Chapter 2: Falling From The Grace Of Fulfilment
Three weeks without knowing what's happened to their friend finally led to this moment.
Ned and Michelle agreed their first day back at Midtown felt like a surreal blur, their lack of sleep through the weeks taking hold once they'd entered Happy's Car. The bodyguard wasn't used to teenagers being so- quiet, looking at the rear-view mirror to find Peter's friends asleep the moment they were out of New York. Happy's eyes softened at the sight, suppressing the urge to sob, knowing what was going to be said once the teenagers walked into that meeting.
Instead, he forced himself to focus on driving, making it to the Avengers Tower forty minutes after leaving the city.
The teens were still feeling groggy as he parked his car and led them to the private elevator.
"Fri, gym, please."
"Certainly, Mr Hogan. Hello Mr Leeds, hello Miss Jones."
Friday's voice emitting through the elevator's speakers causes the teens to jump a little, snapping them out of their sleepy states. Happy stifles a chuckle.
"Wow, you can recognise us?" Ned questions, a shocked expression on his face while Michelle remains perfectly deadpanned, a sick feeling swelling in her stomach.
"Of course, Mr Leeds, that is one of my capabilities, that particular one is for security purposes," Friday clarifies. "Sir and the Family have been informed of your arrival, the meeting will take the moment you and Miss Jones are ready. Dr Banner and Rocket will be present in the room while the others inform you, but must focus on the TemPad while Mr Wilson returns the Infinity Stones to their original places."
"Rocket? As in the Guardian of the Galaxy, Rocket?!" Ned lets out an audible breath, he's not sure how much crazier his day could get.
"Correct. Rocket, Groot and Nebula are the only Guardians present on the planet as of now, deemed today's meeting a priority. The others will be returning in a week to collect them after dealing with a threat on a distant planet. Unfortunately, not every Avenger was able to make it today. Mr Lang and Miss Van Dyne have gone away for a vacation with Mr Lang's daughter. King T'Challa and Princess Shuri are in Wakanda preparing for negotiations with King Namor and the Talokanil, sending their regards and regrets. Valkyrie is ruling over New Asgard in Loki's stead while he remains in the Tower with Thor. Doctor Strange-"
"No need to bring him into this, Fri," Happy chimes in with a growl, catching the teens by surprise, and causing the elevator to fall noiseless.
In order to break the awkward silence, Ned lets his intrusive thoughts win and continues to feed into his curiosity. For better or worse.
"Who exactly is waiting for us, Friday?" Ned asks.
"As mentioned previously, Dr Banner, Rocket, Nebula and Groot are present in the Tower alongside the Odinson brothers. Mr Stark and his family, Mr Barton and his family, Miss Romanoff and her sister Miss Belova; Miss Bishop and the Maximoff twins are also present. Captain Rogers, Mr Wilson, Sergeant Barnes, Colonel Rhodes and Miss Danvers as well. Mr Barton's children are looking after Morgan with Mr Keener."
"Damn."
"Wait, let's take a step back," Michelle speaks out. "We're going to see a time machine?"
"Indeed. The TemPad is the very device used by the Avengers left behind following the Snap to retrieve Infinity Stones from different points in time. Mr Lang called the plan a Time Heist, which thankfully succeeded due to the use of the Pym particles that power the Ant-Man's suit."
Happy wants so badly to intervene to stop them from getting answers. Not because they don't deserve them, far from that, it's because he's concerned about how they'll react to what they hear. He understands their confusion and their worry for their friend. It was difficult enough for him, Tony and Rhodey to find out Pepper had given birth to a daughter in their absence, if not for the fact she's nearly the spitting image of Tony.
A beautiful young girl, so full of life and character, sassy and sarcastic like her father, even at her age. It's been hard to shake out of his head, seeing the unbreakable Tony Stark shedding tears when Pepper introduced him to his daughter, who hugged Tony so tight they thought her arms would break off. Seeing the great Ironman being so unsure of himself was undoubtedly a sight to behold, but he's already begun shyly acting like such a dad.
When little Morgan thanked her father for leaving her brother to look after her and her mommy, Tony finally broke. At the very least, it was relieving to know Peter never lost contact with Pepper, in fact, he stuck around New York for the first seven months of Morgan's life before disappearing with only a letter in his room.
