Chapter 3: You Have To Let Me Do This
"Leave nothing out."
Despite how the sickness in her stomach worsens with every word she hears, Michelle couldn't help but stay firm. Devoid herself of looking weak in front of the Avengers, Pepper and May. Even Ned, regardless of the mutual shellshock this absolute bomb of information has dropped on them.
She needs them to know she can take it, in defiance of the pain it's causing her and Ned.
In defiance of the millions of thoughts racing through their minds; the consequence of a feverish hunger for the truth.
Her dorky loser, Peter Parker- a mercenary and a killer?
She remembers the day she admitted to Ned she was certain Peter was Spider-Man, the dumbfounded expression on his face quickly shifting to a look of defeat. Michelle insisted Peter didn't have to know, that she'd tell him when the time was right, not wanting that knowledge to add weight to the burden she imagined him carrying. That's when she surprised herself, vocalising her concern towards Peter's... hobbies. Not only the injuries she's seen Spider-Man take on the internet but the toll it could take on his mental health over time.
The utmost worry; what would happen if one day Peter just couldn't take it anymore.
What if he couldn't handle so much loss over the years he would've been Spider-Man?
Both she and Ned knew being Spider-Man wasn't something that was going to disappear so Peter could go to college, or settle down. Spider-Man was there to stay.
And they truly believed that.
Nor, as much as it troubled them, did they ever think he'd give up entirely, or use his powers to become a more- permanent solution.
Now it's confirmed- their concerns weren't for nothing.
Now they have to know more.
They have to know just how dangerous Peter has become.
"What else do you know about Peter being the Huntsman? I mean-" Ned pauses, eyes not leaving the figure displayed on the holo-table. He used to be Spider-Man's guy in the chair, his moral support when a patrol went horribly wrong. On nights Peter wasn't able to save a life, dragging him from the depths of his sorrow before he could drown. "Can't be the only one curious about, oh I don't know, the glowing eyes and sharp fangs?"
That question causes Bucky to fall still, sighing deeply as he rubs his eyes. "I can answer that one, and in actuality, that relates back to the night he disappeared. The facility Fisk and dozens of the Tracksuit Mafia were butchered was running an operation conducted by the KGB Hydra Cooperative. The Power Broker conducted business with Fisk from Madripoor, selling him eighteen samples of the recreated super soldier serum. Fisk used one on himself and sold the others to the Cooperative in exchange for good faith. The KGB and Hydra wanted to use the serum and radioactive spiders to create a series of soldiers called Winter Spiders. When Peter ran hell on the facility with Frank Castle, the two were able to rescue four test subjects who survived the DNA-altering spider bites before the serum could turn them into monsters-"
"Did you just say Peter was working with Frank Castle?" Ned questions, blinking at the former Winter Soldier. "As in the Punisher?"
"Unfortunately so. Friday, can you place the file on the Rogue Shadows beside the Huntsman's profile?" Bucky softly requests, almost expecting Stark to berate him for ordering his AI around. Without speaking, Friday displays the file, a list of ten individuals, their faces depicted beside their names. "That night, Peter offered Castle not only a partnership but an oath as well. Parker suggested Castle take one of the serums to be capable of fighting world-level threats, insisting the world needed another force to protect them when the Avengers couldn't. Pete told me Castle's only hesitation was the risk of turning into an undisciplined murderous maniac, as the serum amplifies key traits of someone's personality, so they made a pact to kill the other if it came to that-"
"You're not saying what I think you're saying, right?" Michelle perks up, a look of disbelief on her face. "That idiot took the serum didn't he?"
"Yes, they both did," Bucky confirms. "Parker was lucky the serum didn't turn him into a beast, but his DNA seemed to allow the adaptation and further enhancement to his body."
"Like the eyes and fangs?" Michelle raises a brow.
"Well, I'd like to say that's the full extent of it," Bucky chuckles nervously. "But yes. His eyes adapted to see in the dark, which he learnt to control over time, capable of switching the silver glow off. The fangs, well, they're retractable too and believe me, pack a hell of a punch. Super soldier metabolism burns through poison pretty quickly, but even I was feeling woozy for a minute or two. Grossly enough, his remaining hand can fire organic webbing, though he never let Dr Cho examine that neat trick of his."
