Avengers Compound
October 23, 17:21 EDT
The Secret Warriors were looking at the monitor screen, which showed Peter talking with Yellowjacket. Of course, they couldn't hear what they were saying as everything was muted.
"Recognised: Mary Jane Watson, A05," said the computer.
Everyone turned as MJ exited the zeta tube with a worried look on her face.
"How's he doing?" she asked.
"Still shaken," said Johnny. "We keep on telling him that it wasn't his fault, but he won't listen."
"He's always like this," MJ sighed. "He always goes in a state of depression when he feels guilty; it is his one and only weakness."
"Should he be talking with Yellowjacket?" Kate asked, concerned. "He's not exactly the most stable character."
"The Avengers seem to think so," said Eli.
Peter just sat there as Yellowjack continued to talk.
"Peter, I can't honestly say that I've experienced what you went through, but I can empathise," said Yellowjacket. "You might remember the killer robot that I designed. Trust me, that wasn't my finest moment."
"But I hurt so many people, including my friends," said Peter.
"And none of them blame you for it. The other Avengers told me that Ultron wasn't my fault either; I did, after all, intend for him to bring peace. I just did not realise how far he would go for such peace. As you know, I left the Avengers briefly for a few months. I then carried on with my work in seclusion, and my experiments caused my mental state to be unstable."
"I think maybe it's best if I quit being Spider-Man," said Peter.
"Okay, but who would you suggest taking over as leader?" Yellowjacket asked.
"Eli would be the logical choice."
"But do you think he would accept it?"
"No," said Peter, shaking his head. He then looked at Yellowjacket. "What do you suggest I do then?"
"What are you prepared to do?" Yellowjacket asked.
"I have done my best to follow my uncle's example, trying to do right by him," said Peter.
"And I'm sure your uncle would be proud. You've saved so many lives, whether they want you to save them or not."
"But in just one night, I betrayed everything my uncle stood for."
"According to Reed, the alien, which he is naming a symbiont, seems to enhance its host's aggression. Apparently, if it did stay attached to you any longer, it would completely overcome you."
"I'm lucky the guys were able to save me," said Peter.
"If you want some time off, I'm sure everyone will understand, but I don't really think you should quit the team. They need your leadership and your smarts."
Peter remained quiet and then left the room.
Milky Way
October 23, 13:48 UCT
An alien spacecraft entered the solar system and headed straight towards Earth. On the bridge of the ship were five men wearing matching uniforms. One was a green-skinned woman with a sword strapped to her back; there was a muscular green-skinned man with red tattoos, a giant tree, a raccoon, and lastly, a man wearing a helmet who appeared to be the leader.
They began communing with one another at an alien.
"Are we sure that it is located here?" said the green-skinned woman.
"My scanner doesn't lie," said the raccoon. "We'll find the package on this planet and the thieves."
The muscular man looked at the man and the helmet. "This is your home world, is it not?"
The man merely nodded. "Yes, I haven't been here for 15 years now."
"I am Groot," said the tree.
"Groot's right, let's focus on the mission," said the raccoon.
Avengers Compound
October 23, 18:02 EDT
The Secret Warriors watched as Peter exited the room, and MJ immediately rushed over to him and hugged him.
Peter looked at me, surprised. "MJ, what are you doing here?"
"I've been worried about you for days," she said, pulling away from him. "You've barely talked to me and hardly see me. I had no idea what was going on into Crystal told me."
Peter looked at Crystal.
"I felt she had the right to know what was going on," she said.
"Look, Peter, what happened to you wasn't your fault," she said. "You can't keep beating yourself up every single time something like this happens."
"I need some air," he said.
He then walked off.
"Should we follow him?" Kate asked.
"No, I think he needs some time to himself," said Eli.
"No, you're wrong; you need someone to talk to," said MJ and followed him.
"I'm with her," said Johnny.
"As am I," said Crystal.
The two began to follow along with Zabu.
Peter mounted his motorcycle. "Vision, hangar door!"
The hangar door then opened, and Peter put on his helmet.
"Don't think not going anywhere without me," said MJ, walking up to him.
Peter sighed. "MJ, I really want to be on my own."
"Too bad, because when coming with," said Johnny as he, Crystal and Zabu walked up.
"And there's nothing you can say that can change our minds," Crystal added.
Sphere then rolled up, blocking the exit.
Peter groaned. "You definitely can't come with."
Sphere then began to buzz and hum then suddenly began to transform. Within moments, it became a super high-tech car sporting a spider motif. Everyone just stared at Sphere in shock; even Zabu was shocked.
