Amazing Spider-Man: True Purpose

(Peter's Apartment)

It's early in the morning when the sound of locks tumbling and the apartment door opening echo through Peter's apartment. He enters with a tired look before he closes the door. He places some bags on the floor before he places a large moving duffel bag on his kitchen counter. He opens it up, and out pops a little shark with legs.

"Okay, Jeff," he says as he watches the creature hop off his counter and explore his apartment, "Don't get too comfortable here. This is just a pit stop before I take you to the Avengers Mansion."

Jeff, as he has been named, doesn't react to his words. He just continues to explore his apartment. Peter watches him and wonders how this is going to work. He can't keep a constant eye on the unusual animal, what with work and his plans to go back to school next week. But since it is now attached to him, he doesn't have much of a choice.

It wasn't much of a conversation with Peter and the girls about what they were going to do with the shark, so much as him having to accept the fact that he now has a pet land shark. Since neither MJ nor Felicia can care for him without drawing attention, even in Felicia's case with her living in a penthouse apartment. In her words, privacy isn't the issue, as much as her lease does not allow pets.

Anyway, Peter was now stuck with the baby shark for the foreseeable future. Not that he is bothered or annoyed, but more concerned. He has never had a pet anything before, and that's because even though he is all about responsibility, he can't take care of a pet because of his other responsibilities. Fortunately, he doesn't have to do it alone since both MJ and Felicia said they'd watch Jeff when they can.

That was another oddity. His naming Jeff was more of a joke than anything. MJ and Felicia were suggesting names and Peter threw it out as a joke. It got a happy reaction out of the shark, evident with the wagging tail and all, but it was still weird. Only because it wasn't a typical pet name.

Then again, Jeff isn't a typical pet.

Bringing his attention back to the present, Peter observes the baby shark as he continues to wander around his apartment before it heads into his bedroom.

"Don't tear up anything in there!" He calls out to it before he heads to the couch and collapses on it with a sigh of exhaustion.

The vacation was relatively relaxing, more so towards the end, but this new addition to his life made the very end not as enjoyable. Now he is wondering how he'll manage. A pet is a huge responsibility, and it's not a dog or cat or any normal animal. It's a shark with legs! What was he supposed to do if and when Jeff got sick? Could a regular vet help, or would he need to go to a marine biologist? Not to mention he has to feed it. So far, he's been lucky that he caught fish on the way back, but what if Jeff gets a craving for something he's not supposed to eat? Like other pet animals or their owners?

He groans, rubs his eyes, and leans back on his couch, "Why is nothing ever simple in my life?"

A question he has been asking for years and has never received an answer.

The sound of his window sliding open makes him tilt his head to the side to see another issue he has to deal with that he forgot about. His past younger self, who is currently climbing into his apartment. But what really catches his attention is the fact that his outfit isn't the typical red and blue spandex Peter is known for; instead, the younger version of him is wearing his old Iron Spider suit. The one he got from Tony a few ways back.

Peter can guess why the young him has it and decides not to dwell on it too much. As long as it protects him better and provides him with what he needs to be a better Spider-Man than Peter is fine with it. He recalls the benefits the suit has anyways.

The younger version of him doesn't seem to notice Peter is there as he heads over to his fridge and opens it. The young man starts making a sandwich with food Peter doesn't remember having in there.

"When did I get salami and ham?" Peter questions making the young him jump in surprise as he finally notices he's not alone.

Pete quickly gets over his surprise and becomes elated at seeing his older self, "Hey, your back!" He exclaims happily as he continues to make a sandwich, "How'd it go? Do anything I should know about?"

"Not at your age," Peter retorts and gets up from the couch, "So, did you go shopping?"

The younger him pulls of his mask and gives the older man a dubious look, "Uh yeah! Dude you had two eggs and a ham in there and they were green."

Peter scrunches his brows at him, offended by the notion, and says, "They were not."

Pete gives him a condescending look before he reaches down into the cabinet by his legs and pulls out a sealed plastic bag that has in fact two eggs and a ham inside and they were in fact green.

Peter stares blankly at the spoiled food, "Huh, I'll be darned," he says. In his defense, he doesn't really eat in his apartment so his fridge is hardly ever stocked. He goes back to the couch and asks, "So, how did you buy that stuff?"

Pete tosses the spoiled food into the trash bin by the fridge, and answers, "Mr. Stark and Mr. Rogers were cool with me taking things from the mansion."

Peter looks at his younger self curiously, "You call them Mr?"

He doesn't remember being very respectful to adults at this age. He remembers being cocky and angry, particularly to older fellow heroes who thought him an amateur and such.

"Oh, I do that to annoy them," Pete clarifies, amusement on his face, "See, Mr. Stark hates it because it makes him seem old, and Mr. Rogers hates it because of-"

""Mr. Rogers."" Both of them finish the sentence and share a laugh. That is actually quite clever on his mini-me part.

It was at this point Peter noticed the red light blinking on his answering machine by his couch. He presses the button to hear them and it goes, "You have three new messages."

BEEP! "Peter? Are you there? I wanted to talk to check up on you. It's been a few weeks since we spoke and I'm very worried. Please call me back."

Oh crap! It has been a minute since he last spoke to his Aunt May! With everything that's been going on she slipped his mind. God, What is wrong with him?!

BEEP! "Parker! Where've you been?! Never mind that! Listen! I have this great idea for the new team Avengers announcement that'll get some solid endorsements! Meet with me at the mansion before the official announcement!"

Oy vey, Jameson now being friends with Spider-Man means he'll treat the hero like he treated Peter Parker. As an employee.

BEEP! "Peter? It's Max. You forgot to turn in the paperwork for double checking Grady's numbers on his time door. I know the project was scrapped, no pun intended, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have some application we can explore more. Call me."

Well, as far as tasks go, that is by far the easiest thing he can deal with today. But he will have to talk to Max about wanting to explore the possibilities of the time door more. Eternity is mad enough as is with humanity, and Peter would rather not provoke the universe anymore if he can help it.

'And yet, the universe torments me anyways,' he morbidly thinks to himself.

The sound of chewing makes him look at one of the ire's Eternity has to put up with, and said ire is sitting cross legged on the counter with a sandwich in hand, "You know you shouldn't ignore Aunt May so much," he says with a mouth full of food, "She won't always be here."

He tries not to flinch at the comment. He knows his mini-me is right. He wants to tell her, but his concern for her well-being always makes him hesitate. But after everything, he has to come clean with her. Not just for his own sake but for hers as well. Aunt May is his mother; she raised and nurtured him. And as much as it pains him to admit it, Mephisto was right. He knows she blames herself for all of his shortcomings, for not living up to his full potential like she and so many others knew he had.

With resolve, he picks up the phone and dials her number. It rings a few times before he gets her answering machine, "Hey Aunt May, I got your message," he starts, sounding very guilty, "Sorry, I've been really busy. But I'm free later. Let's have dinner. I'll stop by. Love you."

He hangs up and lets out a sigh. The wieght of what he is going to do is heavy on his shoulders. He is going to tell her. He is going to reveal his Spider-Man secret to her. It's been years and it should've happened sooner, well before Jameson that's for sure, but it doesn't matter because it's happening. At least, that's what he keeps telling himself.

He knows what he should do and what he wants to do, and they're both the same thing, which is a rarity for him. But that is not the issue. The real issue is whether or not he can live with the outcome of this decision. Telling Aunt May he is Spider-Man and has been since he was a teenager is a lot harder than it was telling Jameson. And that came with the threat of public exposure.

