as softly as she could over the sounds of the airport.
He nodded in thanks, exiting the vehicle. Noticing now, that they were parked next to an airstrip that held a private jet with a set of stairs as its entrance. Fury and Val waited for them nearby. A cold expression was on Val's face, showcasing her discomfort.
'Still feeling the remnant emotions from yesterday's conversation then.' Peter thought to himself as he and Natasha walked toward them.
"On the jet first then?" Peter said to Fury who was frowning at him. 'Not my fault you couldn't just let Val and Natasha be the only ones awake.'
Fury nodded eventually and motioned his head to the stairs.
The inside of the jet was the same as any other private jet Peter's been inside. That is to say, fancy and comfortable. 'It's no Orphan One, but still pretty fancy for what's available.' He thought to himself, relaxing into his seat, and saw as Fury, Val, and Natasha did the same.
"Everyone's inside. Lift off. Over." Fury spoke into his communicator.
Soon afterward Peter felt the hum of the jet as it took off on the runway and the momentary weightlessness as it took flight. 'Must have had priority to cut in front of everyone else on a public airspace.'
Peter waited a moment before speaking up after. "So, now can we talk?"
Fury sighed, looking around at the jet's other occupants. It wasn't ideal to be speaking in front of his men due to the Parker scion likely being privy to SHIELD intel that he'd rather limit the ones in the know. 'I'll have to limit my questioning right now than to pertinent information.' He nodded, "For a bit. We've all woken up earlier than we need to for long-distance travel. What did you want to discuss for now?"
"Our destination? I can give you exact coordinates for where Captain America was found, though I think he'll be a distance away from the exact coordinates. I didn't tell you before he was found just after…" 'Crap I don't know how he'll react to hearing about the Avengers…they had the Hulk at the time…who is a public menace as of now…' "A uh, a group fighting the Atlantean Namor chased after him. He was sinking in his ice block from what I heard, I think Namor might have thrown him from whatever ice sheet he was on." Peter said smiling sheepishly at Fury's unamused glare.
Fury sighed before pulling out a map from behind his chair and placing it on the table in between them. "What are the coordinates?"
"Hm," Peter hummed looking over the map. "About North 57 degrees latitude and 6 degrees East longitude." He said pointing to the nearest coordinates displayed on the map.
Fury also hummed, "A ways off the coast of Denmark." He reached for his communicator. "Pilot, course correct to Copenhagen Airport. We're starting our search from Denmark. Reach out to relevant authorities for permission, and then reach out to our stationed SHIELD personnel to start prepping ships. Acknowledge. Over." He waited a moment as the pilot spoke back. "Acknowledged sir."
The grizzled man then turned back to face Peter. "Anything else you think should be discussed before we catch some shut-eye? We can discuss our prior conversation after." He said, ignoring the looks he received in return from not only Val but Natasha as well.
Peter shrugged. "Works for me." With that, he reclined in his seat, his backpack a comforting weight on his chest. His last visual of the others showcased them doing the same.
North Sea (SHIELD-manned Ship)
The rest of the flight went smoothly in Peter's opinion. He expected to be grilled more by Fury, but whether it was due to him trusting Peter more or the fact that Val and Natasha both seemed to be highly interested in their conversation he was only questioned more about HYDRA, with the explanation that he is choosing to trust Peter at his word due to Natasha's intel from Death –which was quite a shock to Peter when he heard about that– and his performance yesterday.
The thought of which caused him to wince as he leaned against the ship's railing, backpack slung over his shoulder. Trying to filter out information was a pain without a telepath to view his memories. Peter liked to think though that he helped Fury out enough to plan ahead and who to target first, at least in regards to HYDRA. 'Otto Vermis and his cronies. Baron Zemo, Red Skull, his daughter…wait is she even alive?' He shook his head. 'Just stop thinking about it, Pete. Let Fury handle the world-ending stuff, at least for Earth. You know how it turned out for you last time you tried to go international.'
The young man sighed and stared at the horizon of white as the ship continued heading toward the general coordinates Peter gave. He tried calculating the exact position of where Captain America could be and cursed that his memory was poor in regards to Namor's original strength. The man continued growing in strength as he lived and connected with the ocean. So trying to calculate the point of the Captain's original position was one of futility. The number of variables he had to account for was outrageous, not to mention – 'What's that?' He thought to himself after noticing a group of humanoids marching inward across an ice sheet. They weren't close by any means to the ship, but they were in a file and were carrying odd objects, though he couldn't get the exact shape of them. But ignoring that, 'What the heck are presumably humans doing all the way out here?'
Peter quickly debated what he should do. On the one hand, he was curious, very curious, about what a group of humans were doing out here with suspicious artifacts. On the other, he was on an expedition to search for Captain America, and his parent's assumed he'd be back in around 12-14 hours give or take flight delays for whatever reason. '…I can always run back before the ice sheets disappear and the ship passes them…'
Decision made, Peter quickly dressed in his suit before activating his helmet's com-link. "Fury, Val, Natasha, I'm going to be making a quick detour real quick. Some suspicious humans are marching on our starboard. I'm going to go check it out–"
"Wait what!?"
"Excuse me?"
Fury shouted into his ear, while Val's tone was more surprised. Natasha on the other hand was already running. As he saw from his peripheral vision. 'Probably in an attempt to stop me…not like it would help.' He jumped from the ship with a salute in her direction before sprinting after the humans he saw, leaving the ship to become a small pinprick as the humans he saw became clearer. 'So, not really weird artifacts. Fur-covered bodies, spears, leather-made packs, meat? This is just some Eskimo tribe. But they shouldn't be this far out regardless…'
Spider-Man decided to continue following them to see what they would do, if they continued like this for too long he'd sprint back to the ship.
Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long, as the group quickly came upon a larger group that was surrounding a block of ice with a dark interior in the shape of a man.
'No way…' He thought to himself with a laugh as he focused more on the block of ice. 'Well, I can guess now why Namor threw him. I'd be pissed too if my friend was being worshiped in a block of ice…but that just begs the question of why he didn't just try and unfreeze the Cap himself?' He shook his head. 'Questions for myself later. How am I supposed to get him…' The hero didn't want to have to grab the iced Captain America, but as he was alone he could think of nothing else, he didn't speak Inuit, which could have tons of dialects, and he didn't trust Fury to be gentle with handling this tribe.
