Saving the World, Saving Hearts

Chapter 31 of my crossover story, enjoy.

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Boris Yeltsin: Thanks.
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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Stranger Things, Marvel or their characters.

The Truth

Eddie sighed, biting his lip as he tried to avoid his dads eyes. He was afraid they'd be disappointed in him for keeping such a secret from them, even if he had good reasons to do so. If he had looked however, he would have seen Dustin and Lucas were actually looking at their son in amazement. Jane and Max were clearly still trying to wrap their heads around Terry being one of the Avengers, although Jane was less surprised than Max, due to her own powers. Erica as well as Holly's husband Dylan were trying to get her to calm down as she fussed over the awkward feeling Kelsey, all the while Erica kept glancing at Amanda, waiting for an explanation. Robin, Vickie and Steve were having to take in the fact that their kids were Batgirl and Blue Beetle respectively, as if getting used to them dating wasn't hard enough. The only Avengers who were able to meet their parents eyes in this moment, despite their own trepidation, were Barbara and Thomas, Nancy and Jonathan were clearly just as shocked as the others, but also there was the beginnings of pride. Mike and Will looked around at each of them, clearly looking for answers, especially about Jake and his behaviour lately, while also looking to Jessica, realizing quickly this was the girl Jake had been crushing on.

It seemed finally, as if a switch was flipped, that all the shock and raw emotion came spilling out. It was kick-started by Tanya, tears streaming down her face which caused her black punk mascara to run, launching herself at Eddie and hugging him tightly in thanks for saving her. Michelle almost immediately doing the same with Terry.

"What is going on here, why...why is Jake acting this way?!" Mike burst out. "Who was that...thing, all these other things, the Upside-down Monsters, those other, creatures."

Will swallowed. "Please, you need to tell us, everything."

It was clear he was trying desperately to keep himself calm and level, but was on the edge of breaking down like Mike. All the other parents were starting to freak out too while Jess, still shaken from her own near-death experience, did her best to calm down her crush's parents. Jeff and Olivia slowly approached Barbara and Thomas, still in awe, before being embraced while Nathan hugged Amanda, sending looks to Erica, as if pleading with her to just stay calm and listen. It was clear right away they were all still in a state of shock, but they were about to get explanations which would hopefully help them overcome their shock and fear.

After a moment, realizing all eyes were on them, the Avengers all composed themselves and stood, facing the others.

"Alright well...the truth is, we've been doing this for the while. We've been the Avengers for a fair few years." Eddie explained. "We've fought these criminals, super-villains and such...Kelsey was the most recent member of the team, we're still training her."

Kelsey bit her lip but nodded.

That was when Holly burst out. "But she's only ten, wait...that means, you were all just, kids when this started."

"Yeah." Terry admitted. "Just like Eddie said, we've fought these super-villains before. Especially Venom, that huge Symbiote you saw, he's back and stronger than ever...It's also worse than we thought."

"How exactly?" Jonathan asked at last.

"You wouldn't believe this but...before the Symbiote took him over, that was Harry Osborn." Barbara revealed.

"What?!" The others all cried in shock.

"Yeah. He was sick, dying, the Symbiote saved his life, so long as he was bonded with it, he was healthy, stronger than ever. But at a great cost, as a Symbiote gradually takes over your mind and your sanity, gradually strengthening your darkest emotions until they're all that's left of you." Amanda added.

Olivia finally blurted out. "So then, there's nothing left of Harry within that, that thing?"

The Avengers shook their heads sadly. But naturally there was more to the story.

Matthew took up explanations now.

"We're just sorry we hid this from you guys, but you've just experienced why we did it. With all the danger we'd put you in, especially now Venom is back, stronger than ever and using monsters from the Upside-down as well as two new Symbiote allies, Carnage and the one you all were captured by, Scream."

"The danger you put us in…" Michelle remarked, looking to Terry.

"We've been selfish, making you all targets, now we need to find somewhere for you guys to hide, at least until we-"

"Fuck that." Tanya snapped. "You think we're gonna hide. We're helping."

"Now hold on, that's-" Dustin began.

"You're too young." Holly cut in.

"Okay whoa, whoa, whoa." Eddie tried to get things to calm down. "Dad...we're practically the same ages you guys were when you faced the Upside-down monsters, including Vecna."

That made them all pause as they realized he was right.

"Tanya, you...you have to realize how dangerous this is-"

"That's why we have to do it together." She said firmly. "I'm not backing down, or hiding or leaving you, got it."

Eddie smiled warmly at that. "I...thank you. But I can't force anyone, none of us can, it has to be by choice."

But it was clear just what their choices were, everyone was stepping up and clearly determined to help them and fight.

There was one thing however that was the real problem.

"Guys, what about Jake?" Jess burst out, clearly terrified. "What is happening to him, why is acting this way?"

"It's his new suit." Terry explained sadly. "We had suspicions, but now we're sure. Some part of Venom attached to his suit and he's now using it, a Symbiote, which is doing to him that what we explained. Drawing on his anger and desperation due to the danger we're all facing."

Jess gasped. "My God, we...we've got to save him, there has to be something we can do."

Mike and Will managed a smile at that, seeing that Jess' terror for Jake was born out of a desperate desire to help him, showing her true love for him. Just as the other Avengers beloveds showed their love and they were prepared to show theirs for their kids.

"We'll work together and figure it out." Mike said firmly.

Will nodded in agreement. "Yeah, so, what do we do now?"

Eddie smiled. "We need a base of operations, at least while this danger affects all of us...I think I know a place."

With that they masked up again and prepared to take everyone to their planned location, all the while trying to figure out how to save Jake from himself, as well as stop the Upside-Down monsters and Venom.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.