The reasons for his concern are many. For one, Aunt May's health. That had always been the crux of his worry, that revealing his secret could cause an episode. Or that his activities could. Hell, Mary Jane always worries, and he is afraid that that worry will kill her, too, eventually.

The next is her reaction. Of course, she would be proud of him, but his mind still pictures her horror even though he knows she wouldn't react that way. Mary Jane even said that in their last life, May knew the truth and did her best to support him. He can imagine that woman going to Jameson and telling him off over the years of slander he said about Peter, which puts a smile on his face.

As good as that sounds though, the next reason makes his smile disappear. Because it is possibly the biggest reason why he hasn't revealed his secret to her. He wanted to protect her from this life, he wanted her to have some sense of normalcy. He doesn't want to burden her with the same problems that plague him and those close to him everyday. Hell, he couldn't even go on a vacation without it turning into a whole thing that included gods and assassins.

Then again, what the heck is normal for him? Normal has never been a part of his life. As Peter Parker, what has he done that was normal? He was a nerd who dated a famous actress and supermodel, and his parents were spies for god's sake! Did he ever really have a chance at being normal?

The more he thinks about it, the more he feels like he is talking himself out of telling Aunt May. Maybe he has some good points, but at the same time, maybe he doesn't. In the end, it's not just about protecting her but also about something deeper than that.

Of course, he is worried about revealing one tidbit of information. He and Mary Jane are dating again, which would elate May, but when they say that Sonja and Felicia are also involved, it might bring a different reaction out of her. The latter May has met, and the former she has not. But regardless, Peter does not know how May would react. He can't even begin to guess what she would think of this unorthodox relationship of theirs. What would she say? What should Peter and the girls say? What could they say? Would May ultimately approve or disapprove?

What will her reactions be to all of that? Being dumped such news all at once. It won't be easy for the woman to process, but Peter knows and acknowledges that, and he is hoping to soften the blow with some good news, like him going back to school. A weak bit of news, but it's all he's really got.

He groans. It doesn't do him any good to speculate when he still has so many other things to deal with

before he can talk to May. Much as it hurts to say, talking to her can wait while he deals with all the other situations he's got going on.

One such issue speaks up, "So you're going to tell her?" His mini me asks from his spot on the counter. Having been waiting for the older man to say something.

"Yeah," Peter responds with a sigh, "I feel like it's time. So much has happened, and I want her to be a part of my life again," not wanting to get into more details, he shifts his focus to his younger self, "So what'd you get up to while I was away,"

Pete shrugs, "Not much," he answers casually, "Stopped a few crimes, punched Shocker a few times, he still favors his left I see, and got involved in a flag football game between the Avengers Academy and X-Men School."

Peter looks at Pete curiously, "Flag football?"

Pete finishes off his sandwich and nods enthusiastically, "Yeah! That smelly gremlin, Logan, said he wanted to mend fences between the heroes, and what better way than to start with the kids? It was a lot of fun."

Huh. Peter wonders where Logan got that idea from. Man isn't the most social of the heroes, 'Then again, he's had about as many team-ups as me,' he muses. This makes him sad because as he thinks about it some more, the other heroes like Logan better than him. And unlike Logan, Peter is super friendly!

"Ahh!" Pete's sudden shout makes Peter whip his head to the his mini me pointing at Jeff, "What the heck is that!?"

The shark just sits calmly on the counter, "Oh yeah," Peter mumbles before he nonchalantly makes an introduction, "Mini-me, meet Jeff. Jeff, meet little Pete."

Peter watches the two stare at each other, the teen stares in bewilderment and in fright at the baby shark while it looks back at him curiously. It's wide black eyes focused on the teen before looking at the older man, "Mrrr?"

The sound it made almost made it seem like it was asking a question. Peter assumes it's confused with the similar scent he and his past self are giving off, likely confusing Jeff.

"He followed us home," Peter tells his still-stunned mini-me, "We met him on an island, and he grew attached to us. Mostly MJ."

Pete stares at the animal with apprehension and asks, "Are you keeping him here?"

"Of course not," Peter immediately states, "I'm gonna take him over to the Avengers Mansion. My lease doesn't allow for cats or dogs, you think they'll make an exception for sharks?" His bad joke said, he stands up and goes to his room, "I'm gonna go get dressed. Feed him something." He exits without another word.

The time-displaced Spider-Man, now going by Iron Spider, watches his older self go into his bedroom before the teen looks at the baby shark named Jeff, weird by the way, with apprehension.

"You eat meat, right?" Pete asks, feeling rather stupid too, since it's a damn shark. Of course it eats meat!

The thing sticks its tongue out and wags its tail, a clear sign of its desire. Pete goes to the fridge and pulls out a pack of baloney and dumps it on the counter in front of the sea creature. Jeff sniffs the meat before he gobbles it up rather viscously but in a cute way.

Pete watches it for a moment before hesitantly putting his hand on the shark's head to pet it. His older self assured him it was safe. The shark tilts its head at the appendage before it leans its snout into the teenager's palm.

Pete smiles and pets the shark affectionately, "Aw, you are a friendly little guy."

He does this for a few more moments before he hears the creaking floorboards. When Pete turns to see his older self standing at the doorway of the bedroom, he breaks out in a cold sweat. In the man's hand is a box he found while he was staying in the apartment. A box that contained the older man's spandex and sewing kit. And unfortunately, another item Pete forgot to put back before Peter came back.

"Peter," his older self says calmly, but for some reason, the younger hero's spider-sense is tingling a bit, "Did you open this?"

Pete begins to sweat bullets as his eyes dart between his older self and the open window that is his only source of a quick escape. His spider-sense is tingling like crazy, warning him of imminent danger.

"There was a tape in here," Peter informs him before he tilts his head and asks, "Where is it now?"

Pete unintentionally lets his eyes quickly shift to the VCR that is under the television set. It may have been for less than a second but his older self now has his eyes set on the device before he slowly turns his sights back to the teen.

"Run fast and run far. Now."

He didn't need to be told twice.

He leaps from his seated position out the window like a bullet out of a gun.

Maybe at the Avengers Mansion he'll be safe with the other heroes.

(Avengers Mansion)

Half an hour later, Spider-Man lands on the front lawn of the iconic mansion that he owns, symbolically of course, with Jeff the shark under his arm. He sets him down, and the animal excitedly runs across the large lawn, like a dog excited to explore its new environment, with its tongue flapping in the wind. The little animal even hops in the extravagant fountain at the center of the front lawn.

Spider-Man walks up to it and looks in to see Jeff submerged before he resurfaces, "Don't eat any fish you find in there or keep any spare change," he jokes at him, "People get so judgmental when you take money out of a fountain."

Jeff tilts his head at him, "Mrr?"

Spider-Man shakes his head and gives the shark a wry smile, "Never mind. People don't think I'm funny, I doubt a shark would either," he says, half despondently, before he walks past the fountain, "C'mon, boy. We got introductions to make. Hopefully, nobody will be too weirded out by you."

Then again, his friends have seen plenty of weird stuff. Why would a shark with legs weird them out?

He walks up to the large double doors with a wet Jeff by his legs and opens it, "Hey everyone! Your favorite webswinging-what?" He announces before he stops when he sees an interesting sight.

Rogue, with her back to him at the intersection where the split stairs meet, is hanging a large portrait of Charles Xavier and the Avengers painting is on the floor next to her. She doesn't even turn around to look at him or acknowledge him. The portrait itself is of Charles in his chair by a fireplace, his hands clasped in front of his face, as if he were in thought.