Peter shrugged nothing else to it. It's not the first time he's stolen something that was being worshiped; though this was the first time it would probably not be a weapon.
With SHIELD
Fury hated Peter Parker right now. The man-child, yes he was considering his general mental age which based on his actions had to be early twenties –maybe mid-twenties if he was being generous–, didn't give them time to get an expedition team ready. And it was fucking cold out. 'He's like an unholy fusion between Richard, Bucky, and Steve.' He thought to himself with a sigh, tightening his jacket and gloves.
The SHIELD director then turned to the two agents that were assigned to watch over him and were supposed to be gathering an expedition team to gather said VIP.
"Report." He stated evenly, not showing his irritation.
The two SHIELD agents looked at each other for a moment before making to speak "Sir, we–"
Their communicators crackled to life, "I have one Cap'sicle for a Director Fury coming up." Parker's voice reached out cheerily to them.
Fury hastily made to grab his communicator, "Parker, where are you?"
"Check your starboard side," Spider-Man said with a laugh. They all did so and Fury's agents both let out their own laughs, though Natasha quickly stifled it, trying and failing to stop smiling.
Peter was running toward the ship carrying a large block of ice above his head, waving it back and forth and sometimes raising and lowering it in a mock symbol of victory.
Fury pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation. "Agent Val, Widow, go muster the science team to begin prep for reanimation of Captain America."
The two of them moved to do so.
"You know, this works out a lot better for us. Right, Fury?" Peter asked as his form became more clear before he came upon the ship and jumped carrying the block of ice.
Peter landed on the ship and let out another laugh. 'Might be able to make it back home without delays now.'
Fury never replied choosing instead to bark orders to the agent manning the ship to start heading back to Denmark.
A team of scientists then clamored around Peter and tried moving the ice block, but failed to lift it. He had to help them move it to the assigned room where they planned on getting Captain America out of the ice.
After that, time became a blur for Peter as he was called upon to help with reanimating the man. They made it back to the port where their ship was by the time Captain America was completely out of the ice, his iconic shield and mask lay next to him. He was still in a coma though. Which is why they all had to wait for a mobile stretcher and mobile monitoring setup. Fury apparently planned for him to be carried on the jet back with them.
"We've done all we can then. Agent Black Widow, and Agent 14, you'll provide overwatch for Captain America while I discuss further with Spider-Man."
Other than a tightening of Val's face and an inquisitive expression from Natasha they didn't react to the command. Fury, uncaring, motioned for Peter to exit the room and closed the door.
"Now, I believe I said I would talk to you more about Death. And with the intel Natasha brought in, which we'll take as source material due to it coming from the multitude of dead HYDRA agents, what exactly is your relationship with her? Natasha reported that Death viewed it as a date."
Spider-Man was once again thankful for the helmet blocking his face as he started blushing at remembering Death and his conversation. "Ah, well you see –"
"BUCKY!" Steve Roger's voice screamed.
"WAIT! CAPTAIN AMERIC–ugh" Natasha's voice was cut off with a grunt.
Peter rushed in, slamming the door open just in time to see Natasha and Val fail to hold Steve back as he barreled through the two women and run towards Peter.
"RED SKULL!? I HAVE NO IDEA HOW YOU'RE ALIVE BUT I'LL KILL YOU IF YOU DON'T TELL ME WHERE THE HELL BUCKY IS!"
Peter stopped short of his own lunge, slightly appeased that Val and Natasha at most would get a few bruises and confused on why he would be getting yelled at, "Red Sk– Ah you see it's just…"
Whether it was due to his increased dexterity or Steve's blind rage Spider-Man was able to easily redirect Captain America's lunge and toss him to the wall, wherein he webbed him down. "… a helmet. Now Captain America you need to calm down. Can you do that for me?"
The World War II hero struggled under the webbing for a second before his face calmed down to really take in his surroundings. He looked around, noticing two women stretch or rub their shoulders glancing at him in anger. He took in the tall man colored in red and black. He then noticed as someone he knew stepped in, though wounded compared to how he had last known him before.
"Nick?" Captain America whispered confused. He opened and closed his mouth before shaking his head. "Where am I?"
It was asked toward anyone as far as Peter was concerned so he decided to be truthful. "North sea on a ship under the command of SHIELD, a ways off from the coast of Denmark." And, at seeing Fury, Natasha and Val stay silent as Steve processed that information and decided to rip off the band-aid.
"Captain, you've also been in suspended animation in ice for about 60 plus years."
Steve let out a gasp and looked to Fury for confirmation, who nodded his head. "Then…he's gone. Bucky's gone."
Spider-Man frowned beneath his helmet. 'Should I tell him now? He doesn't seem to be in the best position mentally…' He looked to Natasha as he knew they would have spent some time together in the KGB.
Natasha looked back at Peter incredulous, already thinking of why he would be looking at her 'Does he want me to tell THE Captain America his sidekick was run ragged in the KGB killing for them? I didn't want to spend more than an hour with him at the time. I doubt that would be great to hear and I like life.' She shook her head minutely.
Seeing her shake her head Peter sighed and moved to apply the solvent, Steve looked like he wouldn't try to fight, at least right now as he processed the information.
Fury grunted, "We'll discuss the topic of Bucky after we get you reacquainted with the world Captain. There's a lot you need to get caught up on. Spider-Man, agents, would you mind giving us the room."
Wincing at Fury's callous tone but not really seeing a reason why he should stay Spider-Man nodded. "Sure, maybe Val and Natasha can play some games with me. Lord knows no other SHIELD agents would be willing to." With that, he exited as the solvent did its work. Fury moving to direct Rogers to the cot.
"You don't really expect us to play games do you?" Natasha asked once they were in an adjacent room, and at seeing his tilted head continued. "SHIELD doesn't carry games on its expeditions and I doubt you are carrying any on your person." Val nodded her head in agreement.