"I think we might need a wardrobe change," said Johnny breaking the silence.
Moments later, they all change into their costumes apart except MJ, who wore a tinted helmet and biking leathers. They hopped into Sphere, suddenly taking off and flying through the sky.
Eli and the others rushed towards the hangar just as they took off.
"What just happened?" Eli stared.
Spider-Man and the others were currently enjoying riding on Sphere.
"This thing is awesome," said MJ as she looked at everyone. "So none of you knew that Sphere could transform into a hovercar?"
"It's news to us," said Spider-Man.
"We know it's alive, at least according to Reed," said Torch as he flew beside them. "Makes you wonder what other surprises it has in store for us?"
"Any reason why it has the spider motif?" Crystal asked.
"You did say that it reacted to Peter when you first found it," said MJ.
"Makes sense it would try to mimic you," said Torch.
Sphere then suddenly began to beep erratically.
"What's going on?" MJ asked.
"I think Sphere is picking something up," said Spider-Man.
"Want to investigate?" Torch asked.
Spider-Man looked at MJ uncomfortably. "I don't want to put MJ in danger."
"Peter, I'm surrounded by capable superheroes, a sabertooth tiger, and a super-advanced car; I'll be fine," MJ smiled.
"We're only investigating," said Crystal.
Spider-Man sighed. "All right, but we are only investigating."
They then allowed Sphere to guide them, and they soon landed on the ground, but they didn't see anything.
"I don't see anything," said Torch.
Then, suddenly, there were five beams of light materialising, and five aliens materialised.
"I hate it when you're wrong," Spider-Man sighed.
"Am I seeing things, or are we being stared down by a tree and a raccoon?" MJ asked.
"An alien tree in an alien raccoon," Spider-Man corrected.
"Really, not the point," said MJ.
The alien in the helmet then began speaking in an alien language.
"We don't understand a word you're saying, pal," said Torch as he produced some fireballs.
They then watched as the alien lowered his buys, and they saw that he was human or at least human–looking.
"Apologies," he said. "It's been so long forgotten how to speak English."
"Wait, you're human," said Torch.
"Born in Missouri," he said, and he looked at them curiously. "I have to admit I'm surprised that the thieves turned out to be a bunch of kids."
"Thieves?" Crystal frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't bother denying it, lady," said the raccoon. "We know that you stole from the Shi'ar."
"The raccoon talks?" MJ stared.
The raccoon and snarled at her. "I'm not a raccoon!"
"Yet you call yourself Rocket Raccoon," said the green-skinned woman.
"Okay, timeout," said Spider-Man, forming a T shape with his hands.
"What does he mean by timeout?" said the muscular man. "Is he saying that he's out of time?"
"No, Drax, he just wants us to pause from attacking until we talk this out," said their leader.
"I am Groot," said the tree.
"Groot's right," said Rocket. "I mean, they've got the Shi'ar Sphere right there."
"Wait, you mean Sphere?" said Crystal.
"Ha, they admit it!" said Rocket and then suddenly pulled out a pair of blasters.
"We didn't steal anything," said Torch as he burst into flames.
The green-skinned woman then looked at their leader. "Quill, you never mentioned that your people could burst into flames."
"They can't," said Quill.
"Oh, we can do more than burst into flames," said Torch.
Everyone looked as if they were ready for a fight, but MJ quickly jumped in between them.
"Hold on, let's not beat each other up until we talk about this," said MJ.
"We got nothing to discuss with you thieves," said Rocket.
"And they're the ones who want to pick a fight with us," said Torch.
MJ quickly looked at the aliens. "Look, we never stole anything. In fact, they actually liberated the Sphere when a crazy scientist was trying to dissect it."
"I am Groot," said Groot.
"Why are you taking her side?" Rocket asked.
"I am Groot."
Rocket sighed and lowered his blasters. "Yeah, good point. Okay, girly, we're listening."
They then went over the past few minutes, explaining everything to the aliens.
"What they say does make sense," said the green-skinned woman. "They do not strike me as thieves."
"Especially in those pyjamas," said Quill.
"These are our costumes," said Torch. "We're superheroes."
Quill blinked. "A lot of things have happened in the last 20 years."
"So, who exactly are you guys?" Spider-Man asked.
"We're the Guardians of the Galaxy, and we're a peacekeeping force," Quill explained. "My name is Peter Quill, though I go by the name Star-Lord, I'm the leader of this group. You've already met Mister personality here, Rocket Raccoon."
Rocket merely folded his arms. "Just call me Rocket."
"The big tree is Groot," Quill continued.