"That's," Michelle pauses. "Kinda cool?"
"Peter can see in the dark, fire actual webbing out of his wrist and has fangs capable of putting down a horse, and you think that's cool?!" Ned exclaims, overlooking Michelle who narrows her eyes at him.
"You don't?" Michelle takes Ned's silence for an answer. "I do have one question. You said the serum amplifies key traits in someone's personality. What did it do to Peter?"
"It's difficult to say what the serum would've done if Peter wasn't under such turmoil at the time, but I like to think it intensified more good than bad. The serum heightened Pete's vigilance and attentiveness, his urge to protect the people he loves, and people in general, no matter how bashful he became. It also strengthened his sense of honour, responsibility, intelligence and creativity, but unfortunately," Bucky sighs. "The last of those four was almost always involved with the kid's business as the Huntsman."
"What do you mean?" Ned questions further, and Wanda clears her voice before speaking.
"I stayed with Peter during most of his recovery after his return from Titan and- he suffered great nightmares. Some of which I- tried to soothe with my magic, with his permission, of course. Yet- his mind and heart were so full of dread and pain, it took some time before I could make a real difference, and his nightmares were always the same," Wanda explains, hesitantly looking at Tony. "Pete never could accept it when we told him he didn't fail you that day. He believed he simply wasn't strong enough to stop Thanos from killing half the universe and became obsessed with being superior."
"Let's make it clear, Pete wasn't infatuated with being superior to everyone else," Bucky comments, shaking his head. "No, he was infatuated with being the most superior version of himself. Taking the serum only prolonged the full extent of his potential, and seemed to have released whatever darkness resided in that boy's broken heart, bringing his worst impulses to the surface. Peter isn't inherently evil, nor does he kill innocent people, regardless of his grim urges, he's an expert at preventing collateral damage, and I will stand by that until the day I die. But as I've said to his face, his appetite for justice and liberation will continue to lead him down paths of cruelty.
"The serum fed into his obsessions and his drive to protect the world-" Wanda continues. "-and many of the greatest accomplishments of the last five years are thanks to his ingenuity. There are many examples of the positive outcomes of the serum's effects on Pete, but it was truly a shock to see him so cold, even aggressive at times. Yet, the betterment of the effects almost always seems to overshadow when Peter was furthest from himself. Always helpful, no matter his mood. Always caring, no matter the circumstances. Took some time, but when we all got used to who he was, we had our Peter back."
"When he was around, sometimes it felt like no time passed at all, but he always seemed to disappear when we least expected," Bucky soughs. "As I was saying, the Huntsman and the Punisher using the serum began their partnership as co-captains of this team. Stark, if I may?"
"What is it, Elsa?" Bucky can tell Tony's smug grin is hiding his animosity towards him, especially Steve.
"I'm sure you did your research on Parker and Castle's crew?" Tony only gives a nod of acknowledgment. "You have a skill for the theatrics, so I'm happy to leave the introductions to you."
"What a wonderful idea, snowflake," Tony chuckles, and Bucky swears the smugness of his grin faltered to a genuine smile. At least for a moment. Tony then motions to the two. "The Rogue Shadows, a team of suicidal killers, some of which I'm unsure can actually die, but I digress. I'm sure you've heard of the big bad Punisher. A mean ol' military veteran with a vendetta on crime? Thought you would. The third man on the list is Miles Morales, known as the Prowler-"
Michelle and Ned examine the Prowler's armoured tactical suit; consisting of mostly green and dark purple. A green spider symbol sprawled across his chest with glowing green lenses, as well as fluorescent purple claws and gauntlets. They never thought they'd see a Spider-themed vigilante wear a purple cape.
"-one of the four Pete rescued from the Cooperative. Considering the original Prowler has begun stalking the streets again, I suspect Morales is a relative who took on the mantle to survive after the Snap and got caught stealing from the wrong people. He has abilities like Peter, with a couple of extras, like invisibility and an electrified punch capable of sending Capsicle back to 1940. From what I've heard, Miles here was the heart of the team, the same way Peter was to us."
Michelle knows she heard that correctly.
The same way Peter was to us.
Was.
