AN: Story's Shadow and I are so thankful for the positive response this story has gotten already, thank you all.
-New York City, Manhattan, the next day-
Spider-Man web slings across the city, overlooking the people below. The smile under his face as broad as ever.
(God yesterday was fun, guys. Seeing everyone together like that was special. Makes me sentimental.)
Spider-Man landed on a building. He sighed as something specific came to mind.
(I uh...noticed my old team on that...haven't seen or spoken to them in a while. Bucket Head's with the Guardians, acting as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s liaison with them. He wanted to get back to working with them again. He does come back home obviously, haven't seen him in a month or so. Luke's in Harlem, after he graduated he decided to act as one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s agents in the city. He's gained quite a reputation from what I've heard. I saw him last week, we went out for a bite to eat and took out some Hydra goons trying to recruit some poor kids into doing their dirty work. The fortune cookie is back in Kun-Lun, he's been busy their protecting the city and working in China as one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top agents there when he can. He came to visit the Academy a few weeks ago as a guest instructor in hand to hand combat. You should've seen him he wiped the floor with all the students. *Chuckles*)
That last memory made him smile broadly. Then his smile slowly disappeared as his mind went to the last member of his former team.
(And Ava...well, she went back to Puerto Rico. She's been working as a covert agent in Latin America, taking down cartels and any big bad guys there. Several sex trafficking rings have been shredded by her, the girls she saved are now free and some working for S.H.I.E.L.D. and her as contacts. All the bad guys down there are terrified of her, why wouldn't they be? *Chuckles*)
The brief smile faded.
(I uh...haven't seen her for half a year now. She's been really busy down there. Fury is constant contact with her, she's one of his top agents now like the rest of the old gang. I miss her...I miss them all.)
A tear slowly slithered down his face. Then an idea popped in his mind.
(That's it!)
He fired a shot of webbing and took off.
-Avengers' Tower, a few minutes later-
Spider-Man landed on the landing deck of the tower. He pulled out his Avengers' ID card.
"Access granted, welcome back Spider-Man," F.R.I.D.A.Y. greeted.
(Oh right, that's F.R.I.D.A.Y., Tony's new A.I. after J.A.R.V.I.S. was destroyed...kinda miss that emotionless voice...but still, I like her too...it...her...I'll just say 'her'.)
"Thanks," he replied.
The door opened and he walked in. Spider-Man looked around. He heard footsteps. Steve was walking downstairs in civilian clothes.
"Good to see you, Spider-Man," Steve greeted.
"Thanks, Cap," Spidey replied.
"I'm glad you brought those young men's artwork to our intention. It's good to see people come together like that and this of a harder lifestyle showing they're capable individuals. They gotten to work on your portrait?" Steve said.
"Was that a joke?! And a good one too. Not that you don't do good ones!" Spidey laughed then stammered.
"It's alright," Steve chuckled.
"Where are the others?" Spider-Man asked.
"Tony and Sam are in the lab working on some form of new security system. We haven't a break-in in a while, but I suggested it's better to be prepared...plus they were bored. Clint is napping in his room, Natasha is...actually I don't know where she is, she'll pop up soon though. Hulk and Thor are in the training room, using it to make themselves fight fake Frost Giants. The other Avengers are in different places: Carol's on a mission with the Guardians in space, Kamala and Dante are visiting the Inhuman royalty, Vision is currently in sleep mode to upgrade his system, Ant Man and Wasp are working on some new tech of their own, Red Hulk is with the S.M.A.S.H.E.R.S., and Black Panther is Wakanda...and Roberto is still in training but I feel he'll be ready when the time comes," Steve answered.
(Whoa, didn't expect all that.)
"Umm, cool. Right...uh... I was wanting to talk about...umm..." Spider-Man tried to say.
"Yes?" Steve asked.
"Thought I heard too much talking," someone said.
Clint walked into the room.
"You still sour I beat your time in the training room?" Spider-Man joked.
Clint rolled his eyes.
"What's going on wall crawler?" Clint asked.
"Could uh...you guys get the Avengers together, just the ones here. I've got something I want to ask you guys," Spider-Man answered.
Several minutes later all those the Avengers in the tower and Natasha, who did just pop up, stood around the common room of the tower. Spider-Man stood before them.
"Thanks guys, I have a request," Spider-Man said.
"Want us to design you a real costume? About time," Clint chuckled.
This was quickly followed by his mouth being covered by webbing. Thor, Hulk, Sam, and Tony laughed at this. Natasha couldn't help her smirk. Steve sighed and gave Spider-Man a perplexed look. Clint viciously tried to rip the webbing off.
"Now then, I wanted to...I wanted to...*Sighs* I wanted to ask you all if you would make my team, my original team, Avengers," Spider-Man said.
The Avengers didn't say anything at first. They each contemplated this.
"This would be the guy with the helmet that kinda gives him powers like my suit does, the one with the unbreakable skin and super strength, the kung fu kid, and the tiger girl right?" Tony asked.
"Kinda a really simple summary of each of them, but yeah," Spider-Man said.
"The one with the helmet flying around with Guardians and Carol's kinda annoying. But last I heard he was really irritating Carol, so I'm good with him getting in. Plus, I'd love to see his pranks I've heard about," Clint said.
"You've heard about them?" Spidey asked.
"I've heard word around S.H.I.E.L.D. about what he'd get up to," Clint chuckled.
"He's not the only one. He'd also be fun to pull pranks on as well," Tony said.
The other nodded, some more hesitantly than others.
"Luke Cage, I've heard he's been doing some good work in Harlem," Natasha said.
"He's a good smasher too," Hulk chuckled, punching one hand into the other.
"Yeah, I remember bringing one of Tony's old suits to for a target practice when we had that prank war. He came in and did that suplex on it. That was funny," Clint said.
He and Hulk laughed at this, Tony grumbled.
"I actually met him in Harlem a few months ago. We actually took down some racist bastard's in the neighborhood. It was fun. He's also really loved by the community there. Having a man of the people is always a good thing," Sam said.
"Ah, and the Fist of Iron. A noble warrior. I remember my visits to S.H.I.E.L.D. where I saw him train. He's a skilled combatant and an honorable soldier. And from what I've heard, a king now too. It's always good to have one of royal stock and purpose around. It would be an honor to have him with us," Thor proclaimed.
(Good! This is really good! Just leaves Ava.)
"And Ms. Ayala, I've heard she's becoming one of our best covert agents. She has the cartels running scared in Latin America. I've been following her exploits, she would be invaluable. Having another woman on the team with such determination and will would really help the team keep itself focused," Natasha said.
"I remember her. She was a fierce fighter, I say very much comparable to Black Panther in her attitude and drive. And I saw her leadership potential when she worked with you, Spider-Man. You two were truly a formidable team. I say you have our answer," Steve said.
(YES!)
"Thank you so much guys! I gotta go call Fury right away! I'll see you later! Bye!" Spider-Man said then rushed out.
Spider-Man quickly called Fury who appeared on a hologram.
"What is it, Parker?" Fury asked.
"Director Fury, boy do I have some news for you. Time for one hell of a reunion," Spidey said, unable to hide his excitement.
-Meanwhile: Unknown Location-
"For so many centuries years I have waited for the moment to come. What I so rightly deserve will soon be in my grasp...and my power will be greater than ever," someone chuckled.
Their voice was deep and cruel voice, a terrible chuckling tone that would send a chill down anyone's back. An imposing figure of a man sat on a terrifying and regal looking throne. His servants and warriors all kneeled before him.
"I have won nine out of the ten required to merge the realms, but soon the last one... will be mine," the man said cruelly as he balled his hands into fists in eager anticipation.
The man turned to an older looking man standing to his right. He wore long robes one would consider that of ancient Chinese royalty. He had two long thing lines of gray hair that made a mustache and another from the front of his chin to make a beard. His long gray hair was pulled back. He stood with a similar demeanor to the man on the throne.
"Shang Tsung, I trust that my warriors are ready?" the man quizzed his sorcerer.
"I have indeed told them which fighters they are to kill during the great tournament. Raiden is unaware that the fighters he is recruiting to combat us, will be signing their death warrants. As always master, I have prepared for Earthrealm's defeat. And your champion is always there to kill any who would make it to the final battle," Shang Tsung said smoothly and confidently.
"Good, do not fail me sorcerer," the man in charge said.
"Yes master," Shang Tsung replied, a hint of fear in his voice.
The man smirked at that.
"My generals must be ready to lead my forces into Earthrealm once the last foe falls in the tournament," he commanded.
"They all have orders to prepare for the invasion after the tournament is complete. The armies are ready and waiting, master," Shang Tsung replied.
The man nodded. His fingers tapped on the arms of the throne as he contemplated his next words carefully.
"When the tournament is one and the invasion begins, any who resist are to be slaughtered on the spot. Make examples of their leaders once captured. Those who don't resist put to work either there or sent here, I don't want anything to be missed in my conquest," the man said.
The warriors before him nodded their hands in understanding. He stood up from his throne.
"Soon, Earthrealm shall be mine. Too long I have had to wait to claim it, but once the tournament is finished it shall be mine," he chuckled.
He laughed for a minute or two then sat back on his throne. His smile slowly faded and a strange look contorted on his face.
"What is it master?" Shang Tsung asked.
"Knowing I shall be taking Raiden's precious Earthrealm will be most satisfying, his horror and despair at realizing all he has worked for was all for nothing shall be glorious...but...I find myself...wondering...no realm has fought so desperately for their freedom and to crush such hopes shall soon be gone once the tournament and conquest are complete...if only there were more realms...ones that crushing such hope will be so deliciously sweet...but still, the time has come. Prepare for the tournament, do not fail me," the man stated.
The warriors and Shang Tsung bowed their heads and left.
"It shall soon be yours, emperor," a tall pale skinned man with red tattoos and symbols all over his body said in a deep voice.
"I have no doubt that I will win this tenth and final tournament, Quan Chi. But as I said: it's sad that the conquest will be at an end when Earthrealm falls." the emperor said as he stood from his throne and left Quan Chi alone to ponder.
The emperor was unaware to the smile on Quan Chi's face as he left the room.
To Be Continued...