Peter Parker woke to the sound of his alarm blasting the latest pop hit through his bedroom walls. He groaned, flipping over and throwing an arm over his eyes to block out the sunlight streaming through the window. It was a typical morning in Queens, yet nothing felt typical anymore. He was the last of the Avengers, the world's final hope, the king of two countries, the CEO of Stark Industries, the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., and—oh yeah—still a high school sophomore. He wasn't sure what was harder.
A yawn escaped his lips as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, feeling the weight of his new reality settle into his bones. He had been crowned king of Wakanda and Asgard in a ceremony that felt more like a fever dream than reality. The vibranium crown of Wakanda rested on his dresser, gleaming in the morning light, while the golden helmet of Asgard perched atop a precarious stack of textbooks. Both were symbols of his newfound responsibilities—and the worlds that now looked to him for protection. Yet every time Peter saw them, he couldn't help but think of the friends he had lost, the ones who had worn those crowns with pride and grace.
He hadn't known either well. King T'Challa he knew mostly through Princess Shuri, and Thor was a figure he admired from afar, mostly through the news. It felt wrong to wear their crowns. Not only were they too big for his head, but it also felt disrespectful somehow.
With a sigh, he pushed himself to his feet and began to get ready for another day of navigating the treacherous waters of high school politics—and, hopefully, avoiding any alien invasions before lunch. As he tied his shoes, his spider-sense tingled faintly but insistently. Peter knew better than to ignore it. He checked his phone, retrofitted with Stark tech to serve as his new Avengers communicator, and saw a notification from Oyoke, his Dora Milaje shadow. She reminded him of an early meeting with the S.H.I.E.L.D. council.
Grabbing his backpack, he stuffed it with textbooks, gadgets, and a spare suit. He never knew when he'd have to switch from a math test to an emergency meeting with S.H.I.E.L.D., Stark Industries' board, the UN—well, you get the idea. Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he took one last look at his room—a chaotic mix of a typical teenager's mess, scattered paperwork, and the weight of a hero's calling.
As he stepped out the door, the familiar sounds of Queens greeted him: the honking of taxis, the distant chatter of pedestrians, and the comforting hum of life. But just beneath the surface, a tension lurked in every shadow.
"Just another day," he muttered to himself, but the words felt hollow. Empty. Did he really deserve to be a king of two countries?
The streets were bustling with early-morning commuters, and as he made his way to school, Peter couldn't shake the feeling that today would be different. Maybe it was the weight of the crowns or the lingering echoes of those who had fought beside him. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that he was still Spider-Man—still capable of swinging through the city, even if he was now a king with two crowns.
He boarded the subway, trying to be inconspicuous, pulling his hood down and attempting to ignore the tall woman he recognized even in civilian clothes—Oyoke. She had become his permanent shadow, following him everywhere. He understood her desire to protect her new king after losing the old one so soon, but still. Following him into the bathroom? That was a bit much. He was just glad he'd managed to talk her down from bringing the entire Dora Milaje along. That had not been easy.
It was hard enough to explain to the school why he sometimes disappeared without revealing his secret identity. He hadn't yet managed to think of an excuse for Oyoke.
As the subway rattled along the tracks, Peter stole a glance at her. Her expression was focused, eyes scanning the crowd, always on high alert. It was both reassuring and suffocating. He had to be the hero, the king, but part of him longed for the simplicity of being just a teen. Of acne and awkward crushes.
The train screeched to a halt, and he stepped off, the weight of expectations heavy on his shoulders. Today would be different, he could feel it in the air. And as he navigated through the throngs of students, he couldn't shake the thought that being Spider-Man was only half the battle. The real challenge lay ahead, with crowns resting heavily on his head and a world waiting for a hero.
