SHIELD Offsite holding facility. Location unknown. One week after the Braithwaite Bridge Incident.
As she walked through the corridor to her cell, Phin Mason wished she could've escaped, staged a break out and get back to destroying the company and people that took away her brother, his work and his legacy. Unfortunately for her, SHIELD wasn't Roxxon, and they were thorough with their checkups and work, and they left Phin with absolutely no room for maneuver, not to mention that she knew that after Goblin's attack, her days could be numbered for good in one of their super-max prisons.
So, instead of simply going down quietly without anything to show for it to Rick, Phin chose a different path and gave the SHIELD one thing it was interested the most – the bigger fish, the AIM. Thanks to her brother's connections to certain people, Phin was able to escape Krieger and found herself in the care of AIM, who were more than happy and willing to provide her the means to exact her revenge. Naturally it came at the cost, but at the time, Phin didn't care and chose to help them in their work and several projects, so long as her benefactors held up their deal. And they did, as by the time she returned back to New York and went to work, they provided her resources, finances, sites and more, all that was needed for Phin to quickly make her puppet gang Underground into a force to be reckoned with and destroy Krieger with Roxxon.
Yet now she failed, for Spider-Man and the rest of his arachnid friends had interfered and ruined her perfect plan, and she was taken prisoner. Seeing her options dwindle, she decided to cut a deal with SHIELD: she will give them what she has on AIM, which was quite a lot, and SHIELD will let her off the hook. So far, the deal seemed to be working out, as she was transferred to an undisclosed offsite location for the time being, as she gave SHIELD a few pieces of information she deemed to be good start, with the promise of more. This worked and now Phin could enjoy a relatively comfortable existence, until all the papers about her pardon were ready, and as she returned to her cell, or rather room under guard, Phin was already making plans to renew her operations against Roxxon, and to deal with Spider-Man and his cohorts.
The moment Phin was in her cell, which resembled more of a normal hotel suite, the door behind her closed, and she heard a very familiar voice speak up to her.
"Enjoying the SHIELD's amenities, Miss Mason?" Phin made a sharp turn, and in the chair sat one person she now wished to see the least, knowing that it would not end well. "I heard they reserved these only for their most valued assets. You should feel honored."
"Monica." Phin said with a bit of a hushed tone, as she looked at Monica Rappaccini, one of AIM's top Scientists and leaders, and the person who was basically her boss. "H-how are you here? The cameras and sensors…" Phin was already running half a dozen scenarios on what to do and this will go down.
"Please, do not embarrass yourself, though I can't see if one can fall even lower than this." Monica said, as she rose up from her seat and walked around. "AIM has long known of this place, and it long since served its purpose, of funneling the compromised elements to one place for disposal. Elements, such as yourself, Phin." Monica stated it as if it were a mere fact, with Phin paling.
"Look, Monica, I can explain. Th-the Nuform and the Bridge, I-I had it all under control, but then…" Phin tried to speak up, but Monica interrupted her.
"Remember the core principal of AIM's operations and success, Phin?" Monica asked of her, with Phin stopping. "Tell me." She ordered her.
"The only thing that matters are the results, regardless of methods." Phin stated, with Monica nodding.
"Yes, and what results have you achieved?" Monica asked, before answering. "Your little gang is destroyed, all of your research, prototypes and weapons seized, and most importantly for us, the Nuform is gone, all of it. You have made promises, assured us that you would provide AIM with it, that you would prove yourself to be a worthwhile investment… And instead, you've proven to be a compromised liability, and AIM does not tolerate it." Monica stated to Phin, who already knew where this was going.
"W-wait, I-I did not tell them anything of worth, o-only…" Phin tried to defend herself, desperately trying to find anything that could save her skin, while Monica reached into her uniform, with something catching her attention. "I-I can into the Alchemax! I have a way in, a-and I can get AIM in whenever you need it!" That seemed to pique Monica's interest, so she stopped, as the sweating and pale Phin breathed easier for a minute.
"Do you?" Monica asked of Phin, who hurried to nod. "Explain." Monica ordered, and Phin did so.
"M-my best friend, M-Miles Morales, I-I recently reconnected with him and his mom, a-and he s-said that he was once tutored by P-Peter Parker, the new CEO of Alchemax." Phin explained to Monica. "He said they were good friends, a-and h-he could i-introduce me to Parker, vouch and ask for a job. Th-the way he talked about him, he is a goody-two-shoes and naïve Samaritan, s-so he would look at m-me with sympathy, if I spun him the right tale. And with my knowledge and genius, he would immediately put me somewhere with sensitive tech and information. O-once inside, I-I'll be able to be your mole or even…"
"That I will decide on later." Monica interrupted Phin, before continuing. "Well, Miss Mason, it seems you still have some value, for the moment. You are fortunate that after their recent witch hunt, Parker has managed to eliminate our assets within his corporation, and if you can actually get inside…"
"I can, and I will, i-if I get out of here." Phin told Monica. "Miles… Miles may be smart, but he ain't thinking with his head straight when it comes to friends, and I can use him. He'll get me to Parker, and then…"
"And from then on, you will follow my instructions and orders to the letter, without any form of deviation. Allowing you autonomy without oversight has proven to be a mistake, one that I do not intend to repeat, lest you suffer the consequences." Monica made it clear that any and all mishaps would be on Phin. "You will be provided with the exact set of data to sell to SHIELD to prove your value to them, and we shall ensure your parole on the outside. From then on, make contact with your boyfriend and do whatever it takes to get into Alchemax. Is that understood."