"I am Groot," said Groot.
Everyone immediately looked at Quill.
"I'm afraid that's all he can say; Rocket is really the only one of us who can actually understand him."
"Years of practice," said Rocket.
"The big guy here is Drax," said Quill, gesturing to Drax.
"Though many call me Drax the Destroyer," said Drax.
Quill then gestured to Gamora. "And my second in command, Gamora, is highly considered to be the most deadly woman in the Galaxy."
Gamora merely nodded.
"So you're space cops?" MJ asked.
"I wouldn't go that far; we're an independent peacekeeping force. Unlike the Nova Corp, we don't answer to anyone, only ourselves. For the most part, we round up dangerous criminals and hand them over to the proper authorities, though some people consider us bounty hunters and mercenaries more than anything else."
"So basically the space equivalent of the Avengers," Spider-Man summarised,
"We were hired by the Shi'ar; they're one of the major superpowers within the Milky Way," said Gamora. "Some of the technology had been stolen, and we traced it to this planet."
"Technology like Sphere?" said Crystal.
"Yes, but how you primitives managed to get your hands on such advanced technology, we don't know," said Rocket.
"We're not as primitive as you think," said Torch. "My brother-in-law is highly considered to be the smartest man on the planet, and my team has travelled through alternate dimensions and space."
"We're also familiar with certain aliens," said Spider-Man. "We had a small run-in with the Kree and were invaded by an alien species called the Chitauri."
"So you have powerful warriors on this planet," said Drax.
"We're quite powerful ourselves, you know," said Torch.
Drax laughed. "That was a good joke."
Torch clenched his fist and looked as if he was about to attack Drax, but Spider-Man placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Let's not try to aggravate them. After all, we haven't introduced ourselves yet," said Spider-Man. "People call me Spider-Man; the hothead here is the Human Torch, the sabertooth tiger over there is Zabu, and the girls are Crystal and Mary Jane."
"Those are some very strange names," said Drax.
"I don't think those are their actual names," said Quill. "I think there are codenames like Star-Lord."
"Actually, my real name is Crystal," said Crystal.
"And my name really is Mary Jane because, unlike everyone here, I'm not a superhero," said MJ.
"Well, this is not at all confusing," said Rocket and then his device picked up the signal. "Quill, I'm detecting other unregistered alien technology on this planet, and it looks like it comes from the Shi'ar as well."
"Then we better retrieve it," said Quill.
"What about them?" Gamora asked, gesturing to Spider-Man and the others.
"We can lend you a hand," Spider-Man offered.
"This is Guardian business; we can't involve you any further," said Quill.
"Quill, with all due respect, you haven't been on Earth for 20 years, and you don't know the changes that have happened," said Spider-Man. "Also, if Sphere is to go by, then we can assume that the bad guys have the rest of the stolen technology, and we would like to know who's been handing this technology over to them."
"I am Groot," said Groot.
"Groot's got a point," said Rocket. "We could do with their help, as much as I hate to admit."
Quill sighed. "All right, you can come, but try not to cause any trouble."
He then pressed something on his helmet, and suddenly, they were all teleported and appeared on the bridge of their spaceship.
"What just happened?" MJ asked.
"I think we were just teleporting onto their ship, but without using zeta tubes," said Spider-Man, stunted.
"Earth really has gone from rags and bounds of you have teleporting technology, even if it is planetary-wide," said Quill as he manned the cockpit. "We should reach our target soon, so everyone should get prepared."
MJ watched through the window as they flew across the United States.
"I can't believe I'm in an alien spaceship," she said.
"Having the time of your life," said Gamora, smiling.
"I knew when I started dating Peter… I mean, Spider-Man, I would witness certain strange things, but I never would have imagined this," she said.
"Great, we've got two Peters," said Gamora, shaking her head. She then looked at her curiously. "So, unlike the others, you don't have any fighting skills or powers to assist you."
MJ shook her head. "No, I'm just a plain old human, though I help my boyfriend occasionally."
"Then I cannot help but feel a little jealous," said Gamora as she looked out the window. "I didn't exactly have a childhood myself; my adoptive father trained me to be a weapon, a heartless assassin. It was only until I met Peter that my entire life changed; now I seek redemption by helping as many people as I can."
"My childhood wasn't exactly stable," MJ admitted. "My father yielded us so much that my mother finally took me and my sister away. Then, my sister married at a young age and suffered the same problems as my mother. I then abandoned my sister to pursue my own dreams. I hate to say, but I was rather self-centred; it was only until I encountered Peter that I changed."