He hears some footsteps come from the foyer but doesn't turn to look, "Hey, Spider-Man!" Havok's voice sounds out as he exits the foyer, "How's it go…ing?" He stumbles when he sees a shark, "The heck is that?"

Spider-Man introduces his pet, "This is Jeff. He followed us home," he keeps his eyes to the portrait and asks, "What's with this?"

Finally, Rogue turns around and crosses her arms at him. "Got a problem?" she asks challengingly.

Recognizing the hostility in her tone, he chooses to do his usual thing when faced with hostility, "Well, I mean, it is my mansion now," he says as he squints his eyes, "I don't know how I feel when I enter and the first thing I see is a thoughtful old man in a wheelchair."

Tell bad jokes and see how that goes.

And it goes as it usually does as Rogue glares at him, obviously she did not find his quip to be funny, and states, "Well it is Charles' dream that we are making come true."

"Don't we all share that same dream?" Spider-Man quips and gets a mock speaking voice, "Don't we all wish we all could get along with our fellow man and woman? To live in a world where one isn't judged by physical characteristics but instead by their character?"

Both Alex and Rogue give the hero strange expressions before another voice speaks out, "For the love of god, tell me that is not part of the speech you plan to give today at the press conference."

Spider-Man turns his attention to Tony walking out of the foyer with Thor and Carol, and when Carol sees what's going on, she gives the southern mutant a sharp glare.

"Morning, guys," the masked hero greets jubilantly, "And no, I won't be that tacky. I'll do what I do best."

"Make bad jokes that infuriate everyone around you?" Carol comments as she glances at him.

Spider-Man frowns at her, "No," he responds indignantly before he holds his head up proudly, "Be hilarious and make everyone laugh."

"You'd have an easier time making them laugh at you and not with you," Logan says as he comes out of the kitchen.

Spider-Man grumbles at the feral mutant, "Alright," he announces and crosses his arms, "New house rule. No ganging up on the team leader. It's just mean."

They roll their eyes at him as Carol turns her attention back to her rival. She shifts her eyes between Rogue and the Avengers painting she took down, "You know that painting has been up there for years."

Rogue gives the blonde heroine a dismissive shrug and look, "So? Things change," she says condescendingly, "Some might even say for the better."

Carol gives a glare to Rogue, but Rogue doesn't back down and returns the glare. Spider-Man sees the two clearly have some deep-rooted issues between them that need to be solved if there is any chance of coalition in the team. Being the leader means he has to be the problem solver when it comes to disputes. At least, that's what he's picked up from watching Captain America over the years. The man always got in the middle of confrontations between team members and acted as a mediator.

'Course I was always more of an agitator than a problem solver,' Spider-Man reminds himself before he speaks up, "Hey, I have an idea," he raises his hand to get their attention, "Why don't we hang the both of them up together? To show unity."

That suggestion doesn't seem to do the job since Rogue gives the hero a condescending glare, "Ah don't think so. It would look real crowded."

"Just like this place now," Captain Marvel says.

"Aren't there like thirty bedrooms here?" Spider-Man jokingly inquires but is ignored by the two.

Carol takes a step towards the southern girl, "Fortunately the solution is simple enough," she says as her hands power up, "We just get rid of anything that's unwanted."

"Woah there, Danvers," Spider-Man quickly steps in front of Carol with his hands up to stop her. He gives the heroine a hard look as he tells her, "Turn off the light show. One thing I'm not gonna put up with on this team is infighting," he looks back at his hostile team member and gives her the same look, "And frankly, Rogue, if you're gonna be more of a problem than a team player, then leave now."

Rogue returns the look, and Peter wonders why the girl is still hostile toward him. He figured that since she decided to be a part of a team he's leading, she had had enough time to simmer down her anger over him being alive and not Charles. Which is really unreasonable, considering it wasn't actually a choice of who got to come back.

But then again, unreasonable anger towards him is his bread and butter.

"Fine," Rogue finally says, but her tone tells him it's anything but fine, "Whatevah you say, boss."

It's probably the best he's gonna get out of her so he'll take it. "Thank you," he says to her.

At this point, Wanda walks out of the kitchen with Hope beside her and looks at the assembled group curiously. "Did you all know there is a baby shark with legs in the kitchen?" She inquires.

"That's Jeff," Spider-Man informs her, "He followed me home."

Rogue decides to address this, "So you're just letting dangerous animals stay here?"

"I let Logan stay," Spider-Man jokingly retorts as he thumbs at the feral mutant, "And unlike him, Jeff

likes to bathe."

Logan gives him a bland look that says he doesn't appreciate the cheap shot, while mostly everyone else snorts in amusement.

"Besides," the webhead continues, "Jeff is harmless and super friendly."

"What da-?! Hey, dat's mine!" The Thing's rough voice echoes before the large rock hero comes running out of the kitchen chasing after the small baby shark, who has a large hoagie in his mouth, and they both run into the living room, "Come back here wit dat, you little-!"

The other heroes watch the muscle of their team go after the shark with legs before they turn their attention back to the hero that brought the animal into the house.

Said hero gestures to the scene, "See~, he's already made friends with Ben," Spider-Man quips. They all give him peculiar looks, and he takes it in stride. He did expect this.

Jonah walks out from the living room with someone Peter wasn't expecting to see. Sliver Sable. They both have their heads turned to the living room before the mayor looks at the assembled heroes, "Can someone explain to me why I saw Ben Grimm chasing a shark with legs and a sandwich in its mouth."

"Just another day in the life of superheroes," Spider-Man responds casually before he looks at the mercenary who is still looking back in the living room, "Hey, Silver."

She doesn't look at him as she greets him, "Spider-Man."

Spider-Man looks at her curiously, wondering why she is still in New York. Jonah hired her to find information on Fisk but he figured the man would be his usual cheap self and send the mercenary on her way once he got the information, which she did before the hero left for his spontaneous vacation.

As he looks at her though, he can't help but think back to what happened before he left. Her confession to him basically. Stating that she hasn't stopped thinking about the kiss they shared not too long ago.

He won't lie and say it was constantly on his mind, but every once in awhile it did pop up. Mostly when he was with the girls. He told them as much during the last days of their vacation and they told him to talk to the Symkarian native.

"Do you mind explaining what that was?" Jonah's voice brings him back to the present.

And Peter decides to answer in his usual manner, "That was Jeff. He's a stray that followed me home."

Jameson gives his step-cousin a strange look and asks, "From where?"

"A hidden magical island off the coast that was created by the goddess Gaea for a Greek man and his family."

Now, everyone gives him bizarre looks.

"It was a lot more fun than it sounds."

Jonah shakes his head and rubs his forehead to likely try and relieve an oncoming headache he's getting from having to deal with his former employee's shenanigans, "Is this a regular thing with you?" He exhaustively asks.

"If you mean magical islands specifically then no," Spider-Man says casually, "If you mean general weirdness, then yes."

It's hidden by his mask, but he has a small smile of amusement from watching Jameson react to hearing of his adventures first hand. Now the man can't say he is making up nonsense to cover up something nefarious. Especially with such evidence like Jeff running around.

Silver looks at him and informs him, "You should be more careful. I nearly shot the animal when I saw it."

Spider-Man tilts his head at the mercenary, "Why would you do that? Jeff is harmless."

The Thing walks out of the foyer with Jeff sitting in the palm of his hand and half of his sandwich in his other one. Jeff has his tongue out and is wagging his tail happily, clearly having enjoyed the chase. Ben Grimm on the other hand is more annoyed. And it's directed at the web swinger.