"Au contraire my lovely femme Fatales," Peter pulled out two dark shades from his utility belt. "BEHOLD!" He said with a dramatic flair. At the lack of response except for some raised eyebrows he grunted handing them both one. "Can you just put them on?"
Again looking at one another they shrugged before grabbing the sunglasses and putting them on. Val frowned, "Uh now what? It's just darker now."
"Now…" Peter started before snapping his fingers and activating his 'Stake Out' protocol, specifically the 'Time Passer'. He got the reactions he was hoping for when they both gasped in surprise at seeing the light show displayed on their glasses. "…we choose a game to play. Welcome to the wonders of holographic technology…on a small scale at least. It's augmented reality for right now." He said with a grin.
"Nat, you want to go first?" Spider-Man asked the spy.
She looked at him in confusion and looked like she was going to berate him before shrugging, "I'm not sure how to pick."
He laughed, "Just move your hand and 'tap' the game you want to play. Val and I will get a notification to accept or decline."
A moment passed as Black Widow kept moving her hand in a constant wave searching through the games before she nodded to herself and tapped the game.
Stake-Out Member #1 Would like to play 'UNO' Accept? Yes/No
Peter couldn't help but laugh as he accepted the game and noticed Val accept as well.
Natasha scowled as whatever program ran the game dished out their cards. 'What's so funny?'
Noticing her scowl Peter smiled, "I'm only laughing because I wasn't expecting such a game from you."
Appeased somewhat, she nodded at him neutrally. "Ah well, I've heard of this game only. It's my first time playing so please go easy on me." But the games afterward showed she still had it out for him as she learned how to play, that or she was hustling him. Causing Peter to let out dramatic sighs and sobs, eventually causing Val to join in on what he would call teaming up, and what both women said was strategizing.
By the time Fury and Steve came to collect them, their talk presumably done, Peter was on a losing streak. The women deciding to team up on him for whatever reason. Though he wasn't really angry, he got some laughs and smiles out of it.
"All done?" Spider-Man asked seeing the two men walk in. Fury was as stone-faced as ever, while Captain America was pensive but still looked at them curiously.
"Yes. Um, Fury gave me the cliff notes version of what's happened. It looks like I have you to thank for finding me Mr. Spider-Man." Steve said with a nervous smile, still feeling awkward about earlier.
"Please call me Spider-Man. Mr. Spider-Man was my father." Peter said jokingly, not able to help himself. 'Looks like Fury is even keeping my identity a secret from Steve. That's pretty awesome of him to do.' He continued, "But yes I was the one to direct SHIELD here to pick you up." Directing his questioning to Fury he continued, "So what's the plan now?"
The director sighed, "Now we go back to the states."
Spider-Man stood up, Natasha and Valentina following. "Well then, let's skedaddle. Ladies, if you would?" He asked, hand reaching toward them both.
Val smirked, but handed over her pair, while Nat calmly handed hers over with a smile. "That was fun." She said.
Stowing the glasses away, he nodded to Fury. "Let's head out then. To the airport, we go."
Parker Home
They arrived on time for Peter's parents not to throw a fuss. And his parents also thankfully didn't question him about his trip to let him sleep. Or at least, that was the plan. Teresa wanted to know every little thing about it.
"And then what did you do?" his little sister asked starry-eyed.
"Then I grabbed this huuuuuuge ice block that had a man inside from the tribe and ran allllll the way back to the ship," Peter said dramatically with his hands above his head. Teresa enjoyed the story and show, even if she was getting a little too old to believe everything he said.
"After that, I helped the man in the ice escape and we went our separate ways." Peter finished. "Can I go to bed now?"
Teresa latched onto him for a hug. "Fine, but I wanna play a game with you when you wake up."
Peter chuckled, "Sure sis." He gave her and his parents one last hug before heading to bed.
"Oh, Peter. Before you go. We have a meeting with the Greek ambassador tomorrow." Richard said to his son.
Confused, but too tired to think it over he just nodded his head. "'Kay dad. I'll be sure to prepare."
The Next Day (Parker Industries)
While Peter didn't sleep the whole day away yesterday, he couldn't find an excuse to leave the house so he could patrol as Spider-man. 'Not that Natasha or Val probably would have been awake. Which would probably leave me with some unknown SHIELD agent that would not be prepared to follow Spider-man around.'
He was getting side-tracked, so he spent the majority of yesterday playing video games with his sister and then questioned by his parents about what exactly he did. As they took his story to Teresa as a lie or at least a heavy exaggeration.
The certainly more 'scientific' story he told them was about the reanimation of an old American Hero and while his parents didn't press him for who exactly, his dad gained a glint in his eye and was more animated before they had to head to bed.
The young man chuckled to himself, 'My dad almost acted like a kid. If I didn't know any better. I'm guessing he already is thinking of who it could be.'
He was currently working on improving the holo-tech he used to make augmented reality glasses.
'This would go a lot easier if I had Mysterio's knowledge. I'm teaching myself what he knew and it's slowing me down when combined with all my other projects.' He thought to himself with a sigh. 'Wait, where is Quentin about now? Is he still in Hollywood?…' A quick search brought up that he was. Peter bit his lip. 'If I get my dad to offer him a job…' Quentin was always more interested in the spectacle and fame of his actions. 'I remember him bemoaning the fact that he just wished that his works were recognized. If we get this tech working for public use he'd certainly get that.'
The hero hummed in thought again, 'Would he be satisfied with that?'
Snkt
The sound of his office door opening interrupted him from his thoughts. He turned to greet his visitor, seeing that it was Silver, carrying a bag in her left hand.
"Good morning." She said, moving to walk around his desk to stand near him, hip cocked to the side, an arm holding onto her waist. She was wearing a tank top and shorts that matched her hair and headband color. Combined with her pose it was provocative, at least to Peter, showcasing her large bust and taut abdomen since he was so close. 'Pretty sure if she turned around I'd seeeeeeeee– Stop it brain.'
Peter blushed and looked away. "Uh, good morning Silver. What brings you here? We got that meeting with the Greek ambassador soon if I recall correctly."