"Yes, Monica." Phin said, with Monica's face hardening at that. "Y-Yes, Miss Rappaccini." Phin corrected herself, with Monica smiling at that.
"Good, you are learning on your mistakes." Monica told her, preparing to leave, but not before adding. "And Phin, compromise yourself and my position by pursuing your pointless goals, and what I was about to do to you a minute ago will be a mercy compared to the punishment you will receive. From now on, you work and belong to AIM, completely." And with that said, Monica Rappaccini activated her teleporter and removed herself out of the facility completely, with Phin sitting down on her bed and letting out a sigh of relief.
As far as the deals with the Devil went, this one was something she could work with, and as for using Miles... It was all for the right cause, and if he didn't understand it, then he didn't deserve to be called her friend. All that Phin now needed to do was act as Monica told her, bide her time… and find the moment to seize back her freedom and revenge for Rick. Nuform was gone, but Roxxon remained, and they will pay for her brother.
Mount Sinai Hospital. Special Case Wing. East Harlem. One week later
"…All in all, Miles is well on his way to being released, Missus. Morales." The doctor stated to Rio Morales, let out a sigh of relief, as she stood outside son's room, while Peter Parker stood nearby. "The last round of anti-radiation procedures and check-ups showing we've gotten Miles' organism clear of the radiation, and his cells are all clean."
"Dios Mio, gracias… Thank you, doctor." Rio thanked the doctor with tears in her eyes. "When I was told he had radiation poisoning, I… I do not know what I would do without my Mijo."
"The one you should really be thanking is Mister Parker here. It's only thanks to him that we've gotten then necessary equipment, and the procedures to save your son, Missus Morales." Doctor stated, with the two turning to Peter. "Without his generous donation of that equipment, medicaments, and even detailed and full-proof procedures, I doubt there was any chance to save your son, not with his levels of radiation poisoning, and that's not to mention the burns and the rest of the trauma, which we are also on our way to fixing. Even in the most fortunate case, your son would be bedridden for a few months he would have left, but now… Now he'll be out of here in a month's time. This is nothing short of a miracle."
"Mister Parker, Peter, I… I have absolutely no way of thanking you for what you did for my son. A simple thank you sounds simply too cheap." Rio said with extreme relief in her voice, with Peter smiling to her. "I promise I will find some way to repay it to you. I know it all cost a fortune and…"
"You don't have do anything, Rio. Miles and I may've had a falling out, because of Octavius, but he is still like a little brother to me, and I would do anything for him." Peter assured her, as he looked through the window, to where Miles was asleep, bandaged and unconscious. "And it wasn't even worth all that much to me, when compared to Miles."
"That's not what most people would say, since the equipment you've brought in is years ahead of the most advance available on the market, and procedures and medicaments are not yet even known to the wider public." Doctor noted. "And to have all of those approved and brought in as fast as you did… You could buy a fully staffed clinic of your own with that kind of money."
"But would that clinic save Miles' life?" Peter asked of Doctor, who shook his head. "And there's your answer, doctor. Anyway, the progress is good?"
"Yes, his life is in no danger, and we are monitoring positive development." Doctor assured them. "We are still keeping him on sedatives, but you can pay him a visit, if you want." Doctor said, with Rio turning to Peter, who spoke up.
"Go ahead. I'll visit some other time." Peter assured Rio, who nodded with a smile and went into the room, leaving Peter and the doctor alone. "If Miles needs anything, and I mean it literally, you have my number, so do not be afraid to call me, understood?" Peter asked of doctor, who nodded, and after bidding his farewell, Peter left the wing and moved to outside, and just as he reached the lobby, he heard a familiar voice which startled him for a moment.
"Sharon, I am telling you, I am alright. Good as new." Peter stopped in his tracks and turned to see Captain America, Steven Rogers, arguing with his long-time girlfriend, Sharon Carter. "All the tests came positive, and doctors say I've got nothing to do in the hospital and…"
"And you nearly died, Steve." Sharon stated to him. "You never took that kind of a damage, the kind that not even your Serum could handle. We… I just want to make sure that this didn't affect it."
"It didn't, I assure you and…" Rogers stopped, as he saw Peter, looking at him with shock. "P-Peter?" Steve said with shock, as Sharon turned to where Steve was looking, seeing the man that had put her boyfriend in this hospital.
"Hey, Steve." Peter said with a bit of an awkwardness, as he turned to Sharon. "Sharon." He simply greeted her with a nod.
"Parker." She said with a reserved tone, before adding. "What are you doing here?" She asked him directly and with steel, which Steve wasn't all too pleased to hear.
"Sharon, it is alright." Steve tried to calm her down.
"No it is not. This man, he… You were his friend, his comrade, and then you nearly killed him, and now you have the gall to show your face in front of…" Sharon was about to tear Peter a new one, before Steve stopped her.
"Sharon, it was not his fault… And after what we did, I can't fault him for what happened." Steve said with a sigh, before he turned to Peter, while Sharon looked at him with shock. "I was hoping we could talk, if you are willing to listen to what I have to say, Peter." Steve's tone indicated that it was not an order, but more of a plea, and Peter spoke up.
"Yeah, I am up for it." Peter told him, with Steve nodding.
"Steve…" Sharon was about to protest.
"I'm sorry, Sharon, but this is something I've got to do, alone. I'll be alright, promise." He assured her, before turning to Peter. "We should take it somewhere else."
"I know a place, we'll be undisturbed." Peter told Steve, and the two left the hospital.
Avengers Mansion. Fifteen minutes later.
"The Mansion?" Steve asked, as he easily leaped over the fence, following Peter, stepping on grounds that haven't been disturbed for a long time, since Avengers moved out to Stark Tower, following a particularly disastrous attack on the Mansion, which saw it nearly leveled.
"Something of a first thing that came to mind." Peter admitted, as they stood before the abandoned Mansion, both of the superheroes recalling their times here. "I used to visit the place after we moved out on the regular, just to see or check on it… Never really figured why Tony didn't rebuild it, and I always liked it more than the Tower. Felt more… grounded, closer to the people." Peter said aloud his thoughts.
"And more like home." Steve said with a sigh, as he looked at the place, understanding what Peter meant. "Maybe moving into the Tower was not such a good idea. We grew too detached from things that mattered to us when we just started, back when the Avengers weren't just a SHIELD strike force, sent out to deal with big threats."
"Maybe, but I wasn't exactly there to see what it actually was back then." Peter noted, before letting out a sigh. "But then again, when I did put on tights, seeing the Avengers out and about usually meant for me that I'd better stay out of sight and prepare to help get people out from crossfire." Steve had nothing to say to that, with both men standing completely silent and calm for the next minute before Captain America spoke up.
"I don't know if anyone told you or not, but I've heard what really happened with you, and about everything else that we have said and done towards you, and others." Steve stated with clear shame in his tone. "You were right, Peter. We… I failed you, as a leader, and most importantly, as a friend and a brother-in-arms. We've fought and bled together countless times, and few men have earned my respect like you did… And yet I have abused your trust, when I asked you to spy on Jessica, and then with the demeaning behavior of others, and then with Octavius… The fact that I didn't see that it was not you… I doubt I'll ever be able to forgive myself for it." Peter could clearly see the shame and regret in Steve's eyes and words, as well as clearest sincerity.
"He seemed to have fooled a whole lot of people that I believed knew and trusted me." Peter said, not in anger, but simply as a matter of a fact, before adding. "Some of them, I couldn't believe that they so readily accepted Otto as me, and I doubt I'll ever fully forgive… But you are not that case, Cap. After what Otto had done to Bucky, I'd have a hard time trusting one of our own." Peter told Steve, surprising the man with mention of the incident that shattered Steve's trust in Spider-Man, before he asked him.
"How… How do you know of it?" Steve asked of Peter.
"I was stuck inside my own body, all that time." Peter told Steve, who was shocked to hear and realize what Peter was through. "Tried to fight it, every second, but could not do a thing… I'm sorry, Steve."
"No… That was Octavius' doing." Steve assured him, before he looked straight Peter to the eyes. "I've failed and betrayed you and your trust, Peter. I do not speak for the Avengers right now, but only for myself, and I am deeply sorry for this. I do not ask for your forgiveness, only for a chance to one day earn it. That is all I wished to tell you." Steve told Peter with complete sincerity, who took a few moments to consider it all, before answering.
"Okay, there is one thing you can do." Peter said, before offering Steve his hand, surprising the man with a gesture, but understanding what it meant and he shook it. "There, it's done. Sorry if I don't come back to the Tower, I better stick to the roots, so to speak." Steve Rogers was surprised at how easily Peter said and seemingly forgave him.
"That's… it?" Steve asked in a bit of a confusion, with Peter raising a brow at that one. "After all that we've done and did not do… I was expecting more."
"Something like beating you to a pulp?" Peter asked in a humorless tone, with Rogers actually shivering at that one. "Yeah, that one was not one of our best."
"Tony and others may disagree… I'd say we deserved it, myself included." Steve noted, before he let out a sigh. "And just so it is clear, I did deserve it, for all I did to you, and for protecting Fisk and not saving Lydia Hardy."
"Well, and there you have it." Peter told Steve, who chuckled, recalling the type of person Peter was. "To be fair, when I only came back, I did think I'd never be able to forgive anyone for not seeing through Octavius' act, and for not trusting and being ready to neuter me on the spot… But a lot of things have changed, and I realized that there far more important and better things to do than carry a grudge on others. Can't say I've let all of that go or ever will, but I think I've managed to get past much of it."
"After all that has happened… I doubt I could do the same, if I were in your shoes." Steve remarked. "Still, thank you, Peter. It means a great deal to me."
"Same here, Cap." Peter smiled to him, before a phone rang and he instinctively moved to his, before realizing it wasn't his. "That's yours?" Peter asked, with Steve taking out his phone, nodding and answering.
"Steven Rogers." Steve answered. "Clint? No, it is alright, there wasn't a break in the Mansion. It's just me and Spider-Man. What are we doing in there? We needed a place to talk and… Wait, Clint, tell him…" And in that next moment right before Steve and Spider-Man landed suited up Iron Man.
"Guess he did actually put some security in here, after all the break ins by Ultron, Red Skull, Baron Zemo, Loki, and…" Peter stopped recounting for a second before turning to Steve. "What was that sword guy's name? You know, the one who tried to join you back after you thawed out?"
"Swordsman." Steve answered, before turning to Tony, who rose up and looked at them, before pointing one of his repulsers at Peter. "Tony, put that down. Peter and I were just talking, nothing more."
"Is that so, or I simply stopped him from giving you another beat down?" Tony said, keeping his palm trained on Peter, who didn't even flinch. "You are not an Avenger anymore, Parker, so you are trespassing. I could have you sued for it." Tony threatened Peter, before Steve put himself between Peter and Tony.
"Stand down, Iron Man. Peter is here with my permission, and last I checked, I had the right to let anyone I trusted in here, before and after we moved to the Tower." Steve stated to Tony, who finally relented. "We had some things that needed to be discussed, and so we did that here."
"You could've brought him to the Tower, Cap." Tony noted. "Pretty sure whatever you were discussing you could've shared with the rest of the team."
"Except I'm not an Avenger, not anymore, as you've successfully made it clear to me." Peter noted, as he moved from behind Steve. "But I won't debate that one here, or with you. I've said my piece to Cap, and I don't have the time nor patience to deal with you, Stark. Cap, see you around." And with a single powerful leap, Spider-Man changed into his costume and swung away, leaving two of the central Avengers standing on the grounds of their old base.
"So how much did he ask for him to forgive you?" Tony asked of Steve.
"Only a handshake." Steve said, with Tony letting out a chuckle in disbelief.
"Wait, you are actually serious?" Tony asked, before seeing Steve's serious expression. "Oh, so you can get away with a handshake, while I pay millions, and all I get is a pass for looking after him? Talk about bias…"
"You spied on him, Tony." Steve stated, knowing of what Tony actually did. "And aside from that one, you were the one to kill him in the Fisk Tower."
"And look how it made his life better overall." Tony said in a sarcastic tone, before getting serious. "You know I did try to apologize. Offered him a place in Stark Industries and everyone he could dream of, and you know what he did?"
"He turned you down." Steve answered, as he moved to the exit off the grounds.
"Yeah, only to now run an evil corporation started by his worst nemesis." Tony remarked, as he moved with Steve. "I mean, how can he even stand being associated with all that blood and dirt, after all that Goblin and Octavius did to him?"
"Is that a concerned friend, or a slighted businessman speaking in you, Tony?" Steve asked of him with an accused tone towards Stark. "I know what exactly you were going to offer to him, Tony, and I honestly expected better from you. Using his old girlfriend to try and manipulate him… This is the kind of stuff I would expect Justin Hammer to do, not you."
"I wasn't trying to manipulate anyone, Steve, and it's not my fault that Mary Jane has all the credentials for being a good assistant to me." Tony defended himself. "Besides, even if I did try and have him working for me, would it really be so bad for Peter? He could put his talents to good use, and be happy with his one true love…"
"We do not play with others' lives and destinies, Tony, just because we think we know better." Steve stated to Tony with a cold tone, making him stop in his tracks. "I suggest you drop this line of thinking, and recall against whom Avengers stand. I will see you in the Tower." And with this, Steve Rogers easily leapt over the closed gates and moved to his bike, leaving Tony alone.
"Oh if only you knew, Steve…" And at that moment, Tony suddenly received one message, he didn't expect to get. "Well… Speak of the devil." And with that said, Tony Stark departed from his mansion to attend one meeting that he could not miss, no matter what.
Sometime later.
Swinging through the city towards his next destination of the day, Peter took a moment to think of how he believed had managed to get accustomed to his new life, specifically the part of being the CEO of Alchemax. Tony Stark always made it look so easy and there was a time when Peter thought that it really was easy, but it was before he learned that the real power behind the throne of Stark Industries was Pepper Potts, who, at times literally, held together the massive company, while Tony was busy with his own heroics and other business. There was a time when Iron Man and Tony Stark were an example to be followed for Peter, an ideal to aspire to, but that was in the past, and now he represented what not to be towards the people and the company that is under his control.
Alchemax Corporation really did require direction and a head to lead it, if only to stop it from being splintered and destroyed by its own shareholders, various divisions and subsidiaries. The Board itself was divided and ready to tear each other apart, and only held together by the fear of being absorbed into another conglomerate or corporation and stripped of all the privileges and power. Peter's arrival into the company and his announcement of the new policies revitalized the corporation, and his actual pursuit of those policies won Alchemax the trust of the people, and many potential clients. As it turned out, Peter's transparency in work and uncompromising approach to work attracted to him attention of those that previously flocked to Stark, Roxxon and several others.
They were either expanding their work, or looking for alternatives to what they saw as unstable and discredited companies, and thanks to that, Alchemax secured half a dozen valuable contracts in various fields, which put Peter's company in the leading positions of business world, now standing tall with other giants. Peter didn't forget his agenda, and did everything he could to clean up Alchemax of all questionable and clandestine operations and divisions, like with Chandler's work. He had suspected that Norman and Harry had no qualms about what to research and fund, as well as who to work with, but even he was surprised by what he had discovered in his "witch hunt." AIM, Hydra, Weapon Plus, Maggia- those were the big names that he discovered associated with his corporation through various divisions, subsidiaries and more. Naturally, he cut off all the connections and work with them, as well as sending SHIELD after them, while also cleaning up the staff.
All of that Peter had managed to do in a month's time, and none of that could've been possible without the help of Felicia, Lydia and his family, even those that weren't connected to the business. Without their support, Peter felt like he would've gone mad with all of the work, but their support and help were invaluable to him. Now that the critical time was in the past and his corporation was in calm waters, Peter could breathe easier and actually spend more time with his family, especially Felicity, whom he felt he had been giving a less attention than she deserved, due to his work and heroics. Of course he always found time to spend with Felicity each and every day, but knowing he had not been for Felicia and Felicity all those years, Peter cannot help but want to be with his daughter as much as possible.
And then there was also the fact that they have still not told about their actual relation, and while Peter respected Felicia and Lydia's insistence on keeping the secret and slowly getting to know Felicity and growing close with her, Parker felt that the time for that serious talk was approaching, and as nervous as he should've felt, he also sensed that once he told her the truth, things would simply get easier. Maybe he would do so today, Peter thought, as he finally reached his destination, which was a park near the mansion he lived with everyone. Changing back into his normal everyday clothes away from everyone's eyes, Peter made his way to the trio of ladies that were waiting for him, with ice cream in hands already.
"Uncle Peter!" Felicity called out with a happy smile, waving her hand to him, as he ran up to her, kneeling and kissing her forehead. "You all done with work?" Peter smiled to Felicity.
"Yup, all done for today and tomorrow, so I'm all yours, Princess." Peter joked, as Felicity smiled, as he rose up, meeting the gazes of Jessica and Gwen, who were accompanying Felicity today. "Hey, don't I get any?" Peter asked with a joking pout, as he noticed their own ice creams in their hands.
"You are late, so no ice cream for you. But maybe if you ask really nicely…" Jessica said in teasing tone, before all chuckled at that. "What kept you? You said you were going to check up on Miles and come here right away."
"I did intend to do that, but then I ran into the Cap." Peter said, with Jess and Gwen looking at him with concern. "It all went well. We've talked and he asked for forgiveness, and… Well, I forgave him, given all that has happened between us, so we are good."
"That's good to hear." Jess said to him with a smile, before producing from her back another cone and giving it to Peter. "And here is the reward." She said, before moving together across the park, enjoying the weather and overall, good day.
"Ah, so good to get out of the Mansion and just stretch my legs." Gwen said, as took in the deep breath, before adding. "Without the masks and web slinging, though that is also awesome."
"No denying that." Jess noted, before adding. "Though I did notice you never really going out on walks or that kind." Jessica said, having noticed that all her free time, Gwen spent indoors.
"I never really liked walking around alone, and with me having been "in coma," so long, I've kinda fallen out of touch with pretty much everyone I knew." Gwen remarked, as she licked her ice cream. "And I'm not staying cooped up in the mansion all the free time. Pete and I've been catching up on what we've missed out, like everyone else in the home." Gwen remarked.
"Fair point." Jess said, as she took a small bite of her ice cream, before turning to Peter. "So, how's the kid doing?"
"Better, though he is still unconscious. They've flushed out the radiation and healed most of the burns and such, but he'll be in there for a while longer." Peter said with a sigh, before recalling something he heard not too long ago. "His "friend" will be getting a reduced sentence, apparently."
"She made a plea for cooperation?" Jess asked, with Peter nodding to that. "At least Krieger and his Nuform won't be getting no second chances or anything. Speaking of which, how did you dispose of that stuff?"
"Wasn't me who dealt with it, but Bruce." Peter said, as he licked his ice cream. "As far as I know, he managed to find a way to either transport that anti-matter back to its own reality, or accelerate its dissipation. Either way, it is now gone, and I'm all the happier for it, though I did hear Richards raised a fuss about it."
"What's his problem? He examined that thing too and should've known that the stuff is poisonous and unstable." Gwen commented. "We've got enough dangerous stuff in our universe, why add something else from another to that mix?"
"That's the thing about Reed Richards: he's a scientist, and to the extreme, at least how I think. Sometimes, I get the feeling that he doesn't really consider all the potential consequences of his actions, like with travelling alternate dimensions, studying them all and all that." Peter said. "Maybe that's just me being too small-minded to comprehend it all, but I doubt that his incursions into the other dimensions and universes are as harmless as he may think. And as for his fuss about Nuform, according to Daisy, he claimed that we should study it more, or rather, he should. Honestly, I think he just wanted to get into the dimension that stuff was from in the first place, probably because he grew bored with the Negative Zone."
"How can someone grow bored with an entire dimension made up of anti-matter?" Gwen remarked, as they sat down on the benches. "It might just be me, but I get the feeling like the man doesn't know when to stop."
"You are not the only one. SHIELD's of the same opinion, hence why he is on their special watch list." Jessica noted, recalling the fact from her time in the agency. "Along with Stark, Banner and all the other big time geniuses, who spend more time making new things, instead of considering whether they should or should not do it."
"Let's hope I do not become like that." Peter said, before Felicity spoke up.
"Uncle Peter, why don't you want to be like Reed Richards and Tony Stark?" Felicity asked, as she looked up with curiosity. "I saw on TV and they are super smart and super rich. You are also super smart and super rich too, so why not be like them?" She asked, with Peter smiling and petting her head.
"You see, Felicity, being smart and able to make new things doesn't simply mean you can do it. You also have to think about what would happen if you did make something new, and whether it would be good or bad. And then there's also the fact you shouldn't put yourself over others." Peter explained to Felicity, who didn't quite understand what he meant. "When I was younger, I looked up to both Reed and Tony, but that was before I got to know them better, and after I did… I found out that they think they know everything better than everyone else, and sometimes they decide to do things their own way. Things that are do not have right to, but they believe is for the greater good."
"But, if it is for bigger good, it is good for everyone, right?" Felicity asked, with Peter sighing and continuing to explain.
"No, not when it goes against the choices of others, or takes away freedom and choice from other people." Peter said, before adding. "Felicity, the world isn't all good or bad, black or white, and it's not easy to explain in one sentence. Being good is not always easy, and some people think that they can do more good their own way, even if others disagree with them. Sometimes they are right, but other times they end up making more bad for others and themselves in the end. Reed and Tony are that way, because they do not always think things through, or look at it all from different sides?"
"Different sides?" Felicity asked, before adding. "Like… Think of it as if you were a different person?" Peter smiled and nodded.
"That's right, Felicity." Peter answered.
"So, if you want to do something, you should think about others, if it will be good for them or not?" Felicity said, with Peter nodding. "Do you do that, Uncle Peter?"
"I do, or at least I try to so." Peter told Felicity, before deciding to shift the topic. "How do you like the ice cream?"
"It's tasty!" Felicity assured, eating her, before she suddenly stopped, seemingly freezing in place, surprising and worrying Peter and others.
"Felicity?" Peter asked, with Felicity seemingly snapping out of her trance. "Honey, are you okay?" He asked with worry, with Felicity nodding.
"I am. Uncle Peter, there is a woman, watching us from over there." Felicity said, pointing with her finger to a patch shrubbery and trees some distance away, with others looking to that direction with concern and questions in their eyes.
"Um, Felicity, are you sure there's someone in there?" Gwen asked, with the girl nodding. "But, I don't see anyone there…"
"It is some distance off for us to properly see, and a good cover to stay hidden." Jessica said, already analyzing the situation, before turning to Peter, who had a look of determination on his face, before he spoke up.
"She's not wrong, there is someone." Peter said, as his Spider Sense did inform him that there was someone in there, but it wasn't someone threatening to them. "Felicity, please stay with aunties Jessica and Gwen. I'll go and see who it is." Peter said, and then made his way to that place, rounding the possible line of sight, before finding himself behind the shrubbery and trees, and seeing the woman, which surprised him.
"May?" Peter called out to her, with May Parker stiffening, as she turned around and looked at Peter with shock. "What… What are you doing?" Peter asked of her directly, surprised to see her after such a long time, though a part of him was also glad to do so, another, greater part, was feeling quite defensive.
"Peter, I… I was just…" May stammered, trying to find the right excuse, with Peter already figuring that out.
"Just casually stalking me and my daughter?" Peter asked with a neutral, yet steely tone, with May remaining silent and turning away from his gaze, before he let out a sigh. "How did you find me?" Peter asked of May.
"I had help, from someone." May simply replied, with Peter quickly going through the possible variants of who it was. "Peter, I… I did not mean to do it. I just wanted to finally meet you, to talk to you, but then I saw your daughter and… I-Is that Gwen Stacy with her?" May immediately asked, trying to derail this talk, before the girl in question actually appeared near Peter, shocking May.
"May? May Parker?" Gwen asked in surprised. "Um, hello… It has been a long time."
"Gwen? I-is that really you?" May asked of the blonde girl, who nodded. "B-but how is this possible? You… You died. That horrible man, Osborn, he… He murdered you."
"He… He almost did, but I survived, though barely. I've been put in coma and only came out of it a month or so ago." Gwen responded, using the legend that SHIELD created for her. "My survival was kept a secret from all, out of concern for my safety. I'm sorry for making you worry, May." Gwen apologized, with May shaking her head.
"No, it is… It is alright. I'm just surprised and glad to see you, but what are you doing here, with Peter and... Who is that woman?" May asked of Peter, who wasn't so easily taken aback.
"May, please, answer my question." Peter asked of her with politeness, yet also steel. "Who helped you find me?"
"Someone who cares about you, Peter." May simply responded, before Peter spoke up.
"I am going to assume that it was Mary Jane who told you where to find me." The look on May's face was all the answers Peter needed. "So I thought. I know Felicity did not tell you where we lived, despite the frequent meetings you had." May was surprised to hear of Peter knowing about it all.
"You knew?" She asked of him, with Peter nodding.
"Of course I knew, she told me of her plan before she even called you the first time." Peter surprised May, before letting out a sigh. "I was opposed to the idea of the two of you meeting, but she convinced me to let her do it, and she's been laying the groundwork between the two of us this whole time, so I know it wasn't her who told you where to find us. So it had to be Mary Jane, with her new connections, thanks to Tony Stark." Peter guessed correctly, and May let out a sigh of confirmation.
"She did. I have been asking Felicia to tell me where you and how to get to you, but she refused. She said you weren't ready to see me." May said with clear irritation. "I did not believe her. It sounded to me like she was keeping you all to herself and just playing with me."
"She wasn't playing with you, May. Never did or intended to." Peter defended Felicia, before letting out a sigh. "I just… I have had a very rough and busy time with everything that has happened. I… I'm sorry I didn't call or come by, May." Peter said in an apologetic tone.
"Peter, I know that what I said was wrong, and I am sorry for it, for not believing you and… And not seeing that it wasn't you." May said with an apologetic tone. "I… I know you were hurt, hurt badly, Peter, with all that had happened, but we… I want to help you, Peter. Please, my boy, come home with me, so we can…" At that point Peter interrupted May
"I know, May, and I am grateful, but… This is where my place is now, my family." Peter said, with May looking at him with disbelief. "I have a daughter, May, one that I love and care for. I can't and won't abandon her, so I'm sorry, but I'm not going anywhere."