He holds out Jeff to Spider-Man and asks, "'Dis yours?"

The hero shifts his eyes between the two before he responds, "Why do you assume he's mine?" He points to Logan and Rogue, "They're from a school that has a dragon, a floating booger, and Logan is the principal. Weirdness is their bread and butter."

Now both Logan and Rogue are glaring at the hero as Ben places the shark on the table of the foyer.

"Keep him away from my food," Ben simply says before walking away.

Peter looks at the shark, "You are gonna be a lot of trouble aren't you?"

Jeff continues to pant and wag his tail.

Spider-Man sighs. "I guess that's appropriate since I'm your owner now," he says before he calls his hands and announces, "Okay, team meeting. Everyone into the situation room."

He watches them file out into the den to head towards the elevator. Tony hangs back to hand him some files, "Well have fun with your meeting," he says, "When your done, I'll meet you in the elevators. I got something I want to show you."

Spider-Man looks at him curiously for a moment before he opens the file on Red Skull. 'Oh joy, homework.'

(Avengers Mansion Meeting Room)

Jameson watches as the heroes converse and file in while awaiting for this meeting to be called to order. He isn't nervous or worried about how this meeting will go. He has been preparing for this after his interview with Spider-Man. He agreed to sponsor this new team after he finished his interview with the masked hero. It was a very informative and enlightening interview that changed his perspective on so many things, like how the Avengers can help not just by saving the world but by being an inspiration for the next generation of powered individuals. That got him thinking about how to better manage this new team that consists of both Avengers and X-Men.

A team that is meant to be more of a PR stunt than anything, but a very important one at that. It's to show mutants and non-mutants can cohabitate and work together. A Unity Team.

'I'll have to come up with a better name than that,' he thinks to himself, 'Captain Rogers is a man of many talents but branding is not one of them.'

This was one of the many matters he is going to be bringing up in this meeting. Granted it's one of the more minor ones, but he feels it's still important to discuss. Only because he wants the best outcome for this new team that his former employee will be leading. However he will bring up the more important points first and make sure this team understands what he expects from them.

"Alright," Spider-Man's voice takes him out of his thoughts. He watches as his secret former employee stands straight at the head of the table, looking around the room at his fellow heroes. Jonah is at his right with Silver Sable behind the mayor, "I hereby call this Unity Team meeting to order. Please be seated."

Jameson raises a brow when he sees the other heroes give Parker various peculiar looks as if what he said is something they aren't used to hearing in general.

He hears the gruff voice of the Wolverine speak up, "Bub, if you want us to take you seriously, then you want to avoid sounding serious. It's not your style."

Spider-Man, offended by the notion, crosses his arms and huffs, "I can be serious."

Everyone, including Jameson, gives the hero dull looks.

"Oh, just sit down!" Spider-Man commands rather childishly, in Jameson's opinion.

Some of the others chuckle or huff in amusement, except for one. The woman with the white streak in her hair. Rogue. She keeps the same hard look she had when she walked in here as she sits down along with the others and himself.

Jonah doesn't know much about the X-Men member other than the fact she used to be of the mutant terrorist group known as the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. A supremacist group like all the others in his opinion. Deeming anyone that isn't like them or not on their side to be their enemy, 'Not much better than the Church of Humanity.'

But that is her past, as far as he can tell. So long as she doesn't give reasons for him to doubt her, then he's okay with her.

"Okay," Spider-Man starts, "There are a lot of things we need to go over before we go to the press conference and make the official announcement. I wanted to add another member to this team before this was official, but we'll make do," Jameson does not like how cavalier the hero is being, "First and foremost is what our official role is."

Jameson raises a brow, that is not something he was aware had to be discussed, "What do you mean role?" He questions.

Spider-Man folds his hands on the table and looks at Jonah as he explains, "To put it simply, what we will be focusing on primarily. Right now there are two major problems we need to deal with. Red Skull is one."

At the mention of the former Nazi leader, Jonah hears a low growl coming from the Wolverine. He looks and sees he, along with Rogue and Wanda, have murderous expressions on their faces. He can understand why too. That man mind controlled so many people to kill mutants and anyone defending them in a single day. And these two women he made sure to stand there and take the underserved abuse from him and other angry citizens.

He debated whether or not he should apologize for that when he came by.

Spider-Man pulls out the file Thor gave him, "Steve left me a file on the man," he informs them and places the file on the table, "He's adamant that we catch him before he makes another move." He then sighs and continues, "Unfortunately, there isn't much we can go on right now. Skull is laying low and likely licking his wounds after the ass kicking we gave him and his goons."

Some of the heroes huff amusement at the statement as one speaks up, "He won't stay that way for long," Wolverine's gruff voices sounds out, "I don't know him like Steve does, but I've fought in the war against that sick bastard and Steve talks plenty about him."

"So any useful insights you can offer?" Spider-Man inquires.

Everyone's attention turns to the old mutant as he gets a troubled look, "For one thing, something is off about him now. Last time we saw him, he wasn't that supremacist he was back in the war. He was all about world domination and using all sorts of means of power to do it. But that day, it was like traveling back in time. Which makes no sense."

"He was dead," Thor speaks up this time and now everyone looks to him as the Norse god has a grave expression, "Captain Roger shared this news with us some time ago. How he came back is the true mystery."

"One we will deal with," their leader assures them. He then sighs and gets a reluctant, "But unfortunately with nothing to go on for now, we'll divert our attention elsewhere.

Rogue seems especially bothered by this notion, "Where the hell else is ar attention suppose ta go?"

Spider-Man takes a deep breath and says, "Wilson Fisk."

Jonah sees most of the heroes give him curious looks. Clearly wondering why the need to go after a crime boss requires a team like the Avengers.

Rogue looks affronted by the notion, "The Kingpin?" She says incredulously, "Are ya kidding meh? You want us tah waste time on some local crime boss?"

"He's not local anymore from what I've heard," Spider-Man says in a light tone, "He's been expanding and branching out into new territory."

Jameson gives the hero a curious look, he wasn't aware of that. He only knew what he heard about the crime boss through the grapevine. That he has been quiet for the most part since the Spider Island incident. Barely a peep about any activities. Granted he hasn't been actively looking into it or had anyone else for that matter, even after Sable found he smuggled that bomb for the but he figured the police would be dealing with it.

"So what?" Rogue says challengingly, "Let the feds and other heroes deal with him. Why do we have to care?"

"For one thing he smuggled a nuclear weapon into the city," Sable speaks up for the first time since the meeting started, shocking all but one into silence.

They all stare at Jonah hired mercenary in shocked silence, unable to believe her words. Jonah however is just shocked she'd divulge confidential information like that! Even if it's to a team of heroes he is sponsoring.

"What?" Ben Grimm breaks the silence with a stunned whisper. He stares at the Symkarian native in shock, "Yur kiddin', right?"

Spider-Man releases a reluctant sigh and says, "'Fraid not, big guy. It was during the Symkaria parade that we fought the Flag Smashers who had the bomb and we're going to detonate it at the parade."

"Mayor Jameson here," Sable picks up the explanation and gestures to the former editor, "Hired me to investigate how such a thing was smuggled into the city. My investigation uncovered that it was Wilson Fisk who brought it into the city," she then gives Rogue a stern look, "So as you can see, the man must be taken very seriously."

Jameson sees the mutant woman give a stubborn frown back at the mercenary. He figures she doesn't want to admit how wrong she was in her initial assessment. But he doesn't care about that. He is concerned that Sable unilaterally decided to reveal such sensitive information.