Gamora nodded. "Guess our Peters have something in common."
Washington DC
October 23, 20:34 EDT
The Guardians' ship soon hovered directly over the capital, cloaked as they approached a warehouse where the stolen technology was located.
"According to our senses, the stolen technology is located here," said Quill.
"So what's the plan?" Spider-Man asked.
"First, let's see what we're up against," said Quill.
He pressed a few buttons on his console, and suddenly, they found themselves surrounded by a holographic map of the warehouse. Then they could see a number of people working round the clock wearing green and Spider-Man, and the others immediately recognised the logo.
"HYDRA," said the young heroes.
"What say HYDRA?" Rocket asked.
"It's a mythical creature," said Quill. "Every time you cut one of its head, it grows an extra one."
"They have such a beast here?" Drax as he cracked his knuckles. "I would enjoy putting an end to such a beast."
"He said mythical, Drax," said Gamora. "That means it doesn't really exist."
"Actually, it did at one point, but that's not the point," said Spider-Man. "This is the organisation known as HYDRA. They're a terrorist organisation that wishes to rule the world by any means. It's been around since World War II."
"You're saying that this terrorist organisation has been around for 70 years?" Quill stared. "How come I never heard of it?"
"Because for the past 55 years after the Allies won World War II, they've been operating in secret," Spider-Man explained.
"I am Groot," said Groot.
"Yeah, how do you know so much about them?" Rocket asked.
"Because my parents were the ones who exposed them at the cost of their lives," said Spider-Man.
Rocket was completely taken aback. "Sorry, kid."
"I recognise him from the most wanted files," said Crystal, pointing at a 70-year-old man with a prosthetic arm. "Baron Von Strucker."
"Is he the head honcho?" Quill asked.
"For this cell," said Spider-Man.
"Doesn't look too tough," said Rocket.
"Look at his arm," said Gamora.
They zoomed in and saw that the prosthetic arm he was wielding didn't exactly look normal.
"That stolen alien technology, all right," said Quill.
"So we've found our culprits," said Torch.
"Doesn't explain their link to Doctor Doom, though," said Spider-Man.
"Nor do we know how they managed to get that technology," Gamora added.
"Maybe we'll get some answers if we crack some heads," said Rocket.
"Let's go, Guardians," said Quill as he pulled out his blasters.
"Wait, we need more Intel," said Spider-Man.
"We've got this, kid," said Quill.
The Guardians opened the hangar bay doors and jumped down using jet packs.
"Should we go after them?" Crystal asked.
"We're committed now," Spider-Man sighed and looked at MJ. "MJ, I think you should stay here."
"Not going to argue, I'll monitor the situation here," she said.
"Then let's move."
They mounted Sphere and flew down to the Guardians.
The Guardians had just smashed through the skylight and immediately engaged the HYDRA goons. Gamora drew her sword and immediately charged at the goons, slicing through their rifles with a single swing of her sword before knocking them out.
Drax was showing off his strength by charging and heading to a whole gang of them. Rocket flew around above them with his jet pack, blasting them with his blaster. Groot hit the ground and began swinging his massive arms, which stretched and began swatting them away like flies.
Quill was also flying around on his jet pack and began firing his blasters, which began shooting lightning and fire.
Spider-Man and the others arrived just in time to see the Guardians cleaned house.
"Looks like there was nothing to worry about," said Torch.
"They make it look so easy," said Crystal.
Spider-Man frowned as something was off. "HYDRA isn't using any of the technology they stole. Something doesn't seem right."
Soon, the only one remaining was Strucker, who just merely stood there. "A fine showing."
"You're the only one left standing, old man," said Quill as he aimed his blasters at him. "Return what you stole, and we won't have to rough you up so much."
"I think not," said Stucker with a smile.
He then pulled out of a mode and pressed the button. Immediately, an electrical force field appeared around the Guardians, and they collapsed.
"This is a Shi'ar stasis field," said Quill.
"Ordinarily, it is used to calm the patient down, but as you can see, it has other uses," Strucker smiled.
"You humans are certainly innovative," said a new voice.
Then, suddenly appearing out of the shadows was an alien with short white hair and pure white eyes.
Gamora's eyes widened upon seeing him. "Ebony Maw!"
Ebony Maw smiled at her. "Ah, the wayward child. My master will certainly be pleased to have his daughter returned to him."
"Looks like they know each other," said Torch.
"I'm guessing we found the person who's been supplying alien technology," said Crystal.
"And it looks like the Guardians need help," Spider-Man added.
"Then let's jump right in," said Torch.
