The Gray Avenger Chapter 17, a marvel fanfic

Chapter 5: X-What? (2/7)

The sound of cries coming from the room were considerably unpleasant. Especially considering that they were all dedicated towards someone who was simply not worth it. Controlling his breathing and gripping his weapon hard was all that he could do as he awaited for the right opportunity.

"The years I spent with Alessandro in my life were filled with excitement and adventure. He showed up for life in the biggest way possible. From the moment he shared his cookie with me on the first day of kindergarten, I knew we would be best friends." Rolling his eyes at the incredibly lame eulogy that the fool was giving, was possibly the most unpleasant part."I can't imagine how empty it will feel to spend time on the basketball court without Alessandro by my side. Our relationship was built with a basketball in hand, and evolved to share many family gatherings and other activities together over the years. With his passing, Alessandro is leaving behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and generosity." He literally had an urge to vomit when he heard that." Alessandro shared good humor and a big smile with everyone he met. Even though people often cursed at his practical jokes, he was an integral part of creating a solid foundation of friendship in our group. When times were difficult, he could always put a smile on my face. He held his head high until the end, showing what it looks like to finish strong."

That's it, I had enough of this shit! In truth, the place that he was currently in. Was a funeral, a funeral of a guy that he killed himself. Laying inside of the coffin, made a soft whistle in order to call the attention of whoever was near it.

"Huh?" The one giving the eulogy noticed something was off. "AAAHHH!" It only took him a few seconds for him to open the coffin and realize that the guy inside of the coffin wasn't Alessandro.

"Hi." Inside of the coffin, there was a male wearing a strange looking outfit in the color gray. Composed of a long sleeved shirt, a gray tactical vest with several pouches and a gun holster, tactical pants, combat boot, tactical sap gloves. But what stood out was a strange looking gray helmet that was covering his face completely. "Bye." Accompanying the outfit, was an assault rifle in his hand, a Smith & Wesson M&P15 Tactical.

Before the man could react, the one inside the coffin shot him straight on the head. Before he sat up and began firing at the guests of the funeral.

"It's the guy that killed Alessandro!"

"That's the fucking Gray Avenger!"

The one who just attacked that funeral was called the Gray Avenger.

Firing his assault rifle and being overwhelmingly careful not to hit anyone with it. It didn't take long for the rest of the scum to actually fight back and fire at him. Forcing him to jump out of the coffin and immediately running towards the wall on the left. Where he jumped towards it and passed through solid matter using Phasing. Ending up in the corridor just outside the room where the funeral was taking place.

Strapping the assault rifle to his back and moving his head to the left, he saw several of the people that were attending the funeral leaving in clear desperation due to the shots that he fired. However, among the crowd, two men wearing fine looking suits passed through the crowd and pulled their handguns from inside their coats. Unfortunately for them, the Gray Avenger charged at them in a dash, closing the distance in an unbelievable speed. Getting in the middle of the two men, where he delivers a right hook at the jaw of one of them, knocking him out cold. The other man tried to strike him with his pistol, but the Gray Avenger simply ducked and delivered a cross to his gut, followed by a left uppercut that knocked him out just as quickly as the other.

"The bastard that killed my brother is inside!" Suddenly, he heard the voice of the man that he was looking for coming from outside. "I want him dead now!"

Closing his eyes for a second in order to concentrate, he activated his Radar Sense. He could see several armed individuals making their way into the funeral home. Took your sweet time... The Gray Avenger thought as he prepared himself to face the bodyguards of the man that he was there to kill.

Kneeling down and grabbing the handguns of the two men that he just knocked out. Two Glock 19s that he held at each hand. As the bodyguards entered the corridor which he was standing in the middle of. The Gray Avenger charged forwards while firing both handguns simultaneously in order to create suppressive fire. As the body guards all took cover, he ran all the way forward until he reached a door that led into what appeared to be a Reposing Room.

Dropping both handguns after he wasted all the ammo and performing a dive roll to get into the room as the bodyguards began to fire their weapons at him. Once he was inside, the first thing he did was close the door behind him, before he actually began to crawl the wall and stick right above the door. Then he slightly pulled the left sleeve of his shirt up, revealing a web shooter on his wrist. Which he used to launch some web into one of the chairs inside and pull in order to make it collide with the lights of the room.

It didn't take long for the bodyguards to reach the door. Intelligently, instead of kicking it down, they simply opened fire with several 9mm going into the room, doing nothing but unnecessary damage as the Gray Avenger hid above the door.

Eventually, after a lot of wasted ammo went into the room, the idiots decided to kick the door down.

"Is he dead?!"

"I can't see a damn thing, the room is too dark!"

"The boss is gonna kill us if we lose him!"

"You think I don't know that!"

"What are you waiting for, get inside!"

"You get inside!"

"Bunch of fucking pussies!"

After a bunch of unnecessary bickering, one of the body guards entered the room. Pulling out a small flashlight from his coat. Illuminating the whole room from the door.