Jameson views himself as the man of the people. Delivering the truth and remaining steadfast in his endeavors to help the people of his beloved city to stay informed, for the most part. He is not a fool. He knows what certain information can do if released to the public. Panic and mass hysteria are just some of the few minor issues that would and could happen, and those are manageable in New York with proper resources and leadership.

Fortunately, these people can keep this amongst themselves. Secrecy seems to be par for the course when it comes to these heroes and their activities.

That doesn't mean he'll let all their activities be hidden from the public. Afterall, this team is meant to be a representation of unity between mutant and non-mutant. Which is why he came up with some ideas to better help this team.

Jameson clears his throat loudly to grab all of the heroes in the room's attention, "Let's move on from that for now," he tells them before he stands up, "I want to discuss some ideas I came up with that'll really boost support for this team."

"Oh was that you?" Spider-Man sarcastically questions, "It's so weird, cause that person didn't leave a name. There was just a lot of yelling."

Jameson doesn't appreciate the mocking, especially in front of other heroes, but he'll let it slide for now since he does want to discuss an important point. Doesn't mean he's not upset though.

"Look you masked miscreant," Jameson says with a grumble and unintentionally falling back into his habit of using colorful vocabulary, "I've got some ideas that'll really boost public support for this team. First and foremost, being transparency."

Now he gets bewildering looks from all the heroes present.

"Transparency?" Spider-Man asks, "Please tell me you mean you want us to wear clothes that are see through. Because that will be much easier to do and put up with."

Jonah is really fighting the urge to berate his former employee for not taking this seriously. "No," he says, unamused, "We tell the public about what you all get up to, when you're out saving the world."

This was a matter of principle for him, a core belief ingrained in his being from his days as the esteemed founder and editor-in-chief of the city's most prominent newspaper, the Daily Bugle. He held steadfast to his duty to seek and report the truth, even when others cowered in fear. His enemies grew with each revealing article he published, but he remained unflinching in his commitment to delivering transparency to the people, no matter the cost.

So if he is going to sponsor a team that will promote unity, then by god it will be as transparent as his newspaper was!

"Jonah," Spider-Man brings him out of his musings, "That might not be for the best."

Jameson opens his mouth to argue but Wolverine adds in his own two cents, "He's not wrong. Plenty of what we do needs to be under wraps for both the sanity and safety of the people."

"Like what?" Jonah challenges.

"Okay, for example," Spider-Man starts as he points to the youngest person in the room, "Hope here was trained since she could walk so she can take on the power of the Phoenix force after mutants were rendered nearly extinct when Wanda lost her mind. No offense." He quickly adds that last part.

"Don't apologize," Rogue states with a stink eye to her teammate before the Scarlet Witch can say anything, "You ain't wrong."

While the Maximoff woman winces at the fact being thrown at her face, all of this information floors Jameson. He wasn't aware of any of it. Like many, he wondered what happened to the mutants and why so many lost their abilities. He didn't believe in the nonsense the Church of Humanity of spewing. How it was God who wiped away the plague or some other nonsense. But he does wish it was something like that because this is more frightening. He doesn't even understand how two young women can do such things. Hell, he doesn't even understand half of what his step-cousin is talking about with the Phoenix force.

Quickly regaining his wits, Jameson clears his throat and says, "Look, I'm a politician. I know a thing or two about the need to compartmentalize information," he then gives Sable a side look, "I didn't mention the fact a weapon of mass destruction was snuck into my city. Because I know it would cause mass panic."

Sable just stares blankly back at him and states in her defense, "I doubt anyone here will go public with this information."

Jameson frowns. Though he can't argue he still isn't happy about it. "Be that as it may," he turns back to the heroes, "I'm not saying we offer complete transparency. Just enough to assure the public this team is what it is."

That seems to make the heroes more open to the idea. They glance at each other before they look to their leader and Spider-Man looks at the mayor and asks, "And how do we do that?

Jameson smiles proudly and states, "Simple. Through social media and the younger generations. We don't aim at the older demographic. My generation and those close to it are set in their ways. Believe me. But if we can target the youth of today, then this team will succeed in it's purpose. And the way to do that is through social media."

Now the hero is looking at him as if he grew a second head, "I recall you hating that."

"I still do," Jonah tells him through grit teeth, "It's nothing but nonsense. Mark my words, this will slowly kill the press and this very country's soul."

Many may dismiss his thoughts as those of a bitter old man, but Jameson knew he was right. With the endless freedoms and lack of boundaries on social media, it was only a matter of time before it devolved into a cesspool of mindless babble created by attention-seeking individuals with no critical thinking skills. It was a breeding ground for the mentally unstable, exploiting their insecurities and vulnerabilities for likes and validation. He had seen it happen, watched as the platform that was once meant for connection and communication became a toxic space filled with hate and ignorance. And yet, society continued to glorify it, addicted to the constant need for affirmation and validation from strangers behind screens.

Jameson scoffed at the thought, wondering when humanity had become so reliant on virtual approval. He refused to participate in such trivial activities, preferring to live in the real world rather than a curated facade online. To him, social media was nothing but a tool for narcissism and self-gratification, leading to nothing but the decline of true human connection and empathy.

And that is the only nice way he can describe these people.

"So then, why do you want to use it?" Spider-Man questions him.

Jonah answer to that is easy, "Because if popular heroes use it to promote positivity, then just maybe it won't be that bad."

It's a conundrum. While he despises social media, he can't deny its incredible utility for someone in his position and for the success of this team. It's a double-edged sword that he struggles to reconcile with his personal beliefs.

He looks out at the world consumed by screens and followers, he couldn't help but feel a sense of sorrow for what had become of society. But he would not succumb to the grasp of social media's shallow allure. He would make sure if he has to be a part of that nonsense then he'll do something to be proud of. He would not be one of those shallow charlatans.

Peter gives him a query look that he can discern even through his mask, "That's oddly optimistic of you."

Jonah looks away from the hero, "What can I say? You're a bad influence on me."

A quick glance back and he sees Spider-Man smiles proudly at that, making Jonah roll his eyes. He still has other worries that he feels need to be addressed but he'll bring them up another time. Right now he'll let his step cousin think about his proposition and hopefully do what the mayor suggested.

Alex Summers clears his throat, "So, now that that is out of the way, maybe we can talk about what you're going to say to the cameras."

The Queens born hero shrugs and says, "I figure I'll just wing it. So far, I've done a good job in just saying what feels right."

Well that doesn't fill Jameson with Confidence. He can admit that the young man did a decent job with his speech that went viral, but he doesn't like the idea of him just winging it in front of a crowd of vultures that are reporters. He was once one of those people, so he knows the kind of tricks they'll likely try to pull.

Summers seems to share his concern and voices it, "I don't think that's a good idea. Can I offer something from a mutants perspective?" The team leader gives a nod to him, "I was once a proud member of the X-Men and student to Charles' school. This team here represents his dream of everyone working together for the common good."

Everyone present listens to Alex as he gets a melancholy look, "Now, more than ever, we need to do everything we can to keep his dream alive. Because the man he believed to bring that dream into reality, my brother, forgot everything Xavier taught him. That mutants and humans can live together."

Havok looks at Spider-Man dead in the eye from across the large table, "In fact, calling someone a mutant is both divisive and derogatory. We're all people living on the same world. So why do we need to be labeled something else?"