Torch instantly flew down and began tossing fireballs, which caught both Strucker and Ebony Maw.
"It would appear that we have a few more pests to contender with," said Ebony Maw.
He outstretched his hand, and suddenly, Torch found himself flying backwards, indicating that he had telekinesis. Spider-Man then swung down from a dropkick upon Strucker, knocking into the far side of the warehouse.
"Spider-Man, what are you doing here?" Strucker asked as he drew his sword.
"Taking you down," he said, immediately charging in.
Ebony Maw was now hovering in midair as Crystal flew around on Sphere, which began firing lasers at him while she shot lightning.
"You humans certainly have some impressive abilities," Ebony Maw admitted as he blocked them with a force field.
"You say nothing yet!" said Torch as he flew in, unleashing a stream of fire.
Ebony Maw was able to block it, but he was struggling.
Strucker continued to swing his sword at Spider-Man, who dodged every one of his attacks flawlessly. He tried to grab his prosthetic arm, but Spider-Man granted it and smashed it into the ground.
"No, my arm!" he yelled.
Spider-Man then fired some webbing, tied him up, and pinned him to the ground.
He quickly rejoined the others, and Ebony Maw realised he was now outnumbered.
"It would seem as if the tide has turned, but I shall return," he said.
He then pressed a device on his wrist, and a portal appeared directly behind him. Before any of them could stop him, he escaped the portal that was closed behind him.
"He got away," said Torch.
They managed to free the Guardians, who immediately began scanning all the alien technology.
"Yep, every item here was stolen, not just from the Shi'ar," said Rocket.
"Just who was that guy?" Torch asked.
"His name is Ebony Maw, and he is a member of the Black Order," said Gamora.
"And that means what exactly?" Spider-Man asked.
"The Black Order only take orders from one man, and that man is my father," said Gamora.
"So you're Dad underlining gave alien weapons to a terrorist organisation here on Earth, but why?" Torch asked.
"I do not know, I've never truly understood my father," said Gamora.
Quill then looked at them. "I suggest that you warn your fellow heroes because it looks as if Earth's gonna find itself in the spotlight of the Milky Way. Trust me, there were things out they do not want to know."
"Guess all that's left is to transport this stuff back to the Shi'ar," said Rocket. "That includes the Sphere."
"Whoa, hold on," said Spider-Man. "You can't just take."
"Yes, we can," said Drax bluntly.
"What Drax means is that while we do appreciate your assistance, we can't let you keep the Sphere," said Quill.
"Why not? It seems to be rather attached to Peter," said Torch.
"The fact that you were referring her to it speaks volumes," said Gamora. "The Sphere is a very advanced super intelligence, and it's too dangerous to be in the hands of you humans."
"Wait, Sphere is a she?" Torch blinked.
They were going to argue some more, but Quill held his hand up and placed his hand against his helmet.
"You absolutely sure?" he said, sounding surprised. "You're the client."
"What's up, Quill?" Gamora asked.
"I don't know why, but our client has decided to allow Spider-Man and his friends to keep the Sphere," Quill informed them.
"You're kidding," said Rocket.
"Sphere gets to stay with us?" Crystal blinked.
"Unless our client changes her mind again," said Quill, smiling.
"We'll promise to take good care of her," said Spider-Man.
Quill nodded. "I'm sure you will."
It wasn't until late at night that they were turned back to the Compound and informed everyone of what had happened. Iron Man and Mister Fantastic were currently scanning Sphere while Vision talked with Black Widow.
"What do you hope to find?" Vision asked. "According to Peter and the others, Sphere has proven quite useful. Johnny has already rechristened her the Spidermobile."
"By any name, the Sphere merits further investigation, as does everything in Spider-Man's report," said Black Widow.
Peter was currently outside on the balcony, looking at the star-filled night.
"Penny for your thoughts?" MJ asked as she approached him.
"Just pondering just how big the universe truly is," Peter smiled.
"I have to say even tagging along on one of your missions is quite thrilling," MJ smiled.
"Don't get used to it, but that was a fluke."
"But a nice one," she said, wrapping her arm around his. "Are you still thinking about stepping down?"
"After what we experienced today, I don't think I'm quite ready to hang up my costume just yet."
"Good, because personally, I think you cut a handsome figure in it."
The two of them then looked at one another and then kissed.
The Guardians of the Galaxy is a peacekeeping force, but to many, they are nothing more than mercenaries and bounty hunters. They first came together when Peter Quill witnessed Thanos destroy an entire planetary system and wanted a team that would protect the Galaxy rather than react to a crisis after it happened.