"What the hell!" The bodyguard cursed as he stepped in. "He's not here!" Holding his pistol and the flash light in a rogers surefire technique.

The rest of the bodyguards stepped into the room searching for the Gray Avenger. Who was simply crouching on the wall right above the wall. Pulling his assault rifle from his back, removing the empty clip and placing inside of one of the pouches in his vest, before grabbing a loaded one and putting into the rifle. He awaited with his weapon ready until they were all inside of the room.

"We're deadmeat!" The last one to enter the room said that.

"Couldn't say it better myself." The Gray Avenger finally spoke up.

The moment they all turn around to see him, illuminating him with their flashlights. Sadly for them, before they could all open fire, the Gray Avenger fired his assault rifle in full out in a horizontal line of fire, using all of the ammo but managing to hit them all before they could even fire back.

No more ammo. He thought in annoyance as he strapped the now empty assault rifle into his back and jumped. Then he jumped off the wall, but once his feet touched the floor, his Danger Sense tingled . "Shit!" With him having a split second to jump out of the way as a shotgun blast came from behind him.

"My father was always right, if you want something done correctly, you gotta do it yourself!" The man that nearly shot him was a sleazy looking middle aged guy with greasy curly hair, a ugly and bushy moustache and a big nose. He was wearing a fine looking black suit with leather french shoes and an expensive watch. "This is for my baby brother, you piece o-" He pumped the Winchester Model 1897 shotgun that he was carrying and entered the room to shoot the Gray Avenger.

However, before he could, the Gray Avenger pulled the gun that was holstered in his vest. A Smith & Wesson Model 500 revolver, chrome plated and heavily engraved, with a 8-inch barrel, a walnut wood grip and a custom rear sight. And blasted the man's head with the magnum revolver as he unnecessarily spoke. "When you have to shoot, shoot; don't talk." He commented as the man fell dead on the floor right away.

Holstering his revolver once again and moving in order to step out of the room, the Gray Avenger realized something. "Fuck..." He could hear more steps coming from outside. Why do I get the feeling that they knew that I would be here? Because it was kind of obvious. "Okay..." Wasting no more time, the Gray Avenger kneeled down and grabbed the shotgun that the man he just killed used to shoot him. "Got what you deserved, dipshit." That was all that he had to say to the dead man whose brain he just blew with his magnum revolver.

The Gray Avenger ran in the opposite direction of the front door in order to avoid the rest of the bodyguards that were coming his way.

"There he is!" Once they reached the corridor, several of them began firing at him from the end of the corridor as he ran towards the opposite direction.

With the Gray Avenger using the shotgun that he just took to fire blindly at them as he made his way towards the other end of the corridor. Where he made his way towards the door on the right, dropping the now empty shotgun as soon as he passed through. That room was clearly an office, probably belonging to the owner.

Not that he had any time to care about that, as the first thing that he did once he was inside that room. Was to jump on top of the large desk inside of that room and jump through the window that was right behind the desk.

Rolling on the ground as soon as he did, he realized that he was in the parking lot of the funeral home. He used the opportunity to run as fast as he could. With the bodyguards reaching the window and shooting at him right away. Causing him to immediately take cover behind one of the many cars that were in the parking lot. "Fuck!" Cursing as he slid across the hood of the car and crouched behind it in order to avoid getting shot.

Pulling his Magnum Revolver out of the holster in his vest, Only four fucking shots, I love this damn gun but the capacity really pisses me off. He thought in deep annoyance despite knowing perfectly well that it's his own fault for picking such an impractical gun. Oh well... Despite that, he wasted no time in actually standing up and single-handed aiming the Model 500. Firing all of the four shots at the bodyguards and landing perfect headshots on all of them.

Leaving only two of them left. Taking cover behind the car, he placed the Model 500 back on the holster. With the two remaining bodyguards continuing to fire at him. Goddammit! This would have been so much quicker if I had my equipment! He thought in deep frustration as this improvised gear that he had to use paled in comparison to his actual gear. Whatever, no time to think about that. Eventually, the bodyguards ran out of ammo, allowing the Gray Avenger to get out of cover. My job is done, the asshole is dead. He thought as he saw the bodyguards jumping out of the broken window and running towards him.

Seriously? It was almost comical that they thought they could take him.

The two bodyguards charged at the Gray Avenger. The first one to close the distance tried to punch him. "Aa!" With the dumbass remembering that he was wearing a helmet after he hurt his fist.

"Dumbass." The Gray Avenger responded by delivering a right hook to his liver, causing him to bend over in pain, before he grabbed him and placed him in a standing guillotine choke.

As he choked the bodyguard, he moved his head to look at the last one. Taking less than a few seconds for the one that he was choking to lose his consciousness.

The last bodyguard left, seemed to have gotten the message. So he put his hands up. "Look, I'm just doing my job!" He tried to speak as the Gray Avenger continued to choke the unconscious bodyguard with the guillotine choke.