It was a moving speech. At least mostly, in Jonahs's opinion. He feels like the Summers sibling might be wrong about the term mutant being divisive and derogatory. Yes, it's a label, but frankly so is someone's ethnicity. Hell, a person's gender or age can be a label. It's all just identifying markers. Thats it. It's only a problem when someone makes it one. Maybe it's different when you are on the other side of it, but Jonah feels like that doesn't make much of a difference.

The meeting goes on about other topics, Jameson only half listens though. His mind on what this decision to sponsor a team like this could mean. He needs to tread carefully with this new team he is sponsoring. He knows the kind of trouble he is brining on his head by doing this. He is a full believer in mutant rights. Hell, he was one of the very few in position to speak for civil rights and had the honor of meeting men like Martin Luthor King. He made plenty of enemies and received plenty of death threats. But he did not deter from his path. He stood tall and proud.

Now he is about to do the same for another set of people. Because that is what they are. People. Albeit somewhat genetically different but they are people of this world, of this city he loves. And that's why he is proud to sponsor this team.

Still, he hopes this won't backfire as bad as he was warned it will by so many.

Riding down in the elevator with a silent Spider-Man, of all things, beside him makes Tony wonder what is going on in the hero's head. The younger man is never silent unless he's got something going on. He is basing that off of the memories he has again.

It's really a surreal experience for him to regain memories he didn't know he was missing. He talked to Strange about it and the magic man explained that while Tony has those memories again, it'll be like re-downloading files to a computer. He won't really remember everything all at once, they'll pop up in unexpected moments.

Like right now, Tony is recalling a memory of a similar situation where he is alone with Peter and the younger man has the same look on his face he has right now. It was during the Registration Act and he was thinking about how his decision affected his supermodel girlfriend and his aunt. Course Tony assured the hero he made the right decision but the guy still had his doubts. Looking back, he had every right to have doubts.

Not wanting to dwell on that, Tony brings his attention back to his fellow genius. He isn't really one to care much about personal issues, they're too messy for him to deal with, but in this case he can make an exception.

So Tony decides to ask, "Something on your mind, Thwippy?"

Spider-Man releases a sigh before he answers, "I feel like I might have bitten off more than I can chew."

Tony rolls his eyes at this and reassures the hero, "Webs, we wouldn't have suggested you if we didn't think you could do the job. And you did a great job leading them during the Red Skull incident."

Spider-Man shrugs in uncertainty, "Maybe Alex would have been a better choice."

Tony doesn't believe that and certainly argued against it. He points as much out to Spider-Man, "Steve and I agreed that he'd have been the safer and easier one. But ultimately you were for the best."

The Queens-born-hero huffs and says, "Rogue doesn't seem to think so. I think she just joined this team to get rid of me."

Ah now they're getting to the real crux of the problem.

"Webs if there is one thing you've excelled at it's making friends with people who found you insufferable," Tony points out.

He raises a brow, somehow, to the billionaire and asks, "If that were even remotely true, then how come I'm never invited anywhere?"

Ooh, definite delicate situation. He has to tread carefully here. "Believe or not," Tony starts, "We do discuss whether or not we should invite you to things." A lightbulb goes off in the billionaire genius's head. "It ultimately comes down to a few things."

Not a lie and not the whole truth.

"Which are…?" He prompts him.

"First, your secret identity," Tony says, surprising himself at how he is coming up with this on the spot, "While you're trusting more of us now, we still figure not everyone has the same privilege. Second being, in your words, economically challenged. And third, honestly, your availability is horrible. You've always got something going on."

Tony hears the younger hero grumble. He's not being mean about this, he's just stating facts that the hero can't argue with. Especially the last part since he agreed to lead an Avengers team while also balancing his other responsibilities, which is a lot more now from what he's been told.

Speaking of which, there is some juicy gossip he has been dying to hear about. "So your vacation with girlfriends?" Tony asks with a shameless grin, "How'd that go?"

Spider-Man gives the billionaire inventor a flat look as the elevator dings and the doors open, "You have no shame whatsoever do you?"

Tony shakes his head, "Not at all." He answers and walks out of the elevator, "Where's the fun in having it?"

He hears the younger genius sigh before he follows after the older genius. The room they entered into is control room to the training room. Tony couldn't help but feel a hint of pride at the state-of-the-art design. It was reminiscent of the X-Men's danger room, but Tony had taken it to a whole new level. In one corner, there was an array of holographic screens displaying different scenarios for training, where currently Steve and Natasha are in front of. In another corner, there were advanced weapons and equipment neatly organized on shelves.

"*Whistle* Swanky," Peter comments as he walks into the room and sees the two veteran Avengers, "Hey Steve, hey Nat."

"Spider-Man," they both greet but do not turn around as they keep their eyes on the screens.

The two genius step closer to see what they are looking at and lo and behold, the time-displaced Spider-Man that Tony decided to take under his wing is currently going through a training simulation.

"So this is where he went," the Spider-Man of the present comments.

"He came to the mansion and asked us to hide him from you," Natasha informs him. She glances at him with a curious brow and says, "Wouldn't say why."

"You know how most people I know want to kill me? I now understand why," the hero says, prompting the three veteran Avengers to look at him curiously as he looks at the controls, "So what is this anyway? This wasn't here before I left."

Stark would like a little more elaboartion, but he also wants to show off. "This is the Avengers newest training simulator," Tony proudly boasts. He waves his hands and the holographic screen shows up, "This baby can generate hyper-realistic environments and opponents using a combination of hard-light holograms and nanite constructs. We're talking full sensory immersion - sight, sound, touch, even smell. The AI can analyze fighting styles in real-time and adapt scenarios on the fly to push our limits."

He brings up a dizzying array of menus and options. "We've got preset programs for everything from basic combat drills to complex tactical simulations. Want to practice fighting Doombots in zero-g? No problem. Need to defuse a bomb while dodging laser fire? We've got you covered."

Spider-Man leans in, clearly impressed. "Wow, this is next level stuff, Tony."

"Oh, it gets better," Tony grins. "Check this out - we can import and recreate virtually any environment. Say you want to train in an exact replica of Doctor Doom's castle or AIM's latest secret base? Just feed in some recon data and the simulator will build it down to the last detail."

He waves his hands to bring up another menu, "And here is something that is purely for entertainment. You can fully immerse yourself into video games."

That gets an excited gasp out of Spider-Man, "Shut. Up."

"I will not," he responds, "Because I want to tell you that if you want to play Call of Duty zombies, not only can you play it as if its real, but the AI software will adapt to any changes you want in."

Spider-Man looks at the screen and says, "If I can play Pokémon Emerald, I might never leave here again."

Only one thought runs through Tony's head at that, 'Dork,' he thinks with a flat frown on his face, 'Nothing against his preferences, but wow.'

Then again, this same man somehow managed to land three gorgeous women and get them to be with him and each other somehow. And he's also noticed other women gaze at the hero. One of which is currently in the room. A quick glance at Nat confirms such thoughts.

"And the reason you did this is because…?" The hero inquires, making the billionaire turn his attention back to him.

He opens his mouth to answer, but Nat's small laugh makes them both look at her as Russian born redhead gives Spider-Man an amused smirk. "Your mini-me played Tony like a fiddle," she informs him. "He spent an hour bragging about how amazing it would be to have a training room that could simulate any scenario. How it would revolutionize hero training and give the Avengers an edge. But oh, if only there was a genius brilliant enough to create such advanced technology."

Tony's face flushes slightly. "Now hold on, I wasn't-"

"Then he started comparing our facilities to the X-Men's Danger Room," Natasha continues, clearly enjoying herself. "Wondering aloud if maybe Hank had surpassed our own genius in inventing. That got Tony working overtime."