God, Happy wishes he could tell Michelle and Ned that, in the end, the Starks and Nebula were the only people who ever knew where Peter was.
Unless, of course, Peter purposely made his presence known. In that case, he was a tough person to miss.
Yet, that wasn't his information tell, he was gone just like them, vanishing like he never existed. He just wishes he was capable of easing the damage the knowledge is going to cause.
"What sort've mad scientist was smart enough to solve time travel, and then invent it?" Ned questions, catching a look from Michelle, staring at the eyes she's trying to hide behind her hair. Like she's avoiding eye contact.
Like he already knows the answer.
Doesn't help Friday takes a chilling pause before responding.
"Two months ago, Mr Wilson and Sergeant Barnes travelled to Japan to convince Dr Parker-"
"DR?!" Michelle and Ned scream in Unison.
"Absolutely. Dr Parker is the first man in history to receive ten PhDs in such a time frame."
"Ten?!" Michelle huffs, crossing her arms over her chest. "Go on then, tell which ones."
"Dr Parker's Doctoral Degrees include engineering science, modern language, applied science, environmental science, computer science, criminology, geological science, medical science, chemistry and science in veterinary medicine."
"Huh," Michelle snorts. "That's a lot of science, what a little fucking nerd."
"I'm not surprised he went far, but- wow," Ned exclaims. "Ten PhDs in five years-"
"It's more than okay to be shocked, God knows I was when I found how busy the kid's found himself," Happy encourages the pair, watching as they fall silent. "Friday will talk more about it because it's- ugh, look-"
This is why he chooses to be quiet. He has no idea how to talk to a couple of teenagers. Getting used to the Spider-kid was challenging enough, and all teens are different, these two are polar opposites.
How's he supposed to talk to them?
"-I want you two to know that, despite not knowing you two on a personal level, everybody in that room will be there for you guys. Whatever you need, just say the word, I doubt Pepper will let you guys say no to anything Tony or the team offer you. Especially if she puts Morgan up to the task, good luck with that one."
"If I may continue?" Friday politely requests.
"Go ahead, Fri."
"Mr Wilson and Sergeant Barnes asked Dr Parker to return to the Avengers Compound and make use of Mr Lang's concepts. At first, he refused them, but a few days later, Dr Parker arrived at the Compound on his terms. It took four days, and he didn't sleep once, but he designed a device that resulted in a 99.98% success rate. Two and a half weeks later, the TemPad was born and the Time Heist commenced."
"You're telling us that dorky ass Star Wars fanatic, Peter Parker, was responsible for inventing time travelling and essentially saving the world?" Ned presses further, rubbing his eyes and pinching his arm to make sure this isn't a dream.
"Yes. If not for Mr Parker, much more time could've passed before the Snap was reversed."
"If Peter wasn't at the Avengers Compound for the last five years, then where was he, Friday?" Michelle questions, her bones stiff, her stomach knotting and twisting further.
"That will be addressed further in the meeting as I'm forbidden from speaking further. On a lighter note, Miss Parker made me note that you both better be ready for a hug."
For the first time in weeks, Michelle lets herself display the shadow of a smile, disappearing as quickly as it appeared once the elevator stops. When the door opens, Ned and Michelle are immediately welcomed by May, holding each of the teens in a tight embrace and kissing the top of their heads. She whispers apologies to the two, telling them there were reasons for her not calling sooner. The warm feeling that radiated off of May couldn't help but tug the smile back onto her face, at least for the moment. Releasing the embrace, Michelle and Ned are awed to see the extent of the Tower's gymnasium, let alone the number of Avengers in the room.
As Friday mentioned, Bruce, Groot and Rocket stand in the middle of the room, monitoring the TemPad; with the former still trying to apprehend talking about engineering with a rodent. Ned catches Groot laying up and playing what looks like something Nintendo made, he feels like he's going to pass out.
Clint and Laura are sitting on the gym's ridiculously comfortable-looking bleachers, speaking to Natasha, Yelena and Kate; the Widow sisters immediately notice the arrival of the teens, observing them intently. Michelle, always an observer herself, notices the blonde Widow, in particular, offers her a warm smile, despite the sadness in her eyes. Michelle decides to smile back before looking away to continue her sweep of the room.
