"we'll keep him safe, nat."
"This just in: we have exclusive footage revealing that Queens high school student Peter Parker is actually none other than the masked vigilante known as Spider-Man!" J. Jonah Jameson announced on the Daily Bugle's broadcast. "Not only that, but we have reason to believe that the web slinger is responsible for the death of the hero Mysterio, who valiantly gave his life to stop Parker from wreaking havoc across Europe!"
As the incriminating video played across screens all over New York, chaos and confusion erupted at Midtown High School. Peter's classmates stared at him in shock, mouths agape. Ned and MJ moved to stand protectively beside their friend as anxious whispers filled the room.
"No way..." Flash Thompson breathed, looking at Peter as if seeing him for the first time.
Peter just sat frozen in his seat, unable to process this life-altering news being broadcast to the entire world. This was his worst nightmare come true.
Meanwhile, at the Avengers compound, Natasha Romanoff watched the broadcast with dawning horror. That was her son on that video, her sweet boy Peter who she and the other Avengers had sworn to protect. Natasha sprang into action, grabbing her phone and dialing Tony Stark.
"Stark, please tell me you're seeing this," she said urgently.
Tony was already assembling the team. "Way ahead of you, Nat. We need to get to Peter now, before anyone else does."
Within minutes, the quinjet was preparing for takeoff with Natasha, Tony, Steve, Thor, Bruce and Clint on board. Natasha paced the floor anxiously during the whole flight to Queens, terrified of what might happen to her son. Clint put a steadying hand on her shoulder.
"We'll keep him safe, Nat. I promise."
As soon as the quinjet landed near Midtown High, the Avengers poured out, rushing into the school to find Peter already gone, spirited away by Happy Hogan. They headed straight for the tower where Happy informed them Peter was safely in the penthouse with Pepper and Aunt May.
Natasha practically collided with Peter in a fierce hug when she saw him. "Thank god you're alright," she breathed.
Peter hugged her back tightly. "Mom, what are we going to do? My life is over, everyone knows-"
"We are going to fix this," Natasha assured him firmly. She turned to Tony. "Stark, please tell me you have a plan."
"Always got a plan, Romanoff," Tony replied. He began directing the team to provide security for the tower. Peter's friends Ned and MJ had also been brought to the tower for their safety.
In another part of the city, Flash Thompson sat alone in his room, scrolling endlessly through news articles and social media posts about Spider-Man's identity reveal. Peter Parker. Puny Parker was Spider-Man, the hero who had helped save the universe. Flash thought back to all the times he had shoved Peter into lockers, mocked him, looked down on him. And Peter could have flattened him easily with his super strength. But he never did.
A sick feeling settled in Flash's gut. He had been so, so wrong about Peter. And he knew in that moment he would do everything he could to make it up to him.
Back at the tower, security was on high alert. Natasha stayed glued to Peter's side, relying on her training to remain calm and alert for any threats. She knew it was only a matter of time before the police showed up.
Sure enough, within the hour authorities had surrounded the building, demanding that Peter surrender himself into custody. Natasha's protective instincts flared up and she stormed over to confront them.
"You're not taking my son anywhere!" she shouted, guns drawn. Tony flew down in his Iron Man suit to intervene before things got out of hand.
"Whoa there, let's all just take a breath," he said, putting himself between Natasha and the police. "I think there's been a big misunderstanding here that we need to clear up."
After a tense conversation, Tony convinced the officers to stand down and give them a chance to handle the situation legally before taking action against Peter. Once they had reluctantly agreed, Tony called an emergency press conference.
Peter fidgeted nervously backstage, overwhelmed by everything happening. His mom squeezed his hand supportively.
"I'll be right here the whole time," Natasha promised. She kissed the top of his head as Tony stepped up to the mic, Pepper beside him.
"I'm sure you're all wondering about the shocking news today concerning Spider-Man's identity," Tony began. "I'm here first and foremost to confirm that Peter Parker is in fact Spider-Man."
Murmurs rose from the crowd. Tony raised a hand for silence.
"Not only that, but young Mr. Parker is the biological son of Natasha Romanoff, the Avenger known as Black Widow."
At her cue, Natasha joined Tony on stage with an arm wrapped protectively around Peter. More excited whispers erupted from the public. Natasha stepped forward to address them next.
"What I can tell you is that my son is a hero," she said firmly. "Everything you heard today about him being responsible for Mysterio's death is categorically false. Peter risked his life countless times this past year helping protect our world, not least of all from Thanos. He does not deserve your condemnation - he deserves your thanks."
When Pepper took the mic, her voice rang through clear and strong. "Stark Industries fully supports Spider-Man. We do not understand why the public is suddenly turning against this brave young man, but we intend to get to the bottom of it."
She glanced at Tony, who stepped forward again with a fierce expression. "Oh we'll get to the bottom of it alright. I'm announcing here and now that Stark Industries will be pressing charges and filing a major lawsuit against one J. Jonah Jameson and the Daily Bugle for endangering a minor and false defamation of character."
The crowd erupted into chaotic excitement at Tony's pronouncement. Meanwhile, two people sat watching the broadcast with great interest - Matt Murdock and Jennifer Walters. Matt turned off the TV with a thoughtful look.
"What do you say, Jen? Feel like helping Spider-Man out in court?"
Jen Walters smirked and cracked her knuckles. "Oh definitely. Jameson doesn't stand a chance against us."
Over the next several days, tensions continued to run high. Protestors surrounded Stark Tower, though the Avengers repelled any attempts to get to Peter. Natasha barely let Peter out of her sight, simultaneously wanting to wrap him in bubble wrap and teach him ten new ways to incapacitate an attacker.
Finally the day came for the Stark Industries lawsuit against Jameson and the Daily Bugle to begin. Peter fidgeted anxiously in an uncomfortable suit as he sat beside Tony and Pepper in the courtroom. Natasha sat right behind him for moral support, flanked by the rest of the Avengers.
Once Matt Murdock and Jennifer Walters had utterly decimated Jameson's credibility on the witness stand, systematically punching holes in all his supposed evidence, Tony took the stand and delivered a finishing blow.
"My team analyzed that video footage Jameson keeps using to blame Spider-Man, and it's an utter fabrication," Tony revealed. "Totally doctored. I suspect by parties who want to discredit Mr. Parker, but we will find the truth."
The judge nodded gravely. "In light of all the evidence, I have no choice but to conclude that Mr. Jameson recklessly and knowingly distributed false information that endangered and defamed a minor. I hereby find in favor of Stark Industries."
The courtroom erupted into cheers. Peter's shoulders sagged in relief as Natasha hugged him tight. They had done it. His name was cleared, thanks to his amazing extended super family.
Over the next few weeks, Peter's life slowly returned to normal. The public controversy died down, thanks in large part to Tony's legal team keeping the pressure on Jameson. Peter was able to go back to school with Ned and MJ supporting him all the way.
On his first day back, Flash Thompson tentatively approached Peter before class. "Hey Parker. Uh, I mean, Peter," Flash stammered awkwardly. "Look, I just wanted to apologize for, well, everything. All the crap I gave you over the years. I had no clue you were, you know, Spider-Man. And Black Widow's son! And you could've easily kicked my ass but you didn't, so, uh...I'm really sorry."
Peter studied him for a moment, then broke into a grin. "It's okay, Flash. Apology accepted." He held out his hand, and Flash shook it gratefully.
From then on, Flash Thompson was welcomed as an honorary member of Peter's friend group alongside Ned and MJ. And if anyone ever tried messing with Peter again, a furious Natasha Romanoff made sure they regretted it. No one was going to threaten her spider baby ever again.