Spider-Man chuckles. "Wow, mini-me's more devious than I remember being. I'm impressed."

"I knew exactly what he was doing," Tony insists, crossing his arms defensively. "I'm not some easily manipulated rookie. I saw right through his little act."

Steve finally speaks up, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Is that why you spent a whole day bragging to Bruce and Reed before video calling Hank just to rub it in his face?"
Tony does not retort. He admits to himself what he did was out purely to stroke his own ego and look amazing to the younger Spider hero. That is also why he gave the young man the Iron-Spider suit, it was just collecting dust in the Avengers tower.

He looks to the screens, where currently time-displaced teen is running through a scenario that included him beating on some AIM goons and robots. The kid is tearing through them all like paper, in part thanks to his incredible powers and also to the suit.

"Man, he is not holding back," the original Spider-Man comments.

"We told him to," Steve informs him, "We wanted to get a better measurement of his capabilities and compare them off the ones we have on you."

Natasha presses a few holographic buttons and a new screen with statistics comes up, "Strength, speed, and skill wise, there is an obvious gap between you two. But as far as focus goes, that's still the same."

Spidey looks at the woman curiously, "What do you mean?"

She gives him a wry look, "You haven't noticed how quiet it is," she says before she presses a button.

Suddenly there is battle sound but also, "How's that knuckle sandwich, you beekeeper looking goon? Not a fan? How about a-"

Natasha presses the mute button again, "And that's why I'm thankful there is a mute button."

Tony shakes his head in amusement, "You haven't changed much since then, have you kid?"

Spider-Man gives him aside glance, "You know calling me kid when I'm well into my twenties, makes you seem really old. Like Rogers old."

While Steve doesn't appreciate the joke at his expense, Tony does, even if they are directed at him.

(Central Park, Midday)

A large crowd of reporters and citizens of New York are gathered around a large stadium that has the new Avengers team. It consists of Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, Thor, Wolverine, The Thing, Havok, Rogue, Hope, and Wanda. Sitting by them is Mayor Jameson who is conversing with Spider-Man. Offering last minute tips about what to say and expect, forgetting that Peter has had plenty of experience with these things.

Granted his experience was in the crowd but it still counts.

The mayor gets up from his seat and steps forward to the podium, "Good morning my fellow New Yorkers!" Jameson announces in his usual exuberance when in front of a crowd, "I, your illustrious mayor J. Jonah Jameson, am here to present to you a new team of heroes dedicated to unifying the division of mutant and non-mutant!"

A decent applause follows that announcement, better than what the heroes expected it to be. In truth they also expected some protestors or maybe and angry mob or something to be here. But apparently that wasn't going to be the case.

The team listened to Mayor Jameson's advice and decided to get a feel on how the younger generation will react to this new team through social media. As it turns out, a large amount are on board with it all. Sifting through so many platforms and other media outlets allowed them to discover how massive the support they would receive for the team.

As a result, the two knew they had to create a social media presence for the team. That was left primarily to Alex. Even though Hope is the youngest of the team, she never had a normal childhood so connecting with people her own age that weren't X-Men or Avengers was a bit of a problem. Fortunately she had friends back at the mansion to help her out in gathering information to help Alex. As a result, she revealed a unexpected advantage the team had. Spider-man being the leader. The hero is loved among the younger people and ever since his speech after the Red Skull attack, many are inspired by him to reach out to the mutant community.

The mayor raises his hands to signal the crowd to calm down, "Thank you. Now I would like to hand this off to someone you all know very well. He is a man that has done so much for this city, that he doesn't need an introduction. Please give a round of a applause for the Amazing Spider-Man!"

Jonah steps back and claps with the crowd as Spider-Man gets up from his seat and walks the podium. He gets in front of the microphone, "Thank you Mayor Jameson," He says cordially glancing at the man, "That was the nicest thing you've ever said to me in public and actually meant it."

That gets a small laugh from the crowd and Spider-Man can tell Jameson his forcing his, when his eyes are clearly telling the hero not to push his luck.

The crowd of reporters at the front eagerly try to grab the hero's attention, "Spider-Man! Spider-Man! Can you explain the mayor's sudden change in attitude in regards to you?"

Before he can answer, Jameson shoves Spider-Man out of the way and says indigently, "Oh what? A man can't admit when he was mistaken?"

The same reporter, a woman, quickly asks, "So you're saying that you were wrong about Spider-Man all these years?"

Jameson shakes his head and looks at the woman like she is an idiot, "No. I said I was mistaken. The difference could not be more clear."

"I think it can be," Spider-Man interjects. He places his hand on the mayors shoulder to nudge him out of the way, "Let me try," he looks back at the crowd and says, "Look, it's no big secret Mayor Jameson and his mustache have never been fans of me. Part of it is likely because he sees me as a clown. And with my colorful personality and outfit, he was mistaken. But he wasn't wrong."

He is happy to get a small laugh out of them, "And another part is because he wasn't well informed about what my activities. He always found it suspicious how I always seemed to be there whenever there was trouble. He just didn't understand that I was both looking for trouble and a trouble magnet.

The reason for all of that, is because he truly loves this city and wants what's best for it.

Just like with this team he is supporting. He truly believes that this is the best for this city and country."

From the corner of his eye, he can see Jameson hold his head up proudly at this. He'll let the man have this for now.

Spider-Man clears his throat, "Now, over a week ago, this city suffered a devasting attack. I know its not something new, with this being New York and all. But this one was definitely different if only because it exposed an ugly truth. The bigotry and hatred against mutants. Now we can blame Red Skull for the attack, but that would still be ignoring the real problem. All he did was bring to the surface of what was already there. Ignoring it, doesn't mean its not real or that it'll disappear. If anything it'll just fester into something worse."

The hero looks out into the crowd and sees many people have guilty looks on their faces. He glances behind him at Alex and recalls the Summers brother's words.

"I was recently told that the term 'mutant' can be viewed as a derogatory term," he continues as he looks back at the crowd, "I respectfully have to disagree with that. The fact is, anything can be derogatory if someone means it to be. For example, if I were to call a man a woman or a woman a man, that can viewed as derogatory. But shouldn't my intentions behind my words matter?"

The crowd mummers in agreement with him, making the hero smile underneath his mask.

His spider sense goes off and his smile vanishes. Nothing of immediate danger but definitely something dangerous.

"Everyone needs to leave," he suddenly announces. He sees the shocked and surprised looks on the crowd's faces but he doesn't care about that. They aren't listening and his spider sense is getting stronger, "NOW!"

Jameson angrily steps up beside him and growls out, "What the hell are you doing?! You can't just-!"

"Jonah!" Spider-Man interrupts him as he keeps his sights straight ahead, watching and waiting for something, "Something bad is about to happen! These people need to go now! Trust me!"

He glances at his former boss and sees the man have the same distrusting glare he always had exclusively for the hero. But as fast as it appeared it vanishes the next second and it is replaced with shock and worry. Jonah then turns his attention to the police captain and starts commanding him, "Captain! Have your men start evacuating these people now!"

The man nods and radios out but Spider-Man ignores everything else and focuses on the sensation he is feeling. He recalls his training with Elektra and delves deeper into that tingling he always feels. Images start appearing in his head. And though it felt longer in his head, in reality only a second or two had passed.

His eyes snap open before he shouts, "Carol! Get in front of me now!"