God, Michelle hopes her instincts don't end up being right.
"The fourth man on the list is, uh, for lack of a better explanation- technically three people, though I don't know the exact specifics. Marc Spector, a vicious mercenary long before becoming an avatar to the Egyptian God of the Moon Khonshu, turning him into the infamous Moon Knight. Spector here has dissociative identity disorder and has three personalities that actually affect the appearance Moon Knight takes. Marc resembles an Egyptian mummy crossed with a warrior, like the one you're seeing now. One of his personalities wears a full white suit, mask and even gloves, while the other almost resembles Marc, but wears more a lot more black. Don't know how Pete managed to talk this guy into joining the ranks, but one thing's for certain doesn't seem to be a lot in the world that can stop Spector from getting what he wants."
"Onto the first woman on the team, and perhaps the meanest looking assassin I've ever seen," Tony glances at Natasha and Yelena, their icy glares sending a chill down his spine despite the smirks on their faces. "I take that back, she's the third meanest assassin I've ever seen. Moving on, this is Elektra Natchios, an assassin trained from a young age to be the Black Sky, the successor to lead an organisation of ninjas known as the Hand. Rumours say she was killed and resurrected by an elixir of dragon chi, enhancing her physical capabilities to make her an apex predator in her field of work. Expert martial artist, and weapon expert who loves to kill her enemies with sais. A real treat, and one of the fiercest assets to the Rogue Shadows. After Natchios, I may as well move on to the last woman on the team-"
"-Colleen Wing. One of New York's Iron Fists, and a former member of the Hand like Elektra. Wing can channel the chi in her body to charge the power of her fist to a destructive degree, as well as transfer that energy to her katana. Not a lot to find on this one, I'm afraid, she's kept a low profile after disbanding her connections to the Hand and had a romantic relationship with Danny Rand, the Iron Fist she succeeded. I can only imagine she wanted vengeance after Rand disappeared with the rest of the fifty per cent. That one was short and sweet, I'll admit, but I'm certain you'll find this one interesting-"
"-a James 'Logan' Howlett, a guy whose history dates back further than Mr America," that particular comment sparks Steve's interest. After all, the age of 'the Wolverine' is an empty slot, but given the circumstances, Rogers didn't give it much thought.
"You're saying this guy is older than me and Bucky?"
"I'm saying, S.H.I.E.L.D. has speculated this guy is older than American Civil War, and fought in it," Tony chuckles, unable to contain the excitement in his tone. "He might be the oldest war veteran known to man. Fought in the First World War, some ridiculously old evidence from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s little piggy bank of data suggests he fought at the front line during the Second World War."
"Well, if I'm honest, the more I look at him, the more familiar his face is looking," Bucky remarks, scratching the hair on his chin. "Could swear I saw this guy wipe out an entire group of Hydra soldiers with such rage and power, walking off many injuries before the enemy overwhelmed us. How I ended up getting captured- the first time anyway."
"And I didn't go to the front line until you got captured, so that'd be why I've never seen him," Steve places a hand on his best friend's shoulder, noticing how tense Bucky got after referring to his imprisonment.
"You, Steve, will also be interested to hear this Canadian bundle of joy operated under Agent Carter directly during America's fight with Japan before getting captured-"
"You're certain of that?" Steve ponders.
"I'll be happy to send you the files myself."
"More importantly," Natasha speaks up, raising a brow at Stark. "Have you been poking your head where it doesn't belong, again?"
"It was for research purposes?" Tony shrugs his shoulders. "I'm sure jolly Nick won't mind too much, Rushman, especially if it involves Parker's team. I digress if it's not too painful. Excellent! As I was saying, the entirety of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the US army believed Howlett was killed after the atomic bombings, but he mysteriously reappeared months later, fit for service. Continued his service under Agent Carter's command through the Cold War and Vietnam War before vanishing into the Weapon X program, which grafted hot experimental liquid metal called adamantium onto the entirety of his skeleton, making his bones as durable as Cap's shield."
"How can somebody survive such an experiment?" Kate questions. "Any sort've burn hurts like a bitch-" that statement causes Yelena to giggle, covering her face 'nonchalantly' to try to hide it. "-I couldn't imagine having my skeleton turned into metal."
"Um, it's more the metal is overlaying his skeleton, probably to avoid the restriction of blood flow to his bones-" Tony pauses, snickering at the look on Kate's face as she tries to keep up with his tangent. "My bad. I meant to say I'm glad you asked, Lady Hawk because he survived due to one of his mutations. His body's ability to heal is as unique as it gets, minor injuries heal instantaneously while the more grievous injuries take a minute at most. It's probably why he's as old as Snowflake and capsicle, well, that and it's tough killing someone who has bone claws that can cut through almost anything, and anyone for that matter. His senses are heightened to an animalistic degree, I dare say it rivals Pete's. Combine that with a fierce temper and drive to get any mission done, it's no wonder this guy was a contingency plan to take out the Hulk."
Tony watches Bruce glance over at the group, watching them curiously after hearing that particular comment. "What's his alias?"
"The Wolverine. I'd like to say he's the most interesting of the team, but it appears Pete has an act for enlisting the most dangerous of individuals."
"What makes you say that?" Michelle asks, dry and sarcastically. "Seems pretty normal to me, so far. Spector's a character, but there are two Gods in the room, so I really shouldn't be surprised avatars to Egyptian Gods are a thing."
"What about vampires and men with flaming skulls?" Tony tilts his head. "Because that's the company Parker found himself keeping. S.H.I.E.L.D., despite one of their agents working alongside the latter to destroy many threats to the world, don't have an awful lot on these two. Eric Brooks, known as the vigilante Blade, is half-vampire half-human, a daywalker whose keen interests seem to be culling the population of supernatural creatures who threaten to flip the balance in their favour. Vampires, in particular, seem to be the centre of that threat, and Twilight here appears to enjoy killing every vamp he encounters. That leads to Robbie Reyes, a former mechanic embued with a powerful demonic force that transforms him into what those who have witnessed call Ghost Riders. Seems he isn't the only one of his kind, but I've never seen a man with a flaming skull driving a flaming muscle car, so that'd be an interesting conversation to have-"
"-Now, there's one more person in the team to introduce before we tell you- what happened to Peter," Tony visibly swallows at his words. "Please, bear with us. I don't know how I managed to do this, but I left the man Peter considered one of his best friends last. While Miles is Peter's pupil and like a little brother, Pete considered Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote he hosts to be his equal in all respects, despite the fact they were enemies, at first. The Huntsman and Venom are a deadly force when united, directly responsible for the eradication of the psychopath Cletus Cassidy and the Carnage symbiote, stopping his massacre from becoming any worse. I've been told Brock and Miles were the only ones unafraid of randomly appearing at the Compound, but we haven't seen since Peter-"
"He's gone, isn't he?" Michelle finally asks outright. "Everyone who's spoken about him has spoken in the past tense. So I ask, right now. Is. Peter. Dead?"
The room falls silent again, almost everyone's eyes retreat to the floor, aside from a few. Tony clenches his fists, opening his mouth yet unable to find the words. Nebula steps forward, wordlessly swiping the files aside before selecting a video and maximising the screen.
"I am sorry," Nebula weeps, her voice solemn. "As you'll see, I fought to stop him, gave it everything I had. I hope you can- forgive me."
The group focuses on the video; a recording from one of the lenses in Nebula's eyes. Ned and Michelle watch numbly as Nebula and Peter arrive on the mountaintop of an opaque-looking planet, the sky dimly lit by an eclipsing sun, the wind letting out a soft howl. Peter, in his Huntsman attire, weapons, jacket and all, slowly turns to look at Nebula, the white eyes of his black mask narrowing from beneath his hood.
"This is the place?" The depth of Peter's voice surprises the pair, the passive venom in his tone. The mandibles on his mouthpiece move as he speaks. "Thought there'd be- a volcano at least."
"That's your first thought?"
"I'd rather not focus on what else is on my mind. Come on," Peter and Nebula begin walking further up the slope they stand on, approaching a clearing.
"Peter, son of Mary," a sudden voice causes the two to instantly switch around, Nebula accessing weapons on each of her arms. Peter swiftly draws a large firearm from its holster as a long vibranium blade springs from the fist of his metal hand. A shadowy, cloaked figure levitates from above them, slowly lowering itself to the ground. "Nebula, daughter of Zorr."