She moved to stand in front of him with a glare, not letting herself be out of his vision. "I believe you said you'd schedule a time slot in your day to be questioned by me, and then I said to make it an hour for a sparring session after." She leaned over his still sitting form then, as if to dare him to try looking away from her.
He succeeded despite wanting to fail, not that he thought that helped as she grew even more stern, a tightening of her eyes at seeing him stare back into her eyes only.
"So imagine my surprise when you didn't do that the day you said you would, and then you also left for an entire day yesterday…Without notifying me." She said with the same piercing stare, a tinge of hurt entering her voice. "I like to think we have a good personal relationship even if I am contracted to your family company." Seeing him rapidly nod his head she continued, "Good. I was more hurt by the lack of notification than the time spent away. I do notify you of my whereabouts when I am not here after all. So, as your friend I am asking you to make it up to me right now with the hour you promised me, and for yesterday it will be a sparring session in totality."
The young man felt some sweat travel the back of his neck, "But what about the Greek Ambassador? He's set to arrive in an hour. I'll be…sweaty than when I meet him." He tried saying in protest.
She snorted, flickering her eyes over his seated form so fast if he didn't have an increased reaction time he'd swear it was a trick of the light. "Oh please. You'll have time for a quick shower, plus you'll probably look more relaxed from not being able to gain any stress from over an hour of working out. Therefore you'll look more confident, always a good look on you."
Peter sighed, 'If I try to protest I feel like she'd eventually relent, but hold it against me for a couple of days. Which doesn't really seem consequential in the grand scheme of things…except I hate pissing off the people close to me. Nothing hurts me more.' He blinked and nodded his head. "Fine, but I didn't bring a change of clo–"
Spider-Sense: watch ou–…oh it's just a bag from Silver.
The bag in her hand quickly found itself meeting with his face. Deciding that the intensity of the warning his Spider-Sense gave him was not worth the dodge.
"What did you think was in the bag I was carrying? Get dressed. I'll meet you in your empty dojo room." She said confidently, already turning to walk away…meaning Peter saw her retreating form.
Showcasing her heart-shaped butt and powerful toned legs, her shorts moving to show the barest hint of inner thi–.
'…Gah what am I doing.' He shook his head and noticed Silver turning her head back towards the exit a glint of some emotion on her face, the door closing behind her shortly after.
'…She totally caught me staring.' He facepalmed, Death and his conversation echoing in his mind.
"Then tell her my champion."
'Easier said than done. Telling someone you like them is a monumental task. Not to mention…I don't actually lov–' He shook his head, time spent with someone doesn't equate to greater feelings of love, and to be fair to Silver, the only reason he never thought about her that way was due to his earlier reservations on relationships. So to voice that he would try…'Not today. I said I'd give it a chance, and that means giving Silver a shot at being a more important part of my life and heart, but not today. It's too soon.'
Resolute, he decided to undress and store his suit in his backpack. Turning to open Silver's gifted bag he pulled out the clothes inside, laying them out to stare at them, mouth agape. 'I think she meant to showcase my previous musculature, which I'd now guess for some form of eye candy, but now…' He gave himself a personal look over. While he wasn't as physically built as he was in the future he was slightly thicker than he was before. 'And since I've been wearing long-sleeves since the bite she probably wasn't expecting any different.'
He sighed to himself, putting on the clothes. A simple gray tank top and black shorts, both of which hugged tighter to his frame than what he assumed Silver initially wanted. 'These might as well be what the Aussies call Stubbies.' He thought to himself, pulling on the shorts to try and see if they could reach his knees, and internally cried when they wouldn't. 'Well, she'll get more than she bargained for.'
Exiting his office, bringing the black widow, now in its terrarium –he didn't like being apart from it when at the building–, and entering the dojo he saw Silver finishing her pre-workout stretching.
She was stretching out her triceps. Meaning her chest was either unintentionally 'Or probably intentionally.' pressed outward. He looked away and knocked on the wall. "Um, I'm here. Just gonna set…I don't have a name for it yet but gonna just set my spider down to watch."
Setting his pet, 'Could it be called a pet?', down on a counter meant normally for bags he walked toward her till he was standing about 5 feet away. Silver for her part was now gawking at his form as he walked closer. Her eyes drifted very noticeably up and down and hanging around his abdomen where his tank top rode up showing a hint of skin.
'Was he always this muscular? He seems…bigger if only slightly. That shirt shows his abs very clearly…mmmm...very clearly…it's almost short enough for me to see…' She shook her head, blaming his more impressive physique on her own attraction and a combination of not seeing him with so few clothes in a while.
Silver forced herself to relax and entered her preferred martial stance, prepared now for a spar.
'A version of Pencak Silat if I remember correctly since she likes using blades.' Peter thought to himself.
"So, uh, when do we stop?" He asked warily, not standing in any specific form just yet.
The bodyguard smirked, "Until I say we do. But for each round, it'll be until one of us reasonably is stopped if this was a real battle. So a bone-breaking position held for 5 seconds, vital organ area 'stabbed' more than 3 times, or a choke-hold being held for 10 seconds – of course with no actual choking. The winner will call stop then and we can take a 5-minute break. That work for you?"
Peter's eyes squinted at the rules noting that it's the most 'realistic' they've had so far before nodding his head. "Yup."
"Then let's begin." She said, giving him no quarter as she lunged forward aiming for a sweeping kick.
Peter frowned as he back-stepped, dodging her sweep, and began blocking her jabs and hooks that followed. Making sure to recoil as she connected so as not to hurt her hands. His Spider-Sense helping him out easily in his goal. 'Gotta be extra careful with my strength and durability here. It can't just be at the level of not injuring her, that would be too great of an increase compared to how I was before still. I have to be very delicate here to where my blows will simulate my earlier strength, maybe a bit stronger though would be okay.'
Plan now made somewhat in regards to how to handle Silver, Peter went on the offensive.
Silver dodged a telegraphed jab from her employer, growling internally 'He's holding back? Does he think I want to win without a challenge? I don't need pity. I want a fight.' At his next attack, a right hook, she ducked and made to tackle him, noticing how he tensed as though to dodge before he relaxed and instead stayed still, letting her knock him to the ground and straddle his waist.