"Yeah," He finally let go of the choke after he was sure that the bodyguard was dead. "I'm sure all the people you probably killed under that asshole and his brother's orders were simply for the sake of being a good employer." The Gray Avenger replied sarcastically before he delivered a Chassé Frontal kick to his face. With the damage being double due to the fact that he was wearing iron tipped boots.

"MMMM!" All that the bodyguard made after the kick landed on his face, falling backwards right away. Before the Gray Avenger stomped on his head over and over and over and over and over and over and over again, until his head was practically squashed on the ground.

After he did that, he moved his head to the right and realized that the guests of the funeral were all staring at him, photographing him with their cellphones and staring at him horrified with what he just did with the bodyguards.

His response was to stomp on the squashed head of the bodyguard one last time and give a middle finger to them. "You're all a bunch of fucking maggots!" That was the Gray Avenger's opinion towards those people.

Time to leave. The Gray Avenger then closed his eyes and conjured a mental image of a place he wanted to be at that moment. Which allowed him to teleport himself from the parking lot to that place. Disappearing out of thin air from everyone.

...

"Nero."

Opening his vivid gray eyes, Nero realized that someone was standing next to his bed. A middle-aged woman with dark brown eyes and wrinkles on her face, wearing a black religious habit that covered her body completely. "Mmmmm..." Once he took a good look, he realized that it was Sister Maggie. "I just had a weird but... Awesome dream." That was the best way that he could describe the weird dream that he just had.

"Well, forgive me for waking you from that awesome dream, but today is the day, remember?" She reminded him of it.

"Oh yeah!" Nero removed the blanket that was covering him, and moved to check his belongings.

"You know, you got a perfect pair of pajamas, but you insist on sleeping in your underwear." She commented as the boy wore nothing but his U.S flag boxers.

"Just be thankful that I don't sleep naked." That was Nero's only response as he began to put his clothes on. "What time is it?" He asked the good nun.

"Eleven." She answered. "They'll be here to pick you up in five hours."

"More than enough time." Nero replied as he put his black jeans on. "There is someone that I want to say goodbye to before that."

"That blond girl that called you yesterday?" She asked him.

"Yeah, there's something that I want to show her before I go." Nero pointed out as he put his white tank-top on.

"Did you prepare your luggage?" She asked him.

"Yeah, it's over there." Nero pointed at a backpack and a bag that were filled with everything he wanted to take. "The backpack is filled with clothes, the bag is filled with my stuff." He gave her some unnecessary information as he put on his white hoodie. "Everything I didn't put there, you can give it to whoever gets this room."

Sister Maggie seemed surprised by the offer. "Are you certain?"

"This school that I'm going to is considerably fancy, so I'm not gonna need most of it." At least according to Jean's description of the place.

"That's... awfully nice of you." Especially considering that Nero had always been incredibly possessive with his belongings.

"Not really, most of it is either super used up or doesn't work properly." Nero confessed as he put his shoes on.

"And you should know that it doesn't really matter for some." She reminded him of that fact.

"Yeah..." He then puts his leather jacket on and proceeds to put on his jewelry.

Once his jewelry was on, he moved towards the mirror. Nero's appearance started to change a bit recently. With his now strong jawline, hunter eyes that made his vivid gray eyes slightly less prominent and perfectly straight nose. His sickly pale skin was now simply very fair skin, his hair was now medium-length.

"Why did you grow out your hair?" She asked, since Nero usually had his hair cut short.

"I don't know, I just felt like growing it out." He responded as he reached for a brush and used to brush down his hair, making his bangs partially cover his eyes. "How do I look?" He asked her.

"Honestly," The nun folded her arms. "Puberty is doing wonders for you." She confessed.

"I agree with you on that." Nero stared at himself in the mirror and realized that he actually looked pretty good now. Before he always had a weird appearance, but now, he looked great.

"Can't say the same about your choice of clothing, jewelry and make-up though." Then she sarcastically gave him criticism.

"Hey, I look cool!" He spoke defensively in response to his dressing style as he put his gloves on.

"Sure, you do." She once again spoke sarcastically in response to that. "At least the others got a good laugh when they saw you trying eyeliner the other day."

"Ah..." Neto grunted in response. "Don't remind me of that,it was difficult to put it on and even more difficult to get it off." The truth is, he saw one of his favorite heavy metal guitarists with eyeliner and wanted to try, but it was more annoying than anything. "I'll stick with just painting my nails though." He lifted his hand to showcase the art piece that Jean made.

"I admit, the nails actually look pretty good." That part was obvious. "But please, don't try putting on make-up again." She didn't need to request that.

"Roger that." Nero gave her a thumbs up in response. "I have to go, I'll be back before they arrive.'" The boy with white hair moved towards the gig bag that was located besides his bed. After strapping on his back, he made his way to the door. "See you later."

"Stay out of trouble." That was her only instruction.

"Easier said than done." And that was the last thing he said before he left the room.

The weather was pleasant enough, despite being a little cloudy. With Nero stepping out of the train station that he used to get to his destination. That dream seemed so real though. The whole way, Nero just kept trying to understand the weird dream that he had that morning. Gray Avenger... That's a pretty cool name. He couldn't help but think that. And he was doing so much cool shit, passing through walls, dashing in super speed, wall crawling and he could even see behind the walls. Thinking all that, made him incredibly disappointed. Why couldn't those be my fucking powers instead of what I got?

The boy with a hood on his head thought in deep annoyance as he crossed the street. But once he reached the other side, the thought. WAIT!? Due to realizing something. What if... That wasn't a dream... The possibility just came to his mind. What if it was a vision of the future... Since the idea isn't too far-fetched. I mean, yeah, seeing the future could be another superpower... but..

"Excuse me?" He was snapped out of his thoughts by a woman. "Could you..." She was pushing an elderly man in a wheelchair and Nero was blocking the way.

"Oh, sorry." He apologized before continuing to move forward.

But... If that was really a vision of the future... Why the fuck was I gunning down a funeral? That was the part that confused him the most. Wait... Then he remembered another detail. The Magnum Revolver, it was definitely the same but it seemed different. It seemed to be the same Smith & Wesson Model 500, but it had a longer barrel, the grip was different and it had really cool looking engravings. I need to make those modifications. He thought enthusiastically as it made the revolver even more badass.

Despite being in deep thought in regards to the supposed premonition, he noticed a news report passing through a TV that was on display in a store that he was passing by.

"The Stark Industries still hasn't come out with a statement in regards to the disappearance of President and Chief Executive Officer, Tony Stark. Who has been reported missing during a business trip to central Asia a week ago."

Nero rolled his eyes and kept moving. He was probably kidnapped for ransom or someone wants him to build a superweapon or some shit. Nero didn't really care about that anyway. Honestly, I can't say that I feel sorry for a rich douchebag. Considering that not long ago, he met a guy that was literally tricked into becoming a monster, and since the guy in question was clearly a nice guy, it only made things more tragic.

Thinking about Bruce, Nero wondered if he made it out safely. I hope he's okay, he clearly didn't deserve the shitty situation that he ended up in.

Moving his gray eyes up, he realized that he was about to reach his destination. I want to show her the song before I leave, since she helped me compose it. In truth, he was making his way to Gwen Stacy's apartment, because he actually finished the song that he was composing and he wanted her to hear it. He did show her before, but now he wanted to show her the full version.

"Oh, look what we have here." Suddenly, as he approached, he heard a voice coming from his left. Moving his head, he noticed two familiar faces.

"Bitch and ugly motherfucker, how delightful it is to see your ugly faces again." Nero spoke sarcastically as the two boys that cornered him and Gwen after they escaped the streets during the incident with the Hulk, crossed the street and approached Nero. "Now, excuse me." Then he turned around and continued to walk.

"Where do you think you're going?" Before the fair skinned guy stood in front of him.

"There." He pointed at Gwen's apartment with his index finger.

"First, we have some matters to resolve with you." The dark skinned boy stood next to the other boy.

Nero rolled his eyes. "I don't have time for this shit, get the fuck out of my sight before I beat your asses again." He threatened the two boys, because he didn't have time for that.

In response to that, the dark skinned boy lifted his hand up, revealing that he had a knife on his hand. A Smith & Wesson SW609. "Well, I think you're gonna make some time for us, won't you."

Nero simply gave a bored expression in response, before he reached inside of his jacket. "Please." Slightly pulled out the magnum revolver that was hidden inside of his jacket. He literally had to resist the urge to burst into laughter when the two idiots widened their eyes when they realized that he had a gun. Which allowed Nero to extend his hand and grab the knife off his hand by grabbing the blade in a swift move, that was only possible thanks to the glove that he was wearing. "Thanks for the knife." That was the last thing that he said to them before walking past them while he put the revolver back on his jacket and folded the folding knife. My lucky day. He thought as he placed his new knife inside of his jacket as well.

Moving towards the entrance of the apartment, Nero laughed quietly, because they were clearly unaware that the revolver only had one bullet. I got to get more ammo for target practice. Which was easier said than done as the ammunition for the Model 500 is hard to find.

Nero climbed the stairs and made his way to the floor where Gwen's apartment was located. Once he reached the floor however, he heard some loud shouting coming from one of the apartments. Upon reaching the door that wanted to reach, he realized that the shouting was coming from inside.

Oh shit... He thought in a slight worry as he placed his ear on the door to check what the shouting was about.

"I don't care about your problems!" He heard Mr. Stacy's voice. "We already solved everything when we signed the papers, now stay away from Gwen and I!"

"You think just because you got promoted into Chief of police, you can do whatever you want!" Then I heard a woman's voice. "I want what I'm entitled to!"

"You're entitled to shit!" Mr. Stacy replied angrily. "And I wasn't promoted to police chief!" He clarified that part. "I was promoted t-"

Nero decided to stop eavesdropping. It's probably Gwen's mother in there. It was his best guest. But I doubt Gwen is inside, so where... The boy with white hair then imagined where he would hide, if his parents were fighting like that. If he actually had any, that is.

...

Worth a shot... He thought after thinking carefully about where Gwen could possibly be.

So he went back to the stairs and began to climb it until he reached the rooftop of the building. I was right. The moment he passed through the door that leads to the rooftop, he moved his head to the left and saw Gwen sitting on the ground a few steps away from the door with her headphones on. She was wearing blue jeans, red sneakers and a white zip-up hoodie.

Nero smiled at the sight of his blond friend and proceeded to approach her. Sitting right in front of her as she was too distracted with the song that she was hearing.

After staring at her for a bit as she shakes her head while listening to music. He extended his hand and poked her nose. Causing her to open her blue eyes and realize his presence. She smiled and pulled her headphones down.

"Hey..." Gwen greeted him.

"Hi." He waved at her. "How long?"

"About twenty minutes." She really didn't seem bothered by it, which makes Nero think that she's used to it.

"Hmm..." Nero decided to press it further since she's clearly trying to ignore it. "I'm moving today."

"To that fancy school?" He actually already told her about it, but she thinks that it's some fancy school that he accepted rather than what it really is. "Congratulations, but spoiler alert, if it's full of privileged rich kids..."

"Yeah, that's something I'm kind of afraid of, but I'll manage." Nero was hoping that he didn't have to live with a bunch of spoiled jackasses. "I'll come visit you whenever I can." That was a promise that he made, since he also would like to visit some other friends.

"I'll hold you on that, since I'm gonna need a music partner." Her drum skills have been improving, mostly thanks to Nero's help.

"Speaking of music." He pulled the gig bag off his back and placed it on the ground. Opening up and revealing the guitar that she gifted him.

"What's that?" She noticed something else inside of the gig bag.

"A mini amplifier." Nero actually stole it from a jerkass guy in the subway that was yelling at an old man.

"Does that mean..." Gwen clearly knows why he was there.

Nero placed his guitar on the hop of his lap and connected to the mini amplifier.

Then, just like that, he began playing his guitar. Doing an interesting but somewhat intense solo in front of Gwen Stacy.

Fight and shine like a warrior

Then he began to sing.

Fly, and persist, to overcome any barrier

Nero closed his eyes and allowed the music to flow naturally.

Face your destiny without fear

He sang as loud as he could, as it fitted the song.

And you will be a winner with the light that guides you

The lyrics was something that he has been working on for a while, and despite still having doubts about it. He thinks that they are coming out just the way he wanted.

The dangers face, your spirit elevate

He shakes his head a bit, making his medium-length hair flow . He thought about growing his hair long, but medium-length was good enough for him.

And victory will come with tomorrow

He opened his gray eyes and stared at Gwen. Who had her fists on her chin, staring at him with her blue eyes as Nero played the song for her.

Gray Avenger (Avenger)

It used to be just Avenger, but Gray Avenger just sounds cooler for Nero.

A heart that can reach

The lyrics are a little cheesy, but it's his first song.

The flame that ignites hope

I'm still trying to understand what that dream was about. Was it really a premonition of the future or did I watch too many John Woo films?

Gray Avenger (Avenger)

I mean, it's weird, why was I shooting up that funeral? I mean there's no way that guy with the gray armor wasn't me. Right?

Your wings in the sky will open

Honestly, the most awesome part was that weird device on my wrist that shot web. I want one of those.

And hearts will smile again

I already figured out that the "powers" have a rule and circumstance that I need to follow. I just have to figure out what they are, and Professor Xavier said that he was going to help me with that. Which was the second major reason why Nero accepted the offer to join his school.

The look shining in the darkness

Looking at Gwen, he felt a little annoyed that he would be moving far away when their friendship was just starting to grow stronger.

It will show your value and all your purity

Fuck it, I'll come visit her as often as I can. He already decided that.

And the warrior's dream is not over

Gwen seemed to be enjoying the song, though Nero could tell that she liked the instrumental more than the lyrics.

Who will be a winner with friends to help

Though, I can't say that I'm not happy to be moving away from the orphanage. Despite the fact that he lived there his whole life. Especially since I will be living with Jean. That was the best part of it.

Never think about stopping, every barrier you encounter

No more family problems, just me and her. That was something that he was more than happy about, since Jean's family have been bringing her nothing but discontent.

You can take it down, when tomorrow comes

I do hope things improve overall and her sister gets better, because they seemed like a nice family. It was mostly Jean's sister hooking up with a bunch of older men that caused those problems.

Gray Avenger (Avenger)

I still don't know what happened to that pedophile asshole, hell, I even forgot his fucking name. Not that it matters, they probably locked him up in a cell and his cellmates probably beat the shit out of him for being a pedophile.

Hero who will forever fight

Weird, I'm thinking about Jean's family problems when I'm literally playing a song to another girl that also has family problems.

Honoring everything you believe in

Looking at Gwen's eyes as she smiled at him. Nero could only smile back.

Gray Avenger (Avenger)

Gwen's family problems are different, but I personally think no problem is better or worse. Just a problematic mother and an overworking father, but those are easily manageable.

Your courage is your power

Gwen seemed to be able to get through her family problems quite easily. Jean probably would do it too if things hadn't escalated to what it did.

Get up and choose the path to win

Nero played an intense guitar solo that Gwen clapped alongside it which fitted perfectly.

The dangers face, your spirit elevate

Then he sang once again.

And victory will come with tomorrow

And Gwen joined him and sang together.

Gray Avenger (Avenger)

The two friends sang along with the song that they practically composed together.

A heart that can reach

The cold wind of New York City gave quite the pleasant background for the song.

The flame that ignites hope

Though, Nero wonders how the song would sound with Gwen's drums included as he played.

Gray Avenger (Avenger)

Hearing Gwen saying that name just sounds right for some reason.

Your wings in the sky will open

Both moved their heads up simultaneously.

And hearts will smile again

They sang the last part as loud as they could. And with that, the song ended.

...

"So?" Nero asked her.

"Scale one to ten?" Gwen asked and he nodded in response. "Nine."

"Let me guess, it needs more..." He made a goofy face as he made an obvious implication.

"Drum, yes." Gwen confirmed with a smile.

Nero also smiled, before he moved a bit in order to sit beside her.

"Why Gray Avenger?" She asked him.

"I don't know." It used to be just "Avenger" but after that dream. The name changed.

"Considering your tendency of only wearing black and white, it kind of suits you." Gwen pointed out.

"I guess it does." Because she was right, though his underwear kind of contradicts that logic.

"It's a cool name though, it's like a superhero's name." It was her honest opinion.

"Hmmm..." Nero heard her words clearly. Superhero... That word echoed through his mind. Not in a million years. Before he completely pissed on the idea. "I still have a few hours before it's time for me to move." He pointed it out to her as a way to change the subject. "Wanna sing along some more?"

Gwen looked up and thought for a bit. With Nero reading her mind for a bit in order to see what song was she thinking about. And he started to play it on his guitar. "Did you read my mind or something?" It wasn't a serious question.

"Maybe..." He joked by telling the truth.

With that, Nero began playing the song Bring Me To Life by Evanescence.

After spending some quality time with Gwen Stacy until her mother left. Nero was forced to leave her in order to go make the final preparations for moving out of the Orphanage.

He managed to make his way back to the orphanage with an hour and a half left before it was time to go.

"All ready." He spoke out loud as he placed all of the stolen things that he had inside of his bag. Can't forget about any of it. Because if it got found, he would be in trouble.

Once it was all done, Nero decided to take a nap. Sister Maggie will wake me up when they get here. He thought.

Suddenly, someone opened the door. "Do you have a minute?" It was Sister Maggie, who entered his room without knocking.

"I guess..." He decided to let it slide, but only because he managed to hide his stuff.

"Sit down, there's something I need to tell you before you go." Sister Maggie sounded serious, and Nero really didn't like it. But he decided to comply, do he sat down on his bed.

"What is it?" Nero was curious to hear it, he could read her mind but he prefered to just hear it from her.

"Alright," She approached the bed and stood in front of it. "I was going to wait until you grew up to tell you this, but.. with you leaving today, I think it's time." Nero raised a brow in response as he was now very curious to know. "You already know a bit about your parents right?"

"Yeah," Knowing a bit was the right way to put it. "They were two junkies that ditched me in an apartment building." That was the only thing that he knew about them.

"That's the simple part, but..." Sister Maggie was clearly trying to find the right words. "The truth is... I actually knew your mother."

Nero widened his eyes in response to what he just heard. "What?!" He asked in deep shock. "All this damn time?!" Nero really had to control himself to not curse in front of her.

"I knew her even before you were born." She confessed. "You see, she actually had a part time job as a cleaning lady here in the orphanage."

"You got to..." Nero touched his face in deep frustration since that would explain why the staff always acted so differently towards him in comparison to the other orphans. The boy with white hair let out a sigh and asked. "What was her name?" He wanted to know that.

"Vesta," She revealed to him. "Vesta Carnby." Nero was surprised because he always assumed that Carnby was a fake name. FIgures, Vesta is the virgin goddess of the hearth, home, and family in Roman religion. He thought about the irony.

Nero did his best to digest what he just heard. He always wanted to know more about his parents, but now that he finally did, he has no idea how to react. "What else can you tell me about her?" Despite that, he wanted to know more.

"She..." Sister Maggie made a sad expression. "Was studying to become a teacher, a-" She was about to tell him what kind of teacher, but Nero guessed before she did.

"History teacher." Since it was kind of obvious.

Sister Maggie smiled. "The Roman Empire was one of her favorite subjects." She explained with a weak smile.

Nero gave her a similar weak smile before continuing. "What happened?" Because he knows what he ended up becoming later.

Sister Maggie made a face that clearly indicated some spitefulness. "Vesta was a very shy and reserved young woman, not that there's anything wrong with that, but they usually fall prey for certain types of..." Nero could tell where she was going with this.

" Assholes." There was no other way to describe it.

Despite giving him a. apprehensive look for cursing. "Basically." She agreed with him. "I only saw him once, but I only needed to take one good look to know the kind of person that he was."

Nero had an urge to read her mind to see what his dad looked like, but he decided against it, mostly because he didn't want to invade Sister Maggie's privacy.

"Vesta was always a nice girl, respectful, responsible and hard working." Sister Maggie seemed to remember his mother fondly. "But after meeting that man, she just allowed herself to turn into a very repulsive person."

So, my mother was a nice girl that ended up with a good for nothing asshole and he managed to get her hooked on drugs. The circumstances behind what happened to her made him furious. Though, something came into his mind and he decided to ask. "Didn't she have any family." The answer was obvious, and he really hoped that it was the case.

"Vesta was an only child." Sister Maggie explained. "Her father left both her and her mother when she was eleven and her mother passed away a few months before she started working here." Nero was relieved to hear that, because the only other explanation is that they didn't really want Nero.

However, hearing that also made Nero even angrier. Because his mother was clearly not in a good place during that time and it made her an easy target for that asshole to take advantage of her.

Nero could only let out another sigh, before asking her a painful question. "Do you know if she's dead?"

"I have no idea, but that's probably the case." She didn't say that to be rude, she just knows that Nero didn't want to hear any lies right now.

Nero could only look at the floor, upset over the fact that he finally knows about what happened to his mother. Sister Maggie simply touched his shoulder affectionately before speaking.

"I... Have a photo of her." She revealed it to him and he immediately moved his gray eyes up. "You should have it." The num reached inside of her pocket and pulled out a photograph. "It was taken during an event that happened at the church.

She held the photo backwards for Nero to grab it. The boy with white hair could only take a deep breath and reach for it. Once he had it in his hands, he simply stared at it for a bit. Let's see what you looked like... Mom. He thought as he flipped the photo over in order to see it.

...

"WHAT THE FUCK!" Those were the words that escaped Nero's lips as the boy widened his eyes in a state of deep shock after seeing that photo.

"What is it?!" His sudden outburst startled Sister Maggie.

"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!" But Nero didn't answer her question, instead, he stood up from the bed and rushed out of the room, running as quickly as he possibly could.

"Nero!" Ignoring Sister Maggie yelling his name.

Nero Carnby could only rush through the corridors of the orphanage, passing by several of the staff and other orphans, who just stared at him in deep confusion as the boy ran incredibly quickly. Eventually, he reached the front door of the Saint Agnes Orphanage and once he was out, he ran even faster than he did before. Surpassing the speed that he ran when the cops were after him on the day that he got his first kiss.

FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! That was the only thing in his mind as he ran.

Nero was hyperventilating, but it wasn't from all the running that he made, but it was from the shocking revelation of what his mother looked like. Holding the photo in his hand, which was shaking quite heavily. He took another look at what his mother looked like.

Vesta Carnby, in the photo at least, had fair skin, shoulder-length jet black hair that she was wearing in a tight ponytail, with deep dark eyes that were behind a pair of glasses. Appearance wise, she was a rather plain looking woman, wearing a modest outfit composed of a white sweater and a long black skirt. In the photo, she was standing in front of the orphanage with an adorable smile.

The reason why Nero was so shocked with that photo. Was because he saw that woman before, in a horrendous situation.

Taking deep breaths, Nero placed the photo inside of his jacket's pocket and prepared himself. In truth, he was standing in front of a door with the number 103. The same door that Gwen and Nero passed through on the day of the blackout and the Hulk's attack.

No going back now... That was the last thing that he thought before putting the hood on his head and knocking on the door. Having both of his hands closed into a fist, Nero prepared himself for whoever was going to answer the door.

Only for the door to open and Tall and lanky, pine skinned man wearing nothing but sweat pants appeared on the other side. "Who are you?" He asked.

Nero didn't respond, instead, he checked inside the room and noticed three more guys inside. He recognized one of them, the very skinny black guy, who seemed to be cooking something in the kitchen. The other was an old man with a long beard wearing an army coat that seemed to be in his sixties or more. Once he finished checking the inside, Nero read the tall guy's mind and saw something awful.

Yeah, suck on it. The image that appeared on his head made him vomit on the floor in front of the man.

"Stupid fucking kid." The man said in disgust before he shut the door on him.

Nero spit the remaining vomit that was in his mouth on the floor. Before cleaning his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket. Then he grinded his teeth in deep rage and proceeded to reach inside of the right pocket of his jeans and pulled out his cheap earphones. Placing them on his ear in order to protect himself from what was about to happen.

Then, once they were on, he bashed on the door as hard as he could with the bottom of his fist. Reaching inside of his jacket as soon as he heard steps coming from inside.