"I… I understand." May said, with Peter hoping she understood, until May continued. "That Felicia is using her to keep you to herself, but this is not right, Peter." Peter and Gwen looked at May with incredulity.
"What… What are you talking about, May?" Gwen asked of her. "Felicia isn't using her daughter to keep Peter. You should know better than that, I mean, you've met and talked with her so…"
"I know, and I also know that she is a manipulative and scheming woman, one who uses all the means she can to get what she wants." May said, as she turned to shocked Peter. "Peter, you are good man, and I know you can't abandon your daughter, but this doesn't have to be this way. I'm sure that you can win the rights to her in court, if you…" Peter shook his head at what he heard.
"May… What the hell are you even talking about?" Peter asked of her in direct language, with his anger barely in check.
"Peter, my boy, I know this may seem cruel, but that woman simply took advantage of you. Please, Mary Jane told me all about you and her, and your relations and… And about the masks." That one comment was enough to freeze Peter in one place, while Gwen looked at May with shock. "Peter… I know you are Spider-Man, and she is that thief, Black Cat."
"You… You know?" He asked in a hushed tone, with May nodding.
"Yes. Mary Jane, when I came to her, she… She told me everything, showed me the evidence and… I… I now understand it all, why you were doing this and what has really been happening to you." May told him, with Peter still processing the fact that May knew everything now. "You are a hero, Peter, but this… This isn't right, and you need to come with me. I'm sure your friends will help you and…"
"What friends are you talking about, May?" Gwen asked, getting defensive too after all she heard. "What did Mary Jane tell you? That Tony Stark and the Avengers will help Peter get better? Or that Felicia's using Felicity to blackmail him, or tie him to herself? And… And you actually believe that?! May… Don't you know Peter?!" Gwen asked in shocked tone at the implications.
"I know Peter, better than anyone, and I know that he is a good boy, and that he has been hurt and doesn't understand all that is going on." May said, as she turned and moved closer to Peter, before being stopped by Gwen, putting herself between him and May. "Peter, please, my boy, I only want what is best for you. Please, come with me and…"
"Peter, Gwen, what's going… on?" Felicia Hardy, who had arrived a few moments ago, joined them, along with Jessica and Felicity, with a look of surprise and shock on her face at the sight before her. "May? What… What are you doing here?" At that moment May turned and glared at Felicia, who instinctively put herself between May and Felicity.
"I am trying to get my nephew see reason. Did you think that you could play me as you liked, you thieving cat?" May practically spat that out, with Felicia and Jessica's eyes widening in shock, before Gwen confirmed their worst fear.
"She knows. Watson told her." Gwen said, before turning to May. "May, you should leave. Please, do not make this…"
"I am not leaving, not without my nephew." May stated, before she turned to Peter. "Peter, please, come with me. I know you care about your daughter, but how can you even be sure she is even yours, when that thief has lied to you so many times?" The words that may spoke were enough to snap Peter out of the shock and his anger start to rise, before all seemed to freeze, as Felicity spoke up.
"Uncle Peter?" Felicity asked in confusion, looking from behind her mother. "Why… Why does this lady call me your daughter?" Felicity asked, with May immediately speaking up.
"Because you are, or at least that's how she claims." May pointed to Felicia, with Felicity looking up in confusion and unable to understand what was happening.
"M-mommy… Is uncle Peter… M-my daddy?" Felicity asked with tears in her eyes of Felicia, who had no choice but to speak up in that moment, as she knelt to her daughter, with Peter moving closer to them, while Jessica glared at May and moved to comfort her
"You are leaving, now." Jessica stated to May in a tone that did not leave any room for negotiation. "And if you whisper one damn word to anyone about Peter, Felicia or anything that redhead told you, Peter's aunt or not, they will never find your body." Jessica stated, her anger in full display, with May genuinely feeling scared that moment, and decided to relent, with Gwen seeing her off, while Peter and his family were left with a difficult situation to deal with.
Sometime later. Lydia Hardy's mansion.
"And that's… That's the gist of it all." Jessica finished telling to Kaine, Ben, Madelyne and Jean what had happened in the park, before letting out a hard sigh.
"Fuck…" Was all that Kaine could muster to comment the situation. "I knew that May wouldn't take the situation well, but this… What the hell did Watson fill her head with?"
"Nothing good, she probably just told the poor woman her version of the story, and she believed every word…" Gwen stated. "She's always looked kindly upon Mary Jane, even when I was around the first time, and I remember hearing all the positives about Mary Jane and such… But to go to such lengths, and to reveal to Felicity the truth like that…" Gwen was at a loss for words at that one.
"Yeah, normally I'd defend May, but this… Something is definitely wrong, and I don't with whom, her or Mary Jane." Ben said, as he shook his head. "Of all the people, Mary Jane knows the most what the secret identity means to us, to Peter, and to reveal it to May… God what a mess."
"How is Felicity?" Madelyne asked.
"Confused, doesn't know what just happened and or what to think. She ran straight to her room after they returned." Gwen said. "Felicia and Peter went to her, so let's hope it all goes well… Maddie, Jean, can you two use your powers to locate someone specific?" Maddie and Jean exchanged looks, before the latter responded.
"Yes, through telepathy, but… Are you asking us to erase May's knowledge of what had happened?" Jean asked of Gwen.
"What? No, I… Ugh, that does sound tempting, but it world make things a lot worse in the long run." Gwen said as she shook her head.