Silver's blue eyes stared down at him with a glare, not even attempting to hold him down, and noticed how his eyes were panicked as he moved his hands to her waist, very slowly based on the tensing of the muscles in his arms. 'We're not having sex, we're fighting! So why is he trying to treat me so delicately? He's leaving himself open for a variety of attacks right now. This isn't how I or his parents taught him!'
Silver glared at Peter then as he grabbed her waist in a manner similar to how he could before and made to pull her off him. 'Maybe I should move into a leg lock? Yeah that sou–' He stopped thinking as his Spider-Sense blared.
Spider-Sense: MOVE MOVE MOVE
Listening and reacting he pushed her off of him, letting his strength reach heights to where he knew she could reasonably withstand based on his memories of her fighting other enhanced humans and dodged her attack. Which was more of a rough slap as her palm smacked the padded floor right where his family jewels were previously.
He gaped and was unprepared for her to lock his leg in a knee-bar, his Spider-Sense only lightly humming compared to the danger it noted before. Silver was glaring at him. "Submit. This is my win."
Peter nodded numbly and she let his leg go to move back to sit next to him.
Closing her eyes to breathe deeply she waited for a moment before speaking to him. And he watched as her shoulders raised and fell. "Why are you holding back?" She suddenly asked, her blue eyes staring into his own hazel ones.
He chuckled nervously, "What do you mean, you've always been able to kick my ass. I'd say you did so just as easily as before."
The bodyguard shook her head angrily, "That may be so, but from your body's movements throughout the fight you've shown me that you're holding yourself back from what you can do." Breathing deeply again, she then stared at him glumly, asking, "So I ask again why are you holding back? Do you think I just want to win? I enjoy are spars not only because of the rush from a good fight, win or lose, but because I consider it a way to show our trust in each other and a way to let loose safely." She scowled at him, "So when I see you holding yourself back I feel angry and rejected. I'm not some doll that you're playing with and you normally don't treat me that way."
Peter winced and looked toward the ceiling as though it had the answers.
"Then tell her my champion." Death's words echoed again in his brain.
He thought to himself what he should do before nodding his head, turning to stare into her angry gaze. "I hear you, Silver." He winced at the unwavering stare she gave him, "So I'll stop holding back." At seeing her move her mouth to speak, probably in an attempt to ask him why in the first place he continued, "Please trust me in saying that I can't tell you why. At least right now." He shook his head, "Actually I'm amending that statement to a more of I don't want to tell you."
That made her actually stare at him as though he wounded her, her eyes started to shine and she made to move away, to which he quickly tried to qualm any of her concerns. "It's not because I don't think you're undeserving of knowing why, or that I won't ever tell you. So please believe me when I say it has everything to do with my own feelings and wanting to keep your image of me in a good light. I swear that's all."
She stayed silent as she composed herself. Silver nodded, "Fine. I'll not ask you again, but don't hold back."
Nodding back, the both of them then stood. Silver entered the same stance as before, while Peter decided to instead start by showing her first before telling her about his state and status; entering the stance of the 'Way of the Spider'.
The young man chuckled at seeing her stare at his new stance. 'I've been holding myself back always trying to learn the martial arts both Silver and my parents have taught me. While they eventually have become second nature that was only because I've incorporated each concept into what Shang-Chi and I created.'
"BEGIN!" Silver shouted as she thrust herself forward for a jab aimed at his throat.
Spider-Sense: Throat jab with the right hand, +%+% – Simulated knife jab with the left hand toward the liver. Whoa, what?
Following his Spider-Sense, he redirected Silver's jab to the side and kneed her left hand just as it was about to move. Surprised, she was unprepared for him to circle behind her and push his right leg over her own, wrapping around it, and pulled her to the floor with his arms locked around her neck in a choke-hold.
Instinct and her own will quickly awakened her from her stupor and she tried elbowing him in the chest to force his body to recoil, while the other hand tried to gain purchase and pull the arm around her neck away to simulate relieving pressure. Both attempts failed and were retried until he released her after 10 seconds. "My win?"
She got up and stared at him warily, but nodded her head. "Again." She demanded.
Peter sighed but acquiesced. 'To be fair, that was so quick neither of us are really tired.'
"Begin." Silver calmly said, this time waiting for him to attack first.
Seeing how she wasn't moving to attack him first this time, Peter went in for a kick toward her stomach. She dodged accordingly, so he aimed for the pressure points on her arms.
As soon as one of his hits connected, her arm falling limply to her side, he saw the moment Silver decided to stop treating it like their normal spars as she became a bit more ferocious in her attacks. Massaging her arm to let the blood flow and awaken the nerves Peter hit.
That round ended with Peter on Silver's back holding her arm up behind her where if he pushed any further, he'd break it.
Standing up she backed away, a determined look on her face. "Again." She calmly stated, completely at odds with her expression.
A leg lock was Peter's next win.
"Again."
Jabbing her liver 3 times, while holding her arm up and away from her netted him the next.
"Again."
Another choke-hold, this time while both were standing, not for a lack of Silver trying to bring it to the ground.
"Again."
She was getting better as the rounds continued, lasting longer and making more hits. Requiring Peter to recoil at the moment of impact so as not to hurt her. Though if he was really trying she'd never hit him in the first place, but it was supposed to be a spar.
It continued for the full hour. Repeat upon repeat the outcome was still the same. Peter never went full out on her, and she never commented on it. 'She must have some idea that I need to hold back for her literal safety now.'
Slamming her against the floor he jabbed at her throat in quick succession causing her to sigh even as she accepted the hand helping her up.
"One more." She said. Sweat dripped along her skin causing him to blush and look away. "Just one more, please. And just so you know…this was still fun…even if I am on a losing streak." She said with a smirk.
He nodded a grin on his face.
"Begin!"
Peter aimed for Silver's solar plexus first, deciding to wind her and leave her open to any succeeding blows.