"You again?!" The tall guy opened the door once again. "What the fuck do you want, you stupid littl-" Before he could finish what he was saying.

"SUCK ON THIS!" Nero pulled out the magnum revolver from inside of his pocket and pressed into the man's stomach. Pulling the trigger with no hesitation and firing a .500 S&W Magnum round at the guy. The very loud sound of the gunshot echoed through the corridor, but thankfully, the cheap earphone was good enough to protect his ear from the loud noise.

"Ah-" The tall guy could barely react as the bullet went right through him and came out and even managed to go all the way to the window of the kitchen.

Startling the black guy with the STD infested dick, who immediately turned around and saw the tall guy falling on the floor. With the old man, who was sitting on the floor with a cigarette in his mouth, opening his mouth wide open and the lightened cigarette falling on the floor right away.

Nero, on the other hand, stepped inside of the apartment and put the magnum revolver inside of his jacket once again since it was empty, then he pulled out his newly acquired folding knife. Walking meanancly towards the black guy who was clearly still in shock over what just happened, possibly under the effect of tinnitus due to the loud gunshot that echoed through the room. Showing no reaction whatsoever when Nero closed the distance and stabbed him in the stomach. Piercing the folding knife deep into his stomach, as he was consumed by a fury after he saw what he and the other man did.

Pulling the knife off his stomach, Nero turned towards the old man, with a look that resembled the face of a predator ready to slaughter his prey. With the old man looking at him with a terrified expression as he crawled backwards. The black man fell on the floor soon after, holding his stomach while grunting in deep pain. Which served as a motivation for the old man to run away as fast as he could, leaving Nero alone with two men that were in deep agony on the floor.

But Nero ignored the two junkies and made his way towards the bedroom. Taking slow and careful steps while placing the knife back on his jacket, as he was afraid of what he was going to find there. Having no other choice, he opened the door of the bedroom, where he saw someone laying on the floor beside the bed.

Slowly, he approached, and found who he was looking for. It was an ugly woman, with unhealthy looking pale skin, disgusting looking hair that hadn't been washed in a long time, she was abnormally thin and weak looking, clearly in a state of emaciation. Nero could only watch in horror as the woman has been beaten to a pulp by the two man, which caused him to vomit earlier as he watched the two beaten and raping her inside of that room. Her face was bloody and completely swollen. Her body was clearly some type of internal bleeding due to the bruises that he could see on her stomach, and if he had to guess, she had one or a few broken ribs.

"Fucking fuck... Just fuck..." Nero kneeled down beside the woman. Because he didn't know if she was still alive. Thankfully, she was still breathing. "What do I do?" He asked himself in deep confusion, because he didn't know what he was supposed to do.

As he was pondering in desperation on what he was supposed to do, the woman opened her eyes. Clearly clueless of what the hell is going on. Until she moved her deep dark eyes to look at him.

"Can you hear me?" He asked her. "You're gonna be okay." The boy with white hair tried to comfort her as he held her hand tightly.

The woman opened her mouth, in a clear attempt to speak, but Nero was forced to look away as he saw that the woman had several of her teeth knocked out.

Fuck! What should I do?! Nero asked himself in deep desperation. Closing his eyes, he tried incredibly hard to come up with a solution.

...

Wait?! He finally thought of something. In that dream... The Gray Avenger teleported himself by conjuring a mental image of the place that he wanted to go. And now that he thought of it, that was basically what he did when he teleported out of Jean's room.

Opening his eyes, he realized that the woman had closed her eyes. "Hey!" Nero yelled at her. "Stay with me, don't pass out!" The boy tried to keep the woman awake. "Okay! Okay! Okay..." Closing his eyes, Nero tried to conjure a mental image. That hospital room that I stayed in, I remember... He imagined the room and wished to be there. Please... Please... Please... Practically begging, Nero held the woman's hand tightly as he tried to use his power.

Only for him to feel something familiar. A hot wind blowing through his body. Slowly, he opened his eyes, and realized that he was inside of the same hospital room. IT WORKED! Moving his head down, he realized that she was now laying on the hospital floor.

Nero wasted no time in standing up and making his way to the door. "HELP!" He yelled as loud as he possibly could. "SOMEONE HELP MY MOTHER!"

The woman that he just saved was none other than the woman from the photo, Vesta Carnby.

Oh boy, after a long and difficult consideration. I decided to not reboot this story. A lot of you enjoyed what I got going on here despite my personal insecurity in regards to how this story began. In truth, the reboot was set in stone but thanks to all of your support and suggestions, I simply decided to continue this as it is.

Though, I decided to include some of my old ideas into this story with a few alterations, as you already saw one of them in this chapter.

I decided to take the suggestion of a timeskip after the introduction of the X-Men, with Nero being trained to learn how to utilize some of his powers.

Also... That dream sequence with the Gray Avenger at the funeral... I just thought that was too awersome to discard it, so I simply implemented into this chapter. Please don't hate me for it. Thought, that does give a glimpse of what the Gray Avenger will be like when Nero finally take the mantle.