"It probably would, but I can't say the idea isn't all that unappealing to us." Maddie admitted, with Jean agreeing with her. "But if you want, we can find someone through telepathy, or through my spells. Who exactly do you need?" Madelyne asked, already having an idea as to who she is interested in.
"Felicity, it's Mommy and… and Peter." Felicia knocked on the door of their daughter with Peter. "May we come in?" She asked, without getting any answer, with Peter deciding to try.
"Felicity, please… We just want to explain everything to you." Peter asked of her. "I… Mommy and I, we did not want to hurt you with this. I know this sounds weird and strange, Felicity, but we both love you, and we wish and want the best for you. Please, can we come in?" Peter asked again, and this time, there was a click on the door, and as it opened, out stepped Felicity, with streaks of tears on her cheeks, as she looked up at her parents.
"Are you my daddy?" Felicity asked of Peter immediately.
"Yes, Felicity. I am your father." Peter confirmed it, with Felicity turning to Felicia.
"Why… Why was he not with us, Mommy?" Felicity asked of her, before she turned to Peter. "Did… Did you leave me and Mommy?" Both of the parents knelt before Felicity, to be on her level.
"No, sweetie, Peter did not leave us. I… When I knew I would have you, I moved away from here, without telling him about you." Felicia revealed to her daughter. "Peter… Your daddy did not know about you, until you the two of you met. When you were still inside me, Peter and I were not together, and I thought he would be better without me, so I did not tell him of you and raised you alone. I… I am sorry, Felicity, I… I know I have taken away your father from you." Felicia said with clearest regret and shame in her voice and expression, with Felicity seeing it, before she turned to Peter.
"If… If you knew about me then, w-would… Would you love me?" Felicity asked of him in a vulnerable tone on the verge of tears, with Peter immediately answering.
"Yes, I would love you, as much as I love you right now, Felicity, and not a moment goes by that I regret not knowing that all this time, I've had such a wonderful and beautiful daughter." Peter responded to her. "Your mother loves you more than anything, and I did not want to her or you, so we agreed not to tell you this immediately. I wanted you to first get to know me, Felicity, to become your friend first… I was afraid to hurt you with the knowledge that I'm your father, because... Because I was not there for you, you and Felicia when I should've been, and I am sorry, I…" Peter could not put it into words, but Felicity, though still a five-year old girl, could clearly see what her parents meant and felt… and simply moved to hug them both, surprising them, but immediately hugging her back.
"Uncle Peter… Can I call you Daddy?" Felicity asked, with Peter smiling and answering.
"Of course, sweetheart." Peter told her, happy to hear his daughter finally call him daddy, despite all the bad things that have happened today.
Undisclosed location.
Landing outside of the long abandoned building, Tony Stark removed his visor and moved inside, confident that no one could ever trace or even find him here, or what he was doing at this very moment. This was one of the locations agreed upon by him and his secret compatriots, where they could meet and talk privately and without anyone listening in, and they only met when the matters concerned not just them, but entire world and more. The very existence of this select group of individuals was kept a secret from everyone, even their closest ones, for they were ones who made the hardest calls and ensured that in the long run, no matter what, Earth was safe and sound, and that the world they treasured was there.
Moving inside, Tony soon arrived in the place of their meeting, where he found all other members already present.
"You are late." Namor, King of Atlantis and First Mutant, stated with annoyance to Stark, as he took his seat at the table.
"Sorry, haven't yet installed a teleporter in my suit. Plus, I've got to keep up appearances." Tony responded, with Namor letting out an annoyed huff. "After all, the whole point is not give away the existence of our little book club." Tony said, as he looked to his left, seeing the Black Bolt, King of the Inhumans silently observing them all
"True, though our "book club" doesn't meat as regularly as our respective teams, and we did agree on punctuality being key." Charles Xavier responded, before he turned to another member of their group. "All are present and who they are."
"Yes, I confirm so too, and none know of us or our meeting in here." Doctor Steven Strange stated. "Now then, I believe we can begin in full. I believe we have all gotten the message… and what we found was most troubling."
"Yeah, hence why I was late. I've had to go through all of my security and locks to confirm if that was true." Tony said, before he turned to the one who called this meeting. "Now, Reed, care to explain to us exactly what had happened?" Tony and all others turned to Reed Richards.
"There was an… incursion into Baxter Building, by three previously unknown assailants." Reed began.
"An incursion?" Charles Xavier asked. "Yet there was no alarm sounded, and I doubt anyone could have made it inside your building without you knowing."
"There was no alarm, because it and none of the sensors were able to react fast enough to their appearance." Reed stated, gaining the curiosity of all. "Because the moment they appeared, time itself had been stopped in that very moment for all, safe for me and those three."
"Time was frozen? For the entire world?" Namor asked with doubt. "How is that even possible?"
"I've sensed no magic of such kind being at play." Strange responded. "Chronomancy is easily detectable, and yet I did not sense it at play."
"There are no mutant that could do something like that." Charles stated.
"Maybe now, but they were here, a few hours ago… And they are all mutants, each with powers beyond those Omega level." Reed Richards stated. "And they now have the Gauntlet… And all six Infinity Stones…"
Well, looks like things are now picking up the pace, as a new big arc is coming up, and Spider-Man will have the biggest role to play in it. Also, yeah, Aunt May is definitely not fully right in the head, or rather, she's listening to some seriously bad advice.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter and leave a comment about it, future events, a question or something else you wish to share.
Nest time: Illuminati and their choice.
See ya!