She dodged, as she quickly learned that blocking one of his hits left her body momentarily stunned, even if she wanted to move. She then aimed for his neck also learning that aiming for any non-vital organs on his body would take too long to whittle him down, the only way for her to conceivably win was to take him 'out' as fast as possible. 'He's not even breathing hard. The sweat he does have is just from moving around and the collective body heat.'
Silver cursed internally as he caught her arm. He made to fl–
Snkt
"Oh?" Was Richard's greeting upon seeing his son and their contracted bodyguard mid-spar.
Peter was holding Silver's arm above her head as he was about to throw her. And Silver, due to said arm being raised was forced to move along with it, causing her to be pressed up against Peter as he stopped.
Peter quickly released Silver and stood facing his dad. Noticing the guests he had with them. 'No way…Elektra!?' The future assassin was wearing casual clothes from a denim store, while the man next to her opted to wear clothes that stated he was going to be at the beach, not a business meeting. 'Very very informal.'
"Ah, I see your son is also training in martial arts." The Greek man said to his father. "It's not often I see parents doing what I did and train their children in the art of self-defense. Very commendable."
"Papa, I think it's safe to say you went beyond what was normal," Elektra said softly. A glint in her eye as she took in Peter and Silver. "You were about to throw her correct?" She asked her blue eyes piercing his own, a glint of mirth entering her tone.
Peter looked at her confused before registering her question. "Oh, yeah, I was. Apologies, by the way, everyone. I asked Silver to spar and lost track of time."
Said woman tossed him a look but didn't call him out on his lie. Though his dad did give him a look that said 'I know you must be lying.' Causing Peter to let out a small grin. Though Elektra's dad didn't seem to mind.
"Ah, it's fine young man. Actually, if you don't mind Richard, I wouldn't mind seeing the end of their spar right now, we can have our meeting after. My daughter is also an accomplished martial artist, but she hasn't seen or experienced much except learning from her tutors. I think it'd be good to show her experiences outside of what she's dealt with." The mustached man said.
Based on the stance and look inside Elektra's eyes though, Peter would guess that she's been out fighting on her own. 'Good Ol' teenage rebellion…Wait she hasn't been killing has she?'
"Hm, sure," Richard responded to the man. He then turned to his son, "What do you say, Peter?"
"Sure. I don't mind if Silver doesn't." He said, looking toward the woman for her response.
She was staring at Elektra with a piercing gaze before turning to nod at Peter. 'She seems highly interested in Peter already…' She thought to herself.
"Great. Then please, everyone enjoy the show." Peter quipped, feeling a little nervous. 'I've never fought for someone's entertainment. At least not as Peter Parker. It's honestly a little embarrassing.'
Standing apart and facing each other again, Silver nodded once more at Peter, stating. "Begin."
Lunging forward, Peter decided to copy Silver from the first round and aimed to sweep her legs.
Spider-Sense: Grapple towards your attacking leg incoming.
Moving his leg out of her way, he dodged the kick that followed after and aimed a jab at the sciatic nerve in her extended leg. The hit landed, as she quickly retracted and tensed the leg. Its movements became lethargic as the nerve deadened.
Glaring, Silver feinted a jab at his throat. Deciding to take a risk he grabbed the offending limb and drilled with his other hand the bicep of her isolated arm, seeing her wince. Not done, he decided to capitalize on her 'injured' state and shifted his foot behind hers and pushed her backward, ignoring the hook that landed against his jaw.
'Now to finish it.' Going down with her, Peter straddled her chest and jabbed, lightly, at her neck thrice causing her to sigh in defeat.
"I win." He grinned down at her before moving to help her stand up, which she accepted.
"Superb, Mr. Parker. What did you think Elektra?" The Greek man asked his daughter.
Elektra for her part was pleased. While tame compared to what she was used to being trained in by The Hand, the spar in front of her was about as rough as it could get without any serious injuries to affect either of the participants' daily lives. 'Especially when I know this Silver Sable belongs to the famous Wild Pack. There are rumors the daughter of the current leader was operating in New York when not attending missions. I'm positive this is her. Meaning unless The Hand was wrong, Mr. Parker here is already very skilled for his age…I can see why they want him.'
Grinning she replied, "Excellent. Though I do want to ask if I may spar with one of you after my family's business is concluded. I admit to wanting to test my own skills as my father said. And hopefully, make some friends here in New York." She smiled shyly, which was at odds with how Peter pictured her. 'Either she's a good actor, or she becomes really jaded later in life…well that or she simply acts like this in a more personal setting.'
Richard chuckled nervously looking to both Silver and Peter, "That's new, uh guys? Any of you want to volunteer."
Peter smiled nervously, 'I don't know if I should accept. Would it look weird for me to be able to go again with so little rest? My body isn't technically at an adult level yet so I might be pushing the limits of believable end–'
"Sure. I'll spar with you afterward." Silver suddenly said face stone. 'It'll be a good way to gather her intentions.'
Elektra grinned, "Splendid. Papa, I think we should take our leave and let these two get dressed in more comfortable clothes yes? Mr. Parker looks like he might soon rip out of his own clothes otherwise."
Peter looked at his dad confused, his dad didn't look like he was about to burst from his clothes.
Richard facepalmed at noticing his son's gaze and motioned to Peter with his other hand. Causing Peter to look down and notice that his shorts were straining against his thighs, stretched to their limit from the movements he made. The tank top he was wearing thankfully didn't stretch much 'Probably because it already covers so little.'
"Ah, yeah I think I'll go change real quick. Dad, we'll meet in your office after I'm done." Peter said, before throwing a smile toward the Natchios' way as he walked around them to grab his pet spider and exited. Silver shortly following him.
'A black widow? How…macabre…' The Greek woman thought to herself curiously, if the boy kept that as a pet he might be easier to sway than she thought.
"We'll talk later, yes?" Silver asked, in step with him as they left the room.
"Yes." He said softly.
She nodded, "Please. Do try and meet with me when you feel comfortable." She darted off to her own locker area on another floor, not waiting to hear his reply.
Peter sighed and looked at the spider in his hands. It stared back at him. "Wish me luck on that future conversation."
The spider's whole body seemed to move up and down, causing Peter to stop and stare before deciding it was just the spider moving with his gait as it was being carried. 'Maybe I'm just mentally tired?'
Getting dressed in his previous clothes he made his way to his father's office.
"Ah, Peter. Thank you for joining so quickly. I didn't do so before, but let me introduce you to the Greek Ambassador to the United States. Hugo Natchios. And this is his daughter Elektra Natchios. I believe she tagged along mainly due to not knowing anyone here in New York, correct?" Richard greeted his son, before introducing their guests, directing the last question to them.
Elektra smiled, "Correct Mr. Parker. I apologize for coming unannounced, but after hearing that my father would be meeting with the famous Parker Industries, at least in America, for a business deal I asked if I could join."
The newly named Hugo laughed and patted his daughter on the back, "She left out the part where she helped me find a business that would help suit Greece's needs. And put forth your company's name."
"Oh, of course, thank you, young lady. Let's get started then…"
While his father laughed and took those words at face value, Peter's mind raced at the possibilities of what that meant. 'The figure who was searching around the building, it must be her no one else right now has the skills to move around like that…but why? From what Matt's told me about her, they met in college…which means she just arrived here in the US and has yet to meet him, she should not be connected to the hero or villain lifestyle yet, and hopefully never if I have anything to say about it, but the question still stands…' Deciding to think over it later he brought his mind back to the meeting now beginning proper. Though from the small smirk Elektra sent his way he wasn't doing a very good job of hiding that his thoughts were elsewhere. Causing him to smile shyly.
Later
"…Well, Hugo, I think we've come up with a satisfactory deal with what Parker Industries can do for the nation of Greece. As a gift would you perhaps accept the two newest prototypes my son has invented?" Richard offered.
Hugo smiled widely, something Peter thinks he was used to doing based on the lines forming on his aged face, "You know I won't deny it would put my heart at ease to wear something as vaunted as your VIP body armor for myself and my daughter. I've heard from my United States counterpart that it fits like a glove and feels like a second skin."
"Oh please, while it's certainly lightweight and I tried to make it malleable enough for no movement restrictions it still isn't that advanced yet," Peter said humbly a small smile on his face.
"Non-sense young man. It'd do you well to learn to accept a compliment when it comes your way." The man retorted, chortling.
Seeing as how they needed to gather the newest iteration of the body armor Peter's made, they stopped briefly by his room dedicated to developing new synthetic polymers. 'And hopefully, eventually, some form of liquid body armor that isn't metal for normal use.' His mind briefly went to the Symbiote venom and how it sparked his idea of making liquid metal for the Mk. IV before shaking his head. He didn't like dwelling on the creature even though he lost much of his anger for it. He was unlikely to have to deal with it as it was locked away on some far-off planet. 'Wait is the Beyonder a thing again?… God, I hope not.'
Arriving at the room and subsequently handing out the latest iteration of his body armor the Natchios' quickly put on the body armor. Though Elektra did ask for Peter's help which was a load of bull in his mind but he acquiesced without any fuss, something Hugo thanked him for. 'Something is definitely weird here.'
She gave him a charming smile in thanks before moving to stretch in front of him next to her father.
"So?" Richard asked, "How does it feel?"
"I was told it fits like a glove. I believe it. Elektra?" Hugo said with a laugh.
'Amazing. While a little thicker than I would prefer I can still barely notice the weight. The only con is that my mobility is still restricted if only slightly.' She smiled, this time flirtatiously at Peter. "Amazing. Can I get it in red? And if possible can you make a thinner version."
Not immune to a beautiful woman throwing him a smile in sincerity, let alone a flirtatious looking one, Peter had a light dusting on his cheeks and nodded his head, "Sure to both, though you might want to wait on a thinner version for the same amount of protection. Mr. Natchios, do you want a different color as well?"
The man hummed, "No, I think this is fine. I planned to wear this under my clothes anyways."
Richard clapped his hands, "Great. There will be a batch of these heading to Greece in a month as we promised. Now, I believe the young lady here was promised a spar by my son's bodyguard."
A quick call for Silver, along with orders to bring a change of clothes for Elektra to change into was completed in short order.
Elektra for some reason decided to stretch lightly after changing, which made Peter feel like the odd one out for blushing among the men. The clothes accentuated her form just as much as they did Silver's. Even if they were less revealing than Silver's previous choice of clothes earlier.
"Then tell them my champion" Death's word echoed again, this time the words twisted to fit what his mind was thinking of.
He shook his head, 'Silver must have meant for that to be a type of show for both of us then. God, if she kills me after I tell her, please let it be quick. Amen.'
Peter watched as the two women stood apart from each other ready to begin.
"Same rules as my spar against my employer?" Silver asked.
"They are?"
"No debilitating injuries, Winner is decided by either 3 simulated stabs to a vital area, a choke-hold position only," She stressed, "held for 10 seconds, or holding a bone-breaking position for more than 5 seconds."
Elektra hummed, 'As I thought, pretty tame even compared to Stick. He wasn't afraid to break his trainee's limbs even in a spar.' She nodded, "Understood. I am ready."
She entered an Aikido stance from what Peter could tell, pulling from his limited knowledge of martial arts.
"Begin." Silver stated, before moving slowly forward. Testing her opponent.
The Greek woman also slowly moved, already aware of her opponent's reputation.
Whether it was because he himself was aware of both women's reputations in the potential future and has fought side by side with them or simply because he could tell that Silver had an ax to grind Peter felt like the tension was palpable. Though both Hugo and Richard simply waited with bated breath, an excited smile on the former's face and one of curiosity on the latter.
Elektra's hand connected with Silver's outstretched one, making to grab it. Allowing herself to be pulled she kneed her opponent's thigh or at least tried to as Elektra let go of Silver's limb to step back and redirect the knee attack.
Both women stepped back for a reprieve before lunging toward each other with kicks. Eyes narrowing, their spar descended into a flurry of fists and kicks as each woman started changing their stances and forms. Their hands connected with a limb before they were redirected. Kicks were stopped short as each opponent started to get a better read on the other.
Eventually, though, Silver seemed to flag and was hit again on the sciatic nerve, the same one Peter hit earlier and her form faltered opening her to a follow-up jab to the jaw. Elektra's eyes lit up in glee and allowed her arm to extend out further than normal for a full-force punch.
Silver smirked sliding the injured leg behind her opponent's and due to Elektra's extended arm was susceptible to being thrown down with a push.
Blue eyes drawn in surprise, she tried to clench her legs around Silver's but failed as she seemed to prepare for that and grabbed one of her legs and twisted, lightly, and stomped on the other leg holding her in place for the stated 5 seconds.
'If this woman wasn't over-confident and had more battle experience it might have ended in a tie.' Silver thought to herself before extending a hand to her opponent, who after a moment accepted the hand and stood up. "Good fight. If I may be so bold, your mistake was thinking you could hit as hard as Peter and deaden my sciatic nerve. I've trained since I was young to increase my pain tolerance.'
Elektra nodded accepting the criticism for what it was, "It was a good fight. And thank you for the criticism. Maybe we can spar again sometime?" She offered. 'Even if that was a more tame method of sparring. Different opponents will be good for my own experience. Plus maybe…'
Smiling now, Silver nodded her head. "I think I would like that. Though maybe you can try your hand against Peter."
'Is she over whatever it was that was setting her off? Maybe that saying about learning someone's true self through your fists has merit…' Then her words registered in his mind.
"Wait what?!" He shouted, face aghast. Causing his dad and Hugo to laugh.
"I must say Ms. Sablinova you do your father's reputation well. And I'm glad to see that it seems like Elektra made a friend." Hugo said.
"I think so as well papa."
Peter stared as Silver nodded her head and smiled softly. "Yes, I think she'd make a great rival."
Elektra smiled in response. "Then I look forward to helping us both grow."
"Well, I'm glad it ended amicably. Why don't we all get some late lunch?" Richard offered.
Other than a great lunch with most of the tension now gone, the rest of the day passed with little fanfare.
Peter's patrol as Spider-Man only amounted to a bank robbery that failed before it could start properly as he webbed up the criminals, leaving a sticky note with his name on it for the police.
Natasha followed him throughout the day leisurely as well. Only checking in with him when needed, her voice was noticeably more relaxed when speaking to him. Instead of the more professional SHIELD agent, she came across as at first, and more like the Natasha he knew. Perhaps also feeling the calmness of the day. 'Wait, the Natasha I knew was a bit of a flirt…'
The people of New York were already starting to get used to him; he saw some kids already looking at him in awe!
'Other than me still not knowing why Elektra decided to hang around the building and apparently be the reason for her dad to meet with the company, today was a good day.' The future conversation with Silver then entered his mind causing him to pale in worry. 'I spoke too soon, but she did say to speak to her when I'm comfortable…I'll do it another day.'
Waving to his parents and sister Peter made his way to his room to put away his backpack before spending some time with his family.
'Peter Parker. Are you able to hear me?' Cassandra Webb's voice echoed throughout his head.
He paused. '…Madame Web?'
Her sigh echoed in his head, 'So it is true.'
Peter's mental tone was one of confusion, 'I'm sorry?'
'Your past young man. Specifically only your past. I hesitated to believe it even if the entity known as Death proved herself before me. Which by the way, do you know how disconcerting that was? To be approached by the personification of Death at my age?' Cassandra said chidingly.
'…It's not really my fault…' Was Peter's reply, unsure of how to act since this wasn't the same Cassandra Webb he grew to call a friend.
She sighed, 'That's beside the point. Which is that you need to prepare to perform your duties as Death's champion.'
'…Which ones exactly?' Peter said hesitantly, his mind recalling what Death considered their relationship to be, before shaking his head. 'Scratch that she'd probably reach out to me personally if that was the case. So what do I need to do?'
While Peter couldn't see her he could tell that she was hesitant to tell him. 'Is it that bad?'
She sighed frustration, 'You are going to be called upon by the Sorcerer Supreme and represent Earth and Death respectively in a battle that will take place years before the current year. The ruler of the Dark Dimension is threatening the barrier between someone named the One Below All and his own dimension…and will leave an opening into Earth if he breaks it.'
Peter was horrified, 'Ex-fucking-scuse me?! I'M GOING TO WHAT?!'
And we're done with this chapter. If you have any criticisms please feel free to write them and I'll do my best to answer if it's not a spoiler. (Like the fight scenes? I know they got a little wordy/technical but it was sparring not battle. So while it's fast-paced its not "fast-paced")
That said, I want to preface two things.
When researching Elektra and comparing her to Silver Sable this conclusion was the best I could come up with BEFORE she gained any enhancements. I wholeheartedly believe that Elektra would be able to stalemate Sable if she had more real-world experience other than the battles that are pretty much dangerous spars that the Hand has been teaching her. (I know they've had her kill before and she's done so as well, but those are all in controlled environments.) That's not even accounting for her canonical enhancements which would have her simply wipe the floor with a peak human being with no enhancements at all. I hope that accounts for why she lost the spar.
And, "Why is the barrier for the Below Place already being weakened when Death just stated that they tightened the barrier?" I'll go into more detail next chapter as Peter is curious about that as well but suffice to say that the barrier can be weakened by entities other than the four cosmic entities of Death, Oblivion, Eternity, and Infinity. But as a slight spoiler, what they did was prevent the One Below All from being able to communicate outwardly. After all, as far as they know he (OBA) convinced the First Firmament and others to do a coordinated attack on the multi-verse. To prevent this they simply tweaked said barrier to prevent him from being able to communicate at all except inside the Below Place.
Also! All I'll say is that Dormammu has convened with Nightmare and as deities or rulers of their own dimensions/concepts feel that what will come to pass is within normal Marvel rules for suspension of disbelief.
Thank you for your time!
EDIT: I forgot to mention the story has a TVTropes page now. The link is on AO3 or referenced on my profile! Feel free to add to it!
2nd EDIT: If you do decide to review let me also know what you think of the occasional 3rd Person Omniscient view. I might go back to last chapter's 3rd person limited and switch POVs if a majority of reviewers decide it provides a better viewing experience! I feel comfortable either way.