Captain Marvel doesn't hesitate to follow his order and it was a good thing too. Because a swirl of blue fire appears at the back of the gathered crowd and she gets into position in time to take a red beam blast coming out of it and absorbs the stream energy. She is pushed back slightly but all the energy goes into her.

"And who are you to speak for us?"

A voice sounds out over all the screaming and shouting. A voice Spider-Man and the others recognize as a friends.

"Oh mah god," Rogue says in disbelief from her position in the air, "Scott?"

Yes indeed. Standing in front of them all, is Scott Summers. Along with Emma Frost in her well known white outfit, Magneto in his iconic red one, Magik and Colossus in their well known garb, and one other that the heroes do not recognize.

The former mutant leader steps forward and speaks loudly and clearly, "You aren't one of us. So how can you speak for us."

The two teams squared off against each other. Spider-Man's mind raced to try and come up with a way to defuse the situation before it escalates, "Scott, I know we aren't besties, but don't you think after everything that's happened, shooting lasers at friends isn't the best way to make amends." He says hoping to buy some time by talking to make sure the civilians get away.

Scott scoffs derisively, the look on his face filled with contempt, "You see," he sneers, "You can't take anything seriously. Why should you lead the mutant revolution?"

"Woah there, revolution?" The arachnid themed hero says, "I'm not leading any revolution. When I hear the word revolution, it makes me think of Matrix movies."

The sneer on the former X-Men leaders face becomes more enraged, "The fact that you don't even see it says it all."

Spider-Man hears a growl from the side and Wolverine mutters, "The hell with this!" The feral mutnat looks to the muscle of their team, "Toss me!"

Thing didn't need to be told twice as he grabs and twirls his teammate at the Cyclops' group. But the the clawed mutant stops in the air buy Magneto's power.

"You never learn," he says before he flings the feral mutant away.

"Logan!

"He'll be fine! Worry about them!" He says, but he is loathed to leave his teammate and friend to hang out and dry, "Carol, back me up against Scott! Ben, Colossus! Wanda, your dad! Havok, Rogue, Hope, Magik and Frost! Avengers take them down!"

The group of heroes charge at their X-Men foes with Spider-Man leading the charge. He swings and dodges attacks from Cyclops and a young man firing golden balls from his arms. The hero manages to catch a few and throw them back at his two adversaries. Both nimbly dodge the attack and resume trying to hit the hero. Carol is his backup, absorbing all the stray blasts that Scott is firing to avoid them hitting the buildings.

Thing engages with Colossus and the two collide, their clash sending a strong enough shockwave to crack the ground under them. Both struggle to overpower one another, by grappling and punching each other. Steel meeting stone and stone bashing against steel. Each blow sounding like thunder reverberating through the park.

Wanda levitates some debris at her father but the master of magnetism lifts some metalic objects from the stage to block his daughters attacks. He then proceeds to pull some cars a goodistnace away and throws them at her.

Magik and Hope clash in their own battle, with the sword wielder having to block a hex powered punch from the younger woman. She manages to push the girl away and summons some demonic dogs to assist her.

Frost, in her diamond form, stands unafraid as she looks at both Havok and Rogue. "Give up now, Frost," he southern mutant says as she punches her palm, "You and Ah both know, these kinds of fights ain't yur strong suit."

Frost gives the woman a smug look, "You aren't wrong," she retorts and places her hand on her head, "But I don't need to fight you."

Suddenly there are gunshots being fired at both Havok and Rogue, making them turn to see some police officers shooting at them.

"Dammit!" Havok dives behind some cover, "It's like Red Skull all over again."

Rogue, however, is fine as the bullets bounce off her harmlessly, thus allowing her to dive in front of her teammate and tank the bullets while also disarming the police without hurting them. However, she is confused. Frost can't use her telepathy while she is in her diamond form. It is one of her greatest weaknesses.

"Much has changed, darlings," Frost tells her before she sticks out her hand and further surprises the southern woman by creating a diamond blade from her palm, "So much that those who do not stand with us are no better than humans."

'Somethang is definitely wonky here,' Rogue thinks as she eyes the diamond blade in Emma Frost's hands wearily, 'Frost is a lot of things, but she ain't a zealot for her people.'

But the southern woman has no time to think about that as Frost goes to attack Alex. The Summers sibling manages to dodge the blade but gets a kick in the face by Frost.

The battle between the two groups raged on, with chaos and destruction happening throughout Central Park. Spider-Man continues to nimbly dodge blast after blast and ball after ball from Cyclops and whoever the other guy is. He shot webs at both of them to ensnare them, but they both fired their own attacks to prevent this. Carol helps when she can by firing her own photon attacks, but Scott's firing carelessly takes her attention away as she does not want a single attack of his to hit a building and cause an accident.

However, there is something odd she is noticing after each attack she absorbs. Its not like how it used to be. She has absorbed Cyclops attacks enough times to know what it normally feels like. Now though? It's like it's not his attack she is taking in.

Spider-Man lands on a tree and shouts, "Come on, Cyclops! Can't we talk this out?" He leaps out of the way when a golden ball flies past him, "How about over some coffee? I know a great place nearby!"

The response he got was a powerful blast that he skimmed by.

In the air above, Wanda and Magneto's duel had escalated to new heights. Cars, lampposts, and other metal debris swirled around them in a maelstrom of chaos. Wanda's hex bolts clashed against her father's magnetic shields, each impact sending out waves of energy.

As their battle rages on, Hope finds herself being overwhelmed by Magik's demonic minions. The young mutant is fighting with everything she has, but she finds herself unable to replicate any of Scott's or his peoples powers.

'The hell is going on!?' Hope thinks in frustration as she uses Havok's copied powers to blast the demon dogs off of her. 'I can still mimic my teams powers but not Scott's people?'

Nearby, the titanic clash between Thing and Colossus continues to shake the earth. Their massive forms grappled and traded thunderous blows, neither able to gain a clear advantage. Ben's rocky hide cracked and reformed with each hit, while Piotr's metallic skin bore countless dents and scratches.

"Yer makin' a big mistake here, Russkie," Thing grunts as he caught one of Colossus' fists. "This ain't like you!"

Colossus' normally gentle eyes were hard as his skin. "I fight for my people, Mr. Grim. Something you wouldn't understand."

With a mighty heave, Colossus lifted Thing off his feet and slammed him into the ground, cratering the earth beneath them.

Spider-Man sees this and his mind quickly races to find a way to get these two off his back. He needs to help his teammate and end all this fighting quick. An idea pops in his head. "Hey, ball boy!" He calls out to the unknown mutant, "I'm sorry was that inaccurate? Cause I think you as more of a golden goose! All these eggs and no balls!"

The seems to work as the young mutant points his arms and fires more golden balls at the hero in rapid succession. Spider-Man dodges the attacks but fires web line after web line to catch these things. He then lands and leaps again in the air and twirls around, pulling the multiple line of balls with him. Raining down series of golden balls down on the young man that fired them. One connects with his face and he falls down.

Spider-Man lands and sees this. "Yes," he says with a fist pump before leaping over to where Ben is, "Carol! Deal with Scott! I gotta help Ben!"

Not waiting for a response, the hero arrives to see his rocky friend is on the ground getting pummeled, blocking the blows but still going deeper into the hole. Spider-Man swings over and fires a web line at Colossus raised fist. Once he lands, he pulls hard enough to get the Russian mutant off the ground and flying towards him. He then leaps and kicks the man in face, sending him a good distance away.

Spider-Man lands nimbly before rushing to the crater where Ben is lying in. "You okay, big guy?" he asks, offering a hand to help his rocