I think I am long overdue for updating this fic as it was last updated last year...
For those who haven't clicked the x on the screen, the black button or turned off your device all together in outrage over my awful joke then I hope you enjoy this.
"Sk'ym'x... I can't say that we were ever close... Still as the only other alien founding member of the Squadron, we had that to bond and he was the first other being from another world that I had met... It was through him that I learned that my species were called Eternals... To think that I lost a once close ally... Feels like I lost my parents who raised me all over again..." Hyperion sighed in an interview studio looking to the camera.
"...Losing touch with him after he retired... To think that he was murdered in close blood to send a message..." Zarda spoke in the same interview chair with her arms to the side looking down shaking her head.
Ledger was now in the interview chair with his mask off to reveal his black hair; "I was probably the founding Squadron Supreme member who was closest to the Skymaster... It was thanks to him that I got this..." edger said as he showed off the Power Prism on his wrist. "Ever since I could remember I always wanted to go out to space... The Air Force helped me on the path and I was put on this project investigating this oncoming cosmic storm. I had a late night meeting at the station when the lead scientist a guy called Richards and 3 cohorts broke in to steal the spaceship and start an unauthorised expedition to the storm... I managed to get on just in time but they got lucky and I was knocked out... I awakened when the storm was making the shuttle malfunction and I was sent out and I almost died if it wasn't for Sk'ym'x... He gave me the Power Prism a powerful energy source and we then went down to Earth to find that Hyperion had engaged Richards and his 'Frightful Four'... Their shuttle had crashed and the storm transformed them into monstrous villains. That was my first time meeting Hyperion and I began training to use the Power Prism as Doctor Spectrum; we formed the Squadron Supreme not long after..." Ledger then continued and then he looked angry. "Whoever did this to my friend will pay..." Ledger swore.
Peter felt tense as he was sitting in the living room of his apartment watching a Remembering Skrullian Skymaster TV special days after his death was reported to the news; interviews with those that knew Sk'ym'x including 5 of the other founding Squadron Supreme members. It was hard trying to keep silent about this and not draw attention to himself even as the authorities put out statements asking for information.
"To think that this had to happen just as you joined up yourself... How do you think that they pulled it off? Took the fellow off guard; I imagine years retired made him rusty..." May was asking Peter as she was in her seat looking aghast at that which made Peter feel worse. "Are you alright Peter... If those responsible comes for you then I am sure that you have nothing to worry about... You are a fresh young active hero in your prime who can take anything thrown at you..." May told Peter assuringly as he smiled.
"You think that you can tell your old Aunt how the Squadron is like?" May then asked as Peter choose his words carefully and thought what to do.
"Well... Nighthawk doesn't really like me..." Peter muttered and May glared at the mention of him; already knowing about his warning made after Gwen's funeral.
"He is just jealous that you are giving this city a friendly face to look upon after they are saved from the criminals that stalks the night; bringing comfort to the people rather than just focus on terrorising criminals." May then told him as Peter sighed. "What about Hyperion and Power Princess... You're favourites..." May asked and Peter gulped as he never really told her about what had really happened with him and the Hulk those years ago and May was terrified to see that he was there in the area with the Hulk fighting Hyperion. She was upset and worried but Peter assured her that it was alright and he told her that Hyperion sent Hulk away to get help.
Not wanting to share what actually happened.
"Haven't got a chance to talk much with Hyperion but Zarda has been encouraging to me and we sparred a bit..." Peter replied and May smirked at that.
"First name basis already? Is the Power Princess taken by that Parker charm that draw me towards Ben?" May asked as Peter gave her a look. They then heard something and Peter saw that it was coming from the communication device from the Squadron. "You're needed Peter; better not keep them waiting..." May told him as Peter then said goodbye to her. He saw that the device had a message to come to the Daily Bugle Communication building for his first official interview as a member of the Squadron Supreme.
Peter sighed as he went into his room to change into his Spider-Man suit and got his stuff in a bag to sneak through his window.
The Nightcave and Richmond in full Nighthawk suit was busy on his computer; "Master Kyle sir; the LMD is still in Washington attending to your scheduled meeting with President Kelly. Seems that the machine does spends more time as Kyle Richmond than you do now sir." spoke an elderly man in a suit; Edwin Jarvis his family butler who attends to his family manor with him staying in Washington (officially) as a congressman as well as looks after the Nightcave.
"This work is important... I am looking over all of my files on both Peter Parker and Spider-Man... It is obviously not a coincidence that I sent the Skrullian Skymaster to keep an eye out on Spider-Man and he ended up death. I need to find what he is up to and bring him to justice." Richmond then told Jarvis who batted an eye.
"Sir; are you sure that you're not taking this too personally... Putting all this blame and anger onto Spider-Man over what happened to Gwen since you are unable to get your hands on the actual culprit... That you should have been the one to have that final confrontation with your nemesis?" Jarvis asked as Richmond bluntly ignored him. "Well sir; this should be relevant to your case but Spider-Man is going to be on a live interview with Daily Bugle Communications soon..." Jarvis told him as this got Richmond to get up to follow him up to the main manor.
Peter had swung to the DBC building and waited at the front door wondering if he should just go in as he was never really invited somewhere as Spider-Man for an interview. "Look there's Spider-Man! Can we get a picture?" asked an onlooker excitedly as PEter got a crowd going towards him.
"Yeah sure..." Peter said as he posed for the pictures and then he saw that there was Hill at the front door motioning him inside. Peter then followed her as she looked stern.
"I hope that you can keep a better head about this and don't take any frustrations out on the reporters; remember that the the Bugle is owned by the President's Press Secretary who wasn't too fond of masked vigilante 'menaces' in his home city." Hill told him as Peter sighed as he knew about the crusade Jameson had done against Nighthawk.
He was shown to an interview room where there were seats with Hyperion and Zarda already sitted down. He took his seat and looked nervous which was noticed by Hyperion and Zarda. "Try and keep your head up high and don't panic too much if you get asked a question that you don't like or don't know how to answer. Just relax and think over what you want to say." Hyperion told Peter as his eyes widened at Hyperion's words. "I remember my first public appearance when Mr Stark's father showed me to the world. How hard it was answering the questions from the press and being expected to be the next Captain America." Hyperion told him softly as Peter realised that he was trying to help him with advice.
"Thanks..." Peter muttered to his childhood idol as then came the reporter Eddie Brock causing Peter to groan. They sat down as they sat the cameras rolling.
"Eddie Brock here reporting for DBC and I have here 3 members of the Squadron Supreme themselves... The Sentinel of Liberty himself Hyperion, Power Princess and the newcomer Spider-Man.. Spidey, sorry if we got on the wrong foot." Brock then told them as Peter did his best to shrug. "So Spider-Man; what's it like going up from stopping runaway cars and getting cats out of trees and going to the big leagues?" Brock ended up asking as Peter coughed and thought it over.
"Well... Feels nice but I'm a guy for New York and when someone here needs my help then they get it." Peter ended up saying as Brock raised an eyebrow.
"That is pretty commendable; there are always the small stuff to take care off down in the streets so that they don't become big stuff. No reason for him to quit the street level stuff just because he is with us now; I am sure that my good friend Nighthawk will agree." Hyperion then said taking in and Peter felt grateful at the moment.
"Always need to help those in need Eddie; I was there to FEAST to help take care of those endangering the poor and helpless but Spidey here had it taken care of before I had even arrived. Will be an honour to work with him." Zarda then said as Peter felt more relaxed.
"Spidey... Can I ask how you got your powers..." Brock then asked as Peter coughed.
"Bit personal and we haven't even had dinner yet..." Peter joked as Brock frowned and there was snickering from the camera crew. "Well... I was visiting a science exhibition at this lab and a spider test subject escaped and bit me... No idea what happened to it but I got these powers and I made my webs and my web-shooters." Peter then answered as Brock then nodded.
"As I understand it; you started off as a street performer before going to street level vigilantism? Not going for an agent or trying to join a team like the New Warriors?" Brock asked and Peter sighed thinking of how excited he was after mastering his powers and getting his suit and equipment ready; wanting to try and be a superhero after being mocked as a nerdy loser most of his life.
"Yeah.. I wanted to show off what I could do and see if I could get an agent or something... One day not long afterwards; I found a store being robbed and I was scared and thought why not try and wait until I am ready.. Someone died in there trying to talk down the robbers.. They escaped and I went in and noticed... Someone close to me had been that.. I chased the robbers and brought them to the police and knew that I had great power and had to use it responsibly... Make sure that no one else gets hurt by my inaction..." Peter said as Zarda looked at him wide eyed as Hyperion frowned.
"Well thank you all for your time." Brock then said as the cameras stopped rolling as Brock went to get Peter's hand to shake. "Really went all out on the melodramatic backstory.." Brock laughed as Peter's eyes widened and he ended up shaking Brock's quite hard causing him to yell in pain. Brock then glared at Peter who waved at him mockingly as he walked away holding his hurt hand.
Hill was nearby and didn't look impressed but there was Stark there smirking. "Hyperion..." Stark then said holding up his hand for a high five as Hyperion nodded at him and then he faced Zarda who glared harshly at him. "Zarda." Stark said as Zarda just walked off without a word.
"After all these years she can never really lighten up around me... You know I was only 9 when I first met her when my old man forgot that my babysitter up and quit on him until it was too late to find a replacement so he had to bring me to work. I saw Zarda's ass in that leotard and I acted as any kid going through puberty did and gave it a smack... I think that moment has tainted her view on me to this very day..." Stark told him as Peter stared as Stark had his arm around his shoulder. "But you did great kid... I see this as the start of a big career for you working with Stark Industries and the Squadron Supreme... licensed toys, comics and I am sure that we can get you at least 8 movies... You ever saw Evil Dead as I am sure that Raimi would be interested in directing for you... Plus the spinoff ideas I have for the movies if it goes well... I am envisioning a big time video game tie in for you as well on the Playstation!" Stark told Peter as he felt overwhelmed by this.
"Leave the newcomer alone Mr Stark; he is still just got here..." Zarda told Stark coming over shaking her head as Stark then left Peter alone and walked away. "Remember my advice from before and you should be okay Spidey..." Zarda told him as he sighed. "If you want to hang out at some point without the suits then how about bowling..." Zarda suggested to Peter who was interested in that.
Peter got home and was in his bed when he ended up finding his phone texting him. He answered it and it was from an unknown number and it said to look out the window. He saw a van and nervously exitted through the window after changing into his clothes and ran down the wall.
He got to the back of the van and opened it up to reveal Fury, and Castle with Coulson in the driver's seat as he started driving. "So newbie... How is the Squadron... Have you gave yourself away..." Fury then asked Peter and he shook his head.
"Fine... I don't think anyone suspects and Hyperion and Zarda were trying to help me through my interview today." Peter said as there was frowns at him using the first name of Zarda.
"Trust me kid; they are not your friends and you are better off not getting too attached to any 'friendships' you make in the Squadron. They are basically all wolves in sheep's clothing trust us." Fury told him as he then passed him a black bodysuit and a mask. "So no one sees you in your first mission with us now properly as a member. When you are with us don't try and fight like a spider and no webs." Fury then warned him as Peter then quickly changed with them not noticing.
"So Fury... Can I ask... Is this a government thing or something?" Peter ended up deciding to ask as Coulson looked at him.
"Unofficially backed by the CIA with resources; the director wants this to be an off the books unit and trusts us to be out of her chain of command. She sees that the government has basically been overtaken by the Stark family's superhero empire through all of these years. Sure Cap was lost and Power Princess had gone into hiding but even before Hyperion was revealed; there were still the smaller scale ones that they managed and promoted before the big ones came back." Coulson then informed Peter and sighed. "We were recruited from the US military... Colonel Fury and me... Officially we were KIA years ago... Don't ask further..." Coulson explained as Peter took this in.
"So your unofficial benefactor wants to free the government from Mr Stark's strings?" Peter asked raising an eyebrow as Fury then smirked at him.
"You are getting it kid; he already has a lot of influence with the President and and Stark is pretty much friends with the Secretary of Defence. I bet he has big plans for you considering he went all the trouble of anonymously hiring the criminals that attacked FEAST..." Fury then said as Peter took this in.
"Okay... WHAT?" Peter yelled as Fury looked at him.
"Did you think that it was a little bit odd that Stark came to your home to offer you a place and then afterwards your aunt's workplace was attacked to draw you out and Power Princess was sent to help out and Mr Stark himself showed up..." Coulson asked Peter and he hated how suspicious it sounded.
"I am sure that Zarda wasn't involved..." Peter muttered as they shook their heads.
"Naïve little kid..." Castle muttered.
"Ignore that or now as we are going to San Francisco..." Coulson said as Peter was wondering where they were going.
As if reading his mind Fury then asked "Tell me Parker, have you heard of Ant Man and the Wasp?" Fury asked and Peter nodded thinking it over.
"They were heroes during the Cold War and were married... Ant Man started the Ultron project but it turned into a monstrous genocidal robot and his life fell apart... Wasp married Howard Stark for a time... Ant Man goes by Yellowjacket I think when he appears to help out with the Squadron..." Peter answered and Fury looked more serious as Ultron was brought up.
"Well glad that you know; we are breaking into Hank Pym's workplace to steal the Ant Man suit." Fury then told Peter as his eyes widened.
Yes the origin of the Fantastic Four in this verse ended badly as once they got to Earth they would not have been able to get enough hold of their new powers long enough for them to not be seen as monsters by the people and thus Hyperion took care of them. Spoilers but this will be coming back to them at some point...