Sam, Bucky, Steve and Pietro bicker amongst themselves near a bunch of monitors. Loki and Thor are sparring, testing Thor's cybernetic hand in combat while Wanda sits cross-legged with Carol, meditating alongside the Kree hybrid as flickers of her chaos magic levitate around her. Michelle can't help but feel fascinated by the sights she's witnessing.
Nebula, on the other hand, stands alone at a nearby table, eating an apple and regarding the pair intensely. Ned wasn't sure if he'd be able to get that Guardian to speak. Not that he'd understand what Groot is saying to him.
That leaves Tony and Pepper; the next to notice Ned and Michelle's arrival, timidly walking towards them. Michelle can't help but notice Tony appears reluctant to speak, perhaps unsure of where to start, so Pepper's the first to speak.
"First and foremost, it's great to finally meet you two," Pepper greets, offering a hug to each of them, as if they were going to say no. "Peter he- spoke so much about the two of you, he wouldn't mind me saying this but- he ached from so much loss when he found out his best friends were gone too."
Despite the anger they feel towards being left in the dark for so long, Michelle and Ned forgot to think about how Peter must've felt. Coming close to death on a distant planet, watching his mentor, his idol and father figure perish right before his eyes. Suffering for weeks, starving and slowly running out of oxygen, only to come home and learn the three people he loved the most in this world passed away all the same.
Suddenly, their at a loss for words, neither of them replying to Pepper's statement.
To say the two are overwhelmed by the revelation is an understatement, and they've never felt both ready and unprepared for anything in their lives.
"Please, we just wanna know where he is," Michelle begs, standing stiff, her shoulders sagged, rising ever so slightly when May places a hand on her left side.
"And you will, it's just- I'm afraid there's a lot of information that you deserve to know before we get to that. Is that okay?" Pepper softly asks the two, finding hesitant nods in return.
"Yes, I- believe it's time we talk," Tony nods slowly, turning to face the others. "Come on, you guys, it's time for the meeting."
The sudden silence in the room is deafening.
Bruce, Rocket and Groot watch as everybody stops what they're doing and walks to the large holo-table twenty feet away from the TemPad; most of them are able to stand in front of it. Somehow, Nebula managed to be the first to the table, standing at the front of the table beside the Starks, who stands beside the teens, May and Happy hovering above them protectively.
"Okay, before we begin," Tony turns to face Michelle and Ned. "Feel free to stop at any time to ask further questions. Friday and the Avengers present after that purple asshole won will do most of the talking. We're here for you, now and always, and-" Tony can't help but look away. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop him the first time."
"Tony-" Pepper warns.
"No, I- I can at least explain where it began," Tony urges, Pepper and May's nods of approval causing Stark's shoulders to slack in visible relief. "Peter was with me on Titan, after Thanos knocked the Guardians out of the fight, Parker made sure they were secure. I fought one on one with him but he was toying with me the entire time, not taking me seriously until the kid rejoined the fight. We- almost killed him. Peter and I."
Michelle and Ned didn't understand what they were hearing. Their sweet, innocent Peter Parker- trying to kill someone?
"I've never seen him so- angry, so far from himself, lost trying to fight for his home. Thanos materialised a sword using the Reality Stone, and that's when we began to lose, the Mad Titan knew it too, which made me desperate enough to throw everything my suit had at him. I wasn't thinking, and I watched my weaponry distract Peter long enough to get struck by the Power Stone, damaging his mask and suit. Thanos grabbed the kid's arm, and I could do nothing as that motherfucker took it clean off with his sword, and then stabbed Pete through the gut. He knew he'd won. After that, he had full control of the situation, threatening to use the blade snatched from my gauntlet to slice Peter's throat."
"Tony, maybe this is too much for-"
"No." Michelle hisses, shaking his head at Steve, not giving a single fuck that he's Captain America. "This is what we're here for. We need to hear it. We stop talking when there are questions or explanations, that's the rule, no?"
The entire group stays hushed and Steve suddenly has nothing to say anymore.
"Keep going, Mr Stark," Ned encourages, despite his hands already shaking under the table. MJ is right, they have to hear everything.
Why else be here, otherwise?
"Uh, okay," Tony sighs, rubbing his eyes. "Doctor Strange gave up the Time Stone in exchange for sparring Peter's life, which the Mad Titan thought was foolish, believing Spider-Man was going to die anyway. Once he had what he wanted he disappeared, and we knew there may not be much time left. We all did what we could for the kid in the time we had, managing to seal the hole in his stomach before the Snap happened. I had to fade away unsure that Pete would make it, only to learn that he did and-"
"Stark," Nebula's deep, gruelling voice snaps Tony out of his train of thought, shaking her head at the Avenger.
"Sir," Friday gently speaks up. "I believe it's an appropriate time for me to take over and explain."
"I- believe you're right. Go ahead."
To say Tony was nervous is understating. If three weeks hasn't been enough time for him to process all of this- he can't imagine how long it'll take his underoos' best friends. Admittedly, he ordered Friday to withhold the message Peter sent from the Guardians' ship, not wanting them to see someone they love so thin and heartsick.
The way Pete's broken, bloodshot eyes stared off into deep space after dispatching his final message, accepting he was going to die.
The way his kid didn't turn off the helmet, requesting some company while he fell asleep for the last time.
As if they'll ever forget that.
How could he?
Tony's thoughts are shoved away when Friday begins speaking, taking another sip of his coffee to focus on the meeting.
"After Miss Danvers found and returned Dr Parker and Nebula to the Compound, the former was treated for his condition, and within a fortnight he insisted he was fit for active duty. Dr Parker became partly responsible for relocating those left behind to the many safe zones positioned across the globe. Dr Parker was rather active at the Compound for fifteen months, living there for three months until he finished building Mrs Stark's cabin. That's where he took residence until building a neighbouring cabin."
That particular fact prompts whispers among the group, making it known that not everybody knew about that one.
"He- never brought that up?" Kate states, almost in a whisper, looking at Yelena and receiving a head shake in response.
"It's true. Pete was never one to brag about his accomplishments," Pepper asserts, not hiding the pride in her voice. "When I first showed interest in finding private land outside of the city, Peter insisted he'd be capable of building a home for us, but he wanted it to be a surprise. It was of the few moments I saw his bright smile after the war, beaming with excitement. I couldn't say no, and as Friday said, only took him three months to build the most luxurious cabin I've ever seen. Only took him two to build his own."
"You should tell them what you told me, Pep," Tony pipes up, placing a hand on her shoulder, gently rubbing it encouragingly.
Pepper chuckles softly, appearing as if she's fighting the urge to smile, failing before she speaks. "I learnt how sensitive that boy's senses were the day he revealed the cabin, making sure he showed me a specific room last. Just when I thought the rest of the place was beautiful, that boy with his heart of gold opened the door to show me the sweetest nursery I'd ever laid my eyes on. The thing is-"
"Pep here didn't know she was pregnant with little miss yet," Tony butts in, leaning in front of Pepper, who punches him lightly in the shoulder.
Finally, soft smiles and chuckles were present throughout the meeting, even if it was for a moment. Even Ned and Michelle manage to let themselves grin at the story. They knew Peter was a total fan-boy for Tony, but he often spoke of Pepper in the same manner he would May, shutting down that one time he forgot her birthday. It was clear he had a major soft spot for Mrs Stark, and with some patience, they hope to learn if he adored her daughter the same way.
"It's true, but you should've seen his face when I asked him why he made the nursery. Threw his head through a loop," Pepper giggles contently as she relives the moment through memory. "Pete thought I knew but didn't tell him, so the nursery was his way of letting me know he knew. Finding out he was the only one who knew almost made him faint. Peter promised me he'd always be there to protect me and the baby, no matter where he may be. I didn't know what that meant at the time, so distracted by the way he spoke with such conviction. Like there was nothing in the world that would stop him from fulfilling that promise. That was the day I realised he wasn't a kid anymore, no matter how shy he stayed as I watched him grow up."
May lets out a soft snort. "Shy, alright! I remember Pete hiding his report card from Ben and me. We thought he was hiding evidence of truanting or bad behaviour, but it was because he didn't want us to see his perfect grades. Petey was always shy to praise and recognition, why I find it so shocking he's sanctioned for so much research."
"He had five PhDs before I found out he got the first one. Despite calling him Mr Parker for months at Stark Industries, he never corrected me once," that's when Pepper's smile slowly turns into a slight frown. "Then again, after Titan, Pete rarely spoke unless he was being polite or direct, far from the babbling he used to do."
"Sometimes I couldn't help but feel like Bugboy hid how smart he was just to see the look on my face when he showed me up!" Rocket calls out from his position.
"And he was good with her?" Michelle speaking so softly catches the team by surprise, so many eyes on her makes the teen want to hide behind her hair again. "Morgan, I mean."
Without needing the order, Friday displays a series of photos of Peter and Morgan, many of them including Pepper too.
The number of them overwhelms Michelle, and not wanting to take too much time from the-
"You let me know when you're done, kiddos," Tony says, causing the two to look at him, and with an encouraging smile, their eyes move back to pictures, taking their time examining how Peter's appearance drastically changed over the years.
One photo is of Peter holding Morgan for the first time, and he doesn't look much different than they remember. His hair is longer, his figure filling out his clothes a little more, something Michelle isn't the only one to notice. The most noticeable of Peter's new features is the thick scar that begins above his eyebrow, lining its way past his eye, down his cheek, chin and neck before disappearing beneath his clothes.
In a close second is the black metal forearm on full display in many of the photos, vibranium no doubt, somehow suiting Peter in a strange way. Michelle looks back at the first picture, noticing him wearing a mitten to avoid shocking the infant Stark as he holds her so delicately like she's going to shatter in his hands.
Though, there's no sign of fear on his face.
The glint in his eyes and the smile are enough to show the comfort he feels holding his baby sister.
"From the moment Peter met our Morgan, he was infatuated with her, she had him at her fingertips. In fact, even before she was born, Pete sat close to me so often, I thought he was afraid to let me out of his sight," Pepper shakes her head. "That wasn't the case at all, he admitted honing his senses onto Morgan relaxed him, listening to her heartbeat, as well as my own was one of the few things that got that boy to sleep. Once little Miss was around, you'd all be surprised just how casually Pete stepped into the room in the middle of the night to help get her to sleep. Or how frequently I'd wake up and he'd already have Morgan so I could sleep in."
Another photo is of Peter asleep on the couch with Morgan, who must be at least three at the time, the former's arm held to protect the latter from falling off of it. On the floor is a queen-sized mattress with three other children, all sound asleep with smiling faces. In the next photo she sees, however, Peter looks completely different; long hair getting braided by an amused Loki, his face beginning to fill out with hair and Morgan playing with said hair as she sits peacefully in his lap.
He looks so much older than in previous pictures, his eyes weary despite the content smile on his face.
"If I may," Laura joins the topic. "Peter was not only great with Morgan but often went out of his way for my and Clint's children as well. He became a brother figure to Cooper and Lila, and much more like an Uncle to Nathaniel. Always gentle and kind, yet reprimanding when required. No matter how gruff he ended up becoming, he was always delicate and temperate when it came to spending time with the kids. That photo was during a sleepover at the cabin, Pep and I wanted the kids to just forget about the Snap for a night, and Pete always seemed to know how to do exactly that."
May was trying to hide the tears that slid down her cheeks, many of them were, wiping them quickly, but Michelle noticed, and she wasn't the only one.
It felt like every little moment of silence threatened to consume the room, but the build-up to finding out where his best friend is was too much for Ned as it is. He just had to speak up.
"What else has Peter done during the five years?" Ned inquiries, perhaps too quickly in an attempt to prevent the meeting from falling to stillness. "For as long as I've known him, he's always kept busy, never able to sit still."
"Dr Parker accomplished many feats in such a short time in use of his double life. He used his influence within Stark Industries to help bring stability to those left behind and engineer cybernetics for those injured in the chaos when everybody began disappearing. Yet, what Dr Parker considers his greatest accomplishment, outside of the use of his doctorate degrees, began when King T'Challa fell deathly ill due to the extinction of the heart-shaped herb. Princess Shuri and Dr Parker worked tooth and nail to create a synthetic one, but time was running out, and they were getting desperate, leading the latter to use S.H.I.E.L.D. reports to locate Talokan. Talokan for the uninitiated is an underwater kingdom under the rule of Namor, a powerful mutant who S.H.I.E.L.D. determined was a potential threat of global invasion. Negotiations were made, and Dr Parker shut down a S.W.O.R.D. ocean outpost in exchange for a vibranium-infused plant; the final piece of the puzzle. The two were able to formulate and synthesise the heart-shaped herb, curing the King of Wakanda and turning the Princess into the second Black Panther to reinforce Wakanda's defences within a new tradition. That day, Dr Parker became the bargaining representative between Wakandan royalty and the Talokanil, swearing an oath of honour and blood to both sides."
"What does that mean?" Ned presses further.
"It means if T'Challa or Namor goes to war, Peter must follow them," Carol answers, looking at two teenagers while she speaks. "And there wasn't a single oath or promise that kid didn't take seriously, nor is that a decision you make lightly. For two Kings to want you to represent them in negotiations and terms, as well as desire you within their ranks as a warrior and confidant, speaks volumes of Parker's character. That information must not leave this room, in the confidence of King T'Challa and King Namor, because if S.W.O.R.D. ever discovers the destruction of their outpost was the exchange for T'Challa's life-"
"Could turn the entire world on Wakanda," Bucky finishes speaking for Carol, taking a deep breath before continuing. "It was a tremendous risk for the greater good, an action Parker didn't think twice about. Please, ensure that information remains confidential."
"We will," Michelle nods. "Friday, I've been wondering."
"Yes, Miss Jones?"
"You said Peter was around the Compound for fifteen months, why are there no reports or sightings of Spider-Man during that time?"
"That is because Dr Parker had no intention of becoming a vigilante again. Rest assured, four other Spider vigilantes have respectfully succeeded Spider-Man, taking on the responsibilities and symbol he stood for. Three of which in this very city, the other within S.H.I.E.L.D.'s ranks."
"My second question," Michelle can't help but feel intrusive, but then again, Mr Stark said if she said any questions, not to be afraid to ask. She'd ask about the other Spider heroes if she wasn't so desperate for her answers. "Are you implying he disappeared?"
"I'm afraid to inform you, he did exactly that," Friday confirms. Ned and Michelle notice Pepper tense at the mention of it, yet, she doesn't hesitate.
"Play the footage, Friday."
The holo-table instantly switches to ring cam footage, showing the front door of what Ned and Michelle assume is the Stark's cabin. The time is four-twenty-four in the morning and it'd be pitch black if not for the camera's night vision. Everybody's eyes are glued to the footage, watching silently as glowing eyes appear from one of the trees from the distant darkness; fading as hastily as they emerged. A hooded figure suddenly lands thirty feet from the cabin, hands planted to the ground and crouched on all fours-
-like a predator.
The figure slowly rises to its feet, staring at the front door for a long moment before approaching. Their body is stiff, quavering in their steps, indicating their absent-mindedness. As the figure comes closer and closer to the front step, the blood-drenched clothes become clearer, and the face behind the hood can no longer hide.
Ned and Michelle feel like they're going to barf right then and there, seeing the deathly look in their best friend's eyes. The way his chest heaves up and down is something they'd seen plenty of times; a consistent symptom Peter displayed when on the verge of an anxiety attack.
He looks so exhausted, so shattered and painstakingly contemplative. Most shocking of all for the pair, he looks so much older, perhaps it's the trauma of whatever happened that night, or the pain of everything crashing down on him. They, unfortunately, could only imagine.
They silently agreed they'd ask about his eyes the moment their shock wears off.
If it's going to.
Peter slips the hood off, revealing that his hair is soaked in blood, clumped and stuck together. His hands, one flesh and the other a dark black metal, Michelle guesses to be vibranium, slowly drip onto the wood of the cabin's porch, staining his own creation. He seems so disorientated, perhaps dissociated as he stares through the floorboards, inattentively reaching into his pocket and retrieving a letter. Hesitant to move, everybody watches as Peter forces himself to stumble forward to place the letter at the front door.
However, he stops, his eyes widening at the red stain seeping into the envelope, like he'd forgotten the blood was on his hands, to begin with. The letter slips from his trembling grasp, smearing the blood as unsettlement takes hold, taking his time staring at the evidence of carnage on his hands. Peter's entire body begins to shake, tensing so hard the veins in his face begin to show as he suppresses a scream, it's only when he begins grinding his teeth do they see them.
Four large fangs begin to retract from his teeth under the stress, his eyes glowing brighter and brighter until the light at the front door switches on abruptly. The night vision switches off abruptly, revealing the dark crimson stains drowning his attire, as well as the colour of Peter's luminous eyes as they dim.
A beautiful pale silver; reminding Michelle of the pair of earrings her father had gifted her before he left.
The moment the light switches on, Peter doesn't waste time backing away from the door, leaping upwards and disappearing from view, ending the footage. Michelle and Ned have their questions at the tips of their tounges, yet continue to remain patient, unsure if Friday or anyone else is going to speak.
"After that night, I didn't see Pete until Morgan's first birthday, and trust me, it took me another six months to get any explanation," Pepper informs the group. "Took some time, but Friday's speculations were almost one hundred per cent. Friday?"
"After analysing all the crimes that took place during the week of that night, I discovered a Miss Felicia Hardy, a professional burglar by the alias of Black Cat, was found brutally murdered. The Tracksuit Mafia, run by Wilson Fisk AKA the Kingpin, was suspected to be involved in the vigilante's death. Peter spent the next two days following at the Compound locked in his lab, only leaving the room to vigorously train in the Compound's gym. During that time, Dr Parker displayed great emotional distress and fits of rage, tearing his room apart before taking leave. Fisk, who was running for Mayor of New York the following week, was found massacred in a facility alongside agents of a collaboration known as the KGB Hydra Cooperative, and evidence of Fisk's involvement scattered everywhere. It was the day Fisk was meant to run for Mayor a new vigilante appeared in the city, mercilessly bringing order and safety back to the streets. No matter the people he needed to break, or bodies he needed to bury."
The pictures on the holo table fade, switching to a file that takes a few seconds to unlock. A profile of a vigilante appears on-screen, sprawled out with information. All of his figure's suit is black, from the trench coat he wears, and the armoured suit beneath it, to the two large, strange-looking pistols holstered at the centre of a utility belt. The nightmarish mask armed with four razor-sharp spider-like mandibles and the hood shielding the vigilante from the rain; all black.
Only his large white eyes are the only opposing shade.
"Benjamin Winter, known as the Huntsman. Considered nothing but a murderer, mercenary and cyberterrorist to many, but to the many more he's saved and liberated across the globe, he's seen as an emblem of fear for the monsters of the world. As mentioned previously, the Huntsman first appeared in New York following the death of Wilson Fisk, and within three weeks, the crime rate plummeted from 89.3% to 9.1%. The remaining per cent is speculated to be the many murders left in the wake of the Spider. From New York, the Huntsman was spotted in the southern states taking down neo-nazis and supremacists. In Mexico, hunting cartel members, tearing apart genocidal militias in the Congo, and as far as to take out all but the top branch of the Solntsevkaya Bratva in Russia. Tracking terrorists from Italy to France before landing in Brazil to set fear into the gangs of the slums. Though not single-handled, the Huntsman was essential in shutting down the Power Broker in Madripoor, shutting down a successful operation that recreated the super soldier serum. There was nowhere the Huntsman considered outside of his jurisdiction, and every time the Avengers came close to intercepting him, he always disappeared before they could."
"And you're insinuating Peter is the Huntsman?!" Michelle hisses, chewing on her lip in annoyance.
"No," Bucky shakes his head. "We're saying, we know he is. Didn't take long for us to begin suspecting as much, but he was rather- open about it. Not the details of what he was doing, but- his intentions, why he decided simply beating thugs wasn't enough. We knew trying to stop him was only going to make him resent us, our first attempts got too close to the possibility. With every visit, each becoming rarer and rarer, those of us left behind watched Peter become less and less of himself. He was turning more into Benjamin Winter than Peter Parker."
"It's okay if you need a sec," Wanda points out. "I hate to say it, but as close as we are to telling you where Peter is, there's more you need to know of the Huntsman."
"No, no we don't need a break, as long as we know what happened by the end of this meeting," Michelle pauses, standing firm, her eyes meeting Ned's. His nod of approval allows her to continue, closing her eyes and taking a soft breath before she speaks. "Leave nothing out."