"Who the fuck are you?!" Peter shouts, firing three shots at the figure, to no avail; the concentrated bolts of red kinetic energy pass through the figure like it's made of air. "Well, that's- neat."
"You cannot release me of my duty, for I have tried."
"What do you want from us?!" Nebula screams, matching the steps her partner takes backwards.
"Consider me- a guide, to you, and to all who seek the Soul Stone." The figure's face shudders from the shadows, revealing to be a man who many in the room recognise as the Red Skull.
"Well, ain't that fucking dandy, hey?" Peter growls, motioning towards the steps. "Lead the way, then."
The group watch Nebula and Peter following their guide, Michelle noticing Parker protectively standing between the luphomoid and the former Hydra leader. Once they reach the peak of the mountain, the Red Skull levitates towards the ledge of a cliffside, stopping at the edge. Peter and Nebula exchange a long worrisome look, hesitantly joining their guide at the ledge.
"So, this is the stop?" Peter whispers to Nebula, who nods her head in return, quietly looking at her shaking hands before clenching her fist. Everyone watches as the Huntsman turns to face the Red Skull, eyes narrowing at the wraith. "I already know where the Stone is, Darth Maul, but- do your duty."
"In order to take the Stone-" the man pauses, motioning to the cliffside, each of the pair staring off into the distance.
Michelle and Ned can feel their hearts sinking into their stomachs, a fever of dread burning them from the inside.
"-you must lose that which you love-"
"No," Michelle gasps quietly, eyes glistening with tears.
"-an everlasting exchange-"
"This can't be," Ned chews on his thumbnail nervously.
"-a Soul for a Soul."
Peter and Nebula look at each other yet again, walking a distance from a cliffside without needing to say a word, stopping in their tracks; distant enough to speak privately.
"Well," Peter clicks his tongue, gesturing to their attendant. "He's cheery, real shame one of us has to leave his company on such- short notice."
"Please, do not joke about this," Nebula hisses. "This is serious."
"I know."
"Thanos killed my sister to get the Stone, and she's gone, Pete, forever. Even if we have all the Stones, I don't believe the Soul Stone can be influenced to release anyone exchanged for it."
"Nebs, I know. I'm- I'm sorry- look," Peter sighs deeply, his shoulders slouching for a few seconds, straightening before continuing. "If we don't get that Stone- trillions of people stay dead. We both know something's gotta happen here."
"It does," Nebula agrees, gazing into the desolate beauty of the planet's scenery. "Whatever it takes."
"Whatever it takes," Peter repeats, unspoken understanding between them, something each of them is able to read. The group watches as Nebula slowly looks down at Peter's clawed fingers, the nanotech beginning to dissipate as Peter grasps one of her hands with both of his own. By the time Nebula looks back at Parker, all the nanotech of his suit has evaporated completely, and after slipping off his hood, Peter's face is on full display.
He can no longer conceal the sorrow in his eyes and the subdued rageful frown on his lips.
Michelle and Ned can't help but feel lost.
In appearance, the Peter Parker they knew is a distant memory; the shape of his eyes and the colour of his long brown curls the only echoes of the past.
The curls of his hair fall down to his shoulders, slicked back behind his ears, and his thick beard passes his chin ever so slightly, well-groomed to hug closer to his face. The scar on his face cuts through the hair on his face, leaving a line as precise as a razor, disappearing beneath the neck of his tactical suit.
He looks so much older than twenty-one, the passing time and harrowing experiences have clearly worn him down over time. Yet, there's a hint of impassioned resolve in the silvery glow of his eyes as it fades, revealing the familiar dark brown eyes hiding beneath the light. He doesn't look at Nebula as he speaks, tightening his hold on her hands.
"Then I guess we know who it's gotta be, huh?"
"I guess we do."
Nebula places her second hand on Peter's wrist, rubbing it soothingly with her thumb, prompting his head to snap towards her. "I'm starting to think- we mean different people here, Nebs."
"For the last five years, I've been trying to do a single thing, get to here- to this moment," Nebula sighs. "A way to bring everyone back, a way to make up for the things I did under my- under Thanos' control. A way to- see Gamora again."
"No, Nebula," Peter shakes his head. "You don't want to believe it, but your time with the Guardians has more than made amends. There are other ways to see Gamora again, and frankly, there's an alternative to bring everybody back."
"And what's that? Me letting you take the fall for me?" Nebula hisses, and despite the frustration they share, neither releases the other.
"Don't get all fucking decent on me now, Nebs," Peter growls with equal vigour.
"I'm trying to save your life, you idiot."
"What makes you think I want that, hm?" Peter says so casually it's heartbreaking. "I'd jump off this cliff a thousand times before I let anyone I love do it for me. Besides, out of anyone in the Compound, I am the most deserving of this fate, and don't you fucking defend that statement. I'm a monster, Nebula-"
"You're not-"
"I am," Peter interrupts again. "You're one of the five people I've let past my walls, Nebs. One of the five people I've told first-hand of the things I've done, the person I've become, and why. You have to understand why I've gotta do this."
"And you have to know at this point, I don't judge people on their worst mistakes," Nebula says softly, wiping off a tear that has strayed down his cheek.
"Maybe you should," Peter tells through clenched teeth, struggling to stop the emotions from breaking the resolve on his face.
"You didn't."
"But you changed, Nebs, you adapted, bounced back harder than anyone I've ever met. Thanos forged you into an assassin and tried to steal the humanity away from you, but you didn't let him and hand-carved yourself to be the Guardian the Galaxy needed. A Guardian to many, including me. Plus, I like to think I have great intuition," he smirks at the luphomoid. "You're my family, Nebula, and you've been so ever since we were stuck on that ship."
"You're the biggest pain in my ass," Nebula shakes her head.
"Yeah, I know, but hey, I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for you taking care of me. You ensured I survived up to this moment, so please, at the very least, let me repay the favour. You can find happiness you never thought possible, all it takes is time."
"So can you. What about Kate? Yelena?" Nebula questions. "This is why you didn't want them accompanying you? You didn't want them to know you were doing this."
"Well, that, and with those two, this wasn't going to be a battle I'd win, but- I couldn't risk them any more than I could you."
"You're throwing away a future with them, Peter-"
"So that everyone else can have one, even without me, my Hawk and Widow will continue to have one another. That- gives me hope."
"You truly don't think you can be happy, can you?"
"I've thought about it, and in rare moments I think maybe- if I stopped," Peter sighs, more tears escaping. "But I can't, it's too late for that. I won't stop, I know I won't, and I know I can't bear the thought of everybody we lost- seeing me like this. I won't break their hearts by being alive, the alternative is- easier. I'd rather be remembered as the man who gave it all to save the universe, than a violent beast who selfishly took his vendetta on the criminals of the world. Please, let me do something selfless again."
Wordlessly, Peter and Nebula careen in, leaning on the other's forehead, their breathing heavy and uneven as they accept the situation. Peter closes his eyes, his nostrils flaring as he seems to painfully swallow his pride. They stay like that for a short moment before his eyes open again, leaning away from her.
"Okay," he whispers, nodding his head. "You win."
The group watches as a sly smirk gradually appears on Peter's face, and in a swift motion, he snatches onto Nebula's arms and shoves her back. The sudden speed she's thrown catches Michelle and Ned by surprise, the hard grunt leaving Nebula's lips as she impacts the wall giving them enough insight into Peter's bolstered strength.
"I'm sorry, Nebula, but like I said, I won't let anyone do this but me," Peter snarls, leaping onto a nearby rock. "I've always held back with you, Nebula, and the rest of the Avengers, but I won't, not with this. Stand down-"
"Fuck you," Nebula hisses back, slowly pushing herself to her feet. "If you think I'm going to standby and watch you die, you've got another thing coming."
"You don't understand, I cannot let you-" As Peter's seeable fury grows, the shine of his eyes returns tenfold, fists clenched so tight his knuckles pop. "-interfere."
"And I can't let you make this stupid decision."
Peter's eyebrows furrow, digging deep, his suit engulfing his body within seconds, leaving his face and hair exposed. As the claws on his fingers return, Parker stabs them into the rock behind him with one hand, looking ready to pounce on his partner as he speaks a single word.
"Fine."