The Other Way
By Freddyfrmelmst
Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel Comics, The MCU or the House of Mouse all that is owned by people more well off then me.
They were all gathered here by the Ancient One.
Ezekiel Sims the Spider-Totem, Madame Web the Psychic and Telepath, Doctor Anthony Druid the Ancient One's Former Apprentice and Stick of the Chaste.
"My friend's I've gathered you all together because I need your help." The Ancient One started off.
"Can we skip the flowery bullshit, and you just tell us what you want?" grumbled Stick all the magic in the air was causing him to feel unnerved.
"Very well Stick. There is a young man barely 13 years old, his name is Peter Parker, and he is the Chosen Spider-Totem."
This brought the group up short.
"He is a chosen totem. Ezekiel questioned.
"Yes, Ezekiel in less than a year's time young Mr. Parker will be bitten by a Spider and given the gift of the Totem.
"You need us to help teach him, don't you?" Madam Web asked.
"Not Quite, the Young Man here is a Hero this world will need but because of how he learns and is taught after he gets his powers, he will never accept the Mystic side of this gift and believe it to be solely science based. I have checked millions of other timelines and it seems his greatest times come when he is trained and mentored by Stick's wayward Apprentice."
"Matty?" Stick asked.
"Yes, old friend together they forge a bond that will both strengthen them both as well as propel them to heights no one could imagine."
"So, Master what do you want us to do?" asked Doctor Druid.
"Anthony, I'd like you to relocate to the building where Mister Parker lives. When he finds his way to you teach him about the existence of the Supernatural, then when he is gifted, the Totem introduce Stick to him to teach him to handle his enhanced Senses. Stick will train him and introduce him to Mr. Murdock and pass him off to finish Peter's training. Madame Web will be there to feed information to Mr. Parker in his dreams. And as the Young Man is a Genius in his own wright that will one day rival the greatest minds out there, I figure Ezekiel could provide support to young man as well as teach him about the History of the Totems and what they mean when the time is right."
"Why all this elaborate set up? Why not simply bring the boy in for training? Asked Madame Web.
With a wave of her hand the Ancient One sent a copy of her vision of Peter's future without them into their minds.
They were each in awe of the young man. What he survived and what he was willing to give up for the greater good. It could be said no man would ever sacrifice as much as him simply because it was the right thing to do.
"Because of what you have seen. The Boy erased himself from existence he was a living ghost in the world. No Friends No Family, no reason to go on, no hope from anywhere yet he chose to continue to bring hope to those that had none. To be a Hero in every sense of the word. By doing this way we can give this boy a life and a family. He deserves that and so much more."
"Master there is more to this plan then just that isn't there?" asked Druid.
The Ancient One smiled.
"Yes Anthony. By opening the boy to the Mystical side of the world he will embrace the Other from the beginning becoming the most Power Version of himself. He will interact with the Web of Life on an unconscious level allowing him to survive the Decimation we all saw in the future."
"And in the future with him there. He and Matt will be able to save Elektra from herself won't they?" Stick asked.
"Yes Stick even when she becomes the Black Sky Matt and Peter will bring her home and make her Whole again."
Stick felt like he had been hit. For Elektra to fall to the hand and comeback not as the Black Sky but as Elektra because of this kid and Matt it hit harder then he would've believed.
"They will take down the Hand?" he asked.
"Yes they will take down the hand finger by finger." The Ancient One told him.
Stick gave a rough smile. "I'm In."
"As am I." Answered Madame Web.
Ezekiel took a breath. "Let's do it."
"I will follow your lead, Master." Druid told her with a smile.
"Good my friends now let us begin. By going this Other way, we will do something for this world beyond what we know."
..
Peter Parker was overwhelmed with happiness. He remembered the day his Aunt May and Uncle Ben asked him to come to the living room and they were beaming. It seems that Peter's teachers had put Peter up for a Grant for him to Attend Midtown High School. It was the best STEM High School in NY. Peter now had a full scholarship for all 4 years but a Science Summer Program as well as a trip to the Science Expo he wanted to before School Starts.
Peter was also happy because he had become friendly with Doctor Anthony Druid who moved in across the hall. And Doctor Druid had helped Peter by letting Peter borrow any book he wanted from his rather extensive library. Peter's knowledge had been growing by leaps and bounds it had been the best Summer of his life so far. He had even learned some things that very few people knew. Doctor Druid had explained to Peter that he moved to that Apartment to help him focus as he was writing a book about the history of what people believed to be magic or the Mystic Arts as it was known in some places of the world. He had explained to Peter that the Mystic side of life was a Science all its own that had its own rules and laws just like science had. Peter felt like Harry Potter was learning about the secrets of this hidden world. And it had helped him more than he could've believed. While he was at the Science program at Webcorp, He saw how plants had grown better with a runestone in the soil because the energy the rune collected was bleeding into the soil making the plants grow better. Science and Magic together at the most basic level. He had proof. Verified proof that Magic was real and that it could be measured with science. This one little experiment was proof that Peter could see and believe that there was much more to the world than he thought.
Peter had proof that the Mystic was real. He had thought science was the truth about everything that if he understood the way the world, he could understand everything. But then he discovered the Mystic side of life, and it was mystery wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma to quote a movie he had watched not too long ago.
It was something he didn't share with Ned, his best friend not yet anyway he needed to understand it more.
Ben and May were thrilled with Peter. His summer program and the Doctor who moved in across the hall to write a book were godsends they had focused Peter in way they had never seen before. Peter was always smart, but this summer had proved to them that he was a genius beyond what they had known.
The friends he had made in his program, the way Peter seemed to have discovered a new way of looking at life as if his world view had shifted and was letting him look at the world with new eyes was incredible to watch. This summer had turned their shy little nephew into a bright young man that was ready to see the world and all that it had to offer and was open to all the new experiences to be found there.
"Peter." May called her nephew.
Peter looked up from his book with a smile.
"Yes, Aunt May?"
"Wrap it up kiddo we leave for the Science Expo in 20 minutes when Ben gets home." She smiled as she watched Peter's eyes brighten and the smile grew across his face.
Today was going to be a good day she thought.
..
May was worried about Peter. So worried in fact she had gone next door to Doctor Druid and asked him to look at Peter. She was grateful that he had agreed without question.
After a few minutes with Peter and checking his vitals and asking a few questions he asked May to look at something.
May was shocked when the Doctor pointed out a Bite mark on Peter's hand.
Snapping a picture of the bite with his phone. He went back to his apartment to check something and was back in a minute with a book.
"May I think young Peter he is suffering from a mild allergic reaction to a Spider-bite."
May gasped.
"It's nothing to worry about Peter is breathing fine. He is just running a bit of a fever. I'm going to give him some Benadryl. I recommend letting him sleep it off. If he is still sick tomorrow, we can take him to the hospital but right now it's not something to worry about." He explained.
May and Ben were so thankful for what he was doing.
Ben stuck his hand out.
"Anthony, I can't thank you enough for this." Ben told him.
"It's my pleasure Ben Peter's been a great help to me. By answering his questions and talking to him I've been able to explain my theories and examples better in my book. So, I'm glad to do this don't worry to much he is a good strong kid he will bounce back from this in no time." He explained as he shook Ben's hand.
..
Back in his own apartment Dr. Druid knelt and focused his magic and telepathically communicated to Madame Web.
"Cassandra it's your game now." He thought to her.
..
Peter turned as he looked around where was a circle of light surrounded by darkness. He had no idea how he got here. The last he remembered he was at the Science Expo when he felt pain, then he felt sick. May and Ben helped him to the car to take him home and he thought he had fallen asleep.
But that didn't explain where he was now.
"Welcome Peter."
Peter spun around and behind him was himself.
"WHAT THE FUCK?" cried out the shocked young man.
The Other Peter smiled.
"Yeah, that phrase tends to get said a lot in moments like this."
"What's going on?" Peter asked himself as odd as it was for himself to be another person.
The Other Peter's smile took on a bit of sadness.
"It's time for you to join us, Peter." He spoke.
"Us?" Peter asked.
Suddenly the darkness around the circle lifted and there were thousands of other Peters all different yet all clearly Peter Parker.
"You are a Chosen One Peter. You are the Totem of the Spider."
Something clicked for Peter it was something he had read about in Dr. Druid's books.
"A Totem?" the words barely a whisper from his mouth.
"Yes Peter when that Spider bit you it marked you as a Totem. It doesn't matter if it was that Spider or another Peter, this was always going to happen. You see Peter have a destiny. It was always going to be to help people one way or another, but the Web of Life has chosen you to be one of its Champions. In Every Universe in the Multiverse there is a Spider-Totem chosen, often it is you that is picked in those worlds. Welcome to the Brotherhood Peter."
"So, what now?" Peter asked.
"When you wake up you will notice a change in yourself as your powers come in. It's a process it's not going to be a quick thing. Your body will be adapting to the changes, you will feel different in some ways as your change, don't be scared Peter, its what's supposed to happen. You don't have to fight it Peter, it will be scary at times as you will be able to sense things and do things you never imagined possible. "
Peter stepped back in shock.
"You aren't going to become something like the Hulk a Man-Spider Peter." The Other Peter said with a comforting smile.
"You will be both a Man and a Spider. Together just as much human as you were this morning, but you will be more just as much of a Spider Metaphysically speaking it isn't a One or the Other proposition. You don't have to be afraid of what it is happening Peter."
Peter looked around at the other Peters that surrounded him; on all of them he could see looks of understanding of pride in him and he could feel the unity of brotherhood that the other Peter spoke of.
"Where do I start?" Peter asked.
"Wake up."
..
Peter's eyes flew open, and he was awake in an instant.
He got out of bed and his eyes glued to the mirror on the back of his door, He had abs now. The dream had not lied, he was changing.
He decided he had to talk to Dr. Druid. Throwing a shirt, Peter opened his door and walked out into the apartment.
Ben was at the kitchen table reading a paper drinking his coffee.
"Hey buddy how are you feeling?" Ben asked as he saw Peter.
"Kinda wiped but better then yesterday." Peter admitted.
"That's to be expected when you feel up to it go next door and say thank you to Dr. Druid, he was nice enough to give you a once over when we got back to calm May down. He say you had a reaction to a spider-bite, that's what made you sick."
"Of Course, Uncle Ben." Peter smiled as he grabbed a bottle of milk from the fridge.
..
It had taken an hour of considerable mothering from May to show that he was fine, and he was just going to thank Dr. Druid for looking after him and helping them out and he would be back in a little while after he had talked to the Doctor.
Knocking on the door, Peter smiled in relief when Dr. Druid answered the door.
"Peter come in I'm glad you are feeling better." Smiled the Mystic Doctor.
Once he entered the Doctor's office Peter dropped on the couch.
"Dr. Druid what do you know about the Spider-Totem?" Peter asked.
Anthony Druid looked at Peter unsure of what he was dealing with.
"What are you do mean Peter?"
Peter looked at Druid.
"Last night I dreamed I met myself he told me that I had been chosen as a Spider-Totem that I would start changing. That I would become just as much a Spider as a man." Peter admitted."
Dr. Druid took a breath.
"Peter, I know a little about Totems. I've studied the mystic arts somewhat myself. I think I better get in touch with a friend of my mentor's he is a special case, and he will be able to help you with what's coming."
"What's coming?" Peter asked as a block of ice filled his guts.
"Your senses are going to get much better as will your strength and other qualities a Totem uses the gifts of the Animal to enhance its Chosen. You are going to need to deal with that if you want to live your life normally."
Making a gesture with his hand Dr. Druid conjured an image of the Spider as drawn by the Nazca Lines.
"Peter the Spider-Totem always picks people when they are young so they can grow into their role. I suspect you will do great things Peter. The Totem choosing you just means you will be doing for the good of everyone as apposed to just those in your immediate circle." He told the young man with a smile.
"Friend or not Doc if you do the Harry Potter Terrible but Great thing here, I will clock you." Peter told him as Dr. Druid chuckled.
"Nothing so melodramatic Peter.".
"But I think we better come up with something to tell May and Ben about you, so they don't freak out when you start seeing or hearing something too far away for them to detect."
"Oh Joy." Grumbled Peter as he imagined their reactions.
..
Two days later Dr. Druid walked into Parker's apartment with Peter.
"Ben May something has happened with Peter and before you freak out everything is ok. He is not hurt he is fine, and he is right here." Dr. Druid spoke as he pointed Peter next to them who just gave a little wave.
"Anthony what is going on with Peter?" asked May with a degree of fear in her voice.
May insisted on Peter having a full Check-Up at the Doctor's office after his episode and Dr. Druid was happy to do it for their peace of mind.
Druid handed over a copy of the lab results to May.
"It seems the spider-bite had the effect of kicking Peter's immune system into complete overdrive. His body is literally healing everything in his body, his eyesight has strengthened his lungs are clear from the asthma. It's something very rare but it's not unheard of. But it's gone beyond just healing him. Peter's senses are becoming dare I say enhanced by his body going into overdrive."
"Is this going to affect his heath long term I mean his immune system isn't going to burn out because of this will it?" Ben asked, worried about the implications of what he was being told.
"No Ben his Blood tests show it's already slowing down to a more normal rate, but he may still heal faster than before. But there is a bit of a concern that his senses may overload him with stimuli, so I put a call into a friend he works with kids. He helps them learn to deal with enhanced senses. He normally works with kids that lose one sense and the others go into overdrive because of this. But he is willing to do me the favor and work with Peter."
"Anthony, we can't ask you to do that." May started.
Dr. Druid just waved her off.
"May Peter has been a good friend and some help to me with my book. I'm more than happy to call in a favor on his behalf. Though I may have to apologize when it's done as Stick is a crotchety old bastard."
Ben snorted and May slapped him across his chest.
"I'm sure any friend of yours will be fine." Smiled May.
…
Peter sweated like he had never sweated before. Stick's training was brutal, but Peter understood everything he did and the reason behind it. Aunt May hadn't been Happy when she found out that Stick was using Martial Arts techniques to train Peter but after demonstrating how each piece of the training worked together in concert to strengthen Peter's physical control over his body and his senses, she allowed it. Ben on the other hand was thrilled that Peter was taking an interest in something physical.
Then it happened the night before Peter had a nightmare about Ben being killed in a robbery gone wrong. Peter and Ben had run to the local market to get some stuff for Dinner Ben had sent him to get in line when it happened. A man entered the store with a gun drawn. To Peter it seemed as if the world slowed down, he sensed the danger before he noticed anything. Then the smell of gun oil hit his nose as the sound of a hammer being pulled back on a revolver and the cylinder rotating hit his ears. As the words "Nobody move this is a stick up" left the man's mouth Peter was already in motion. As Ben yelled Peter's name from down an aisle Peter jumped and kicked out sending a jar of pickles of the shelf behind him into the side of the head of the robber as he turned the gun to Ben.
Time sped up to normal as Peter landed and the Robbery took a glass jar loaded with pickles to the side of his head sending him tumbling to the ground unconscious as the gun slipped from his boneless hands.
"Holy Shit." Cried the Cashier as she looked over the counter at the downed robber as she grabbed a phone and called 911.
Ben rushed up to Peter. "Peter are you ok?"
"I'm fine Uncle Ben I just reacted." Peter said as he looked at what he had done.
Ben just laughed as he gathered Peter into a hug.
…
From the Mirror Dimension the Ancient One smiled alongside Stick, Dr, Druid and Ezekiel.
…
Matt Murdock walked into the Police Station. He was there to meet his Neighbor to file a restraining order against her Ex-Girlfriend when he heard something he never would've believed.
"I'm telling you Uncle Ben I just decided to act. When I sensed the danger?" Peter explained.
"Why is that Peter?" Ben asked.
"Because as Sensi Stick told me smart doesn't come out of books, it comes from making the right decision at the right time. I decided that protecting us from that man was more important in that moment then being safe."
Matt froze the young man sitting there was a student of Stick's.
Walking over Matt had to know for sure.
"Excuse me I couldn't help overhear. Did you say your Sensi's name was Stick?" Matt asked the Young Man.
"Yes I am Stick has been teaching me for a while now." Peter answered.
"Well as a former student of Stick it's a pleasure to meet you I'm Matt Murdock." He said as he offered his hand.
Peter smiled as he shook his hand. "Peter Parker and I'm guessing you would be Matty the best student he ever had the one he won't shut up about when he is trying to motivate me." Peter smiled.
"Really I never would've guessed he held me is such high regard." Matt smiled back.
"Well Stick is a grumpy old bastard who's life's mission is to take no shit and answer no questions but still somehow teach you everything you know to live with the gifts life gave you." Peter grumbled.
That actually drew a guff of a laugh out of Matt.
"Peter you may have just described Stick perfectly."
"Can I ask you if you don't mind Peter how did you become his student?" Matt asked.
Peter shrugged. "My Doctor brought me too him after something caused my immune system to go into overdrive and it bumped my senses into overdrive as well. And they told me Stick was going to help me get a handle on my senses so I wasn't in constant state of overload." Peter explained.
Matt nodded his head. "When I lost my sight my remaining senses did the same thing took me a little while to adjust as well."
"It's been a pleasure to meet you Mr. Murdock but our ride it here." Ben injected as he saw May waving from the door.
"Likewise Sir. Peter please give Stick my best when you see him next." Matt said with a smile.
As Peter and Ben left the station Matt couldn't help but worry for Peter and wondered what kind of training Stick was putting him through. Perhaps it was time to look up his old teacher and make sure that he wasn't turning that young man into some kind of soldier in his war. Peter seemed like a nice kid and if he could prevent him from losing his innocence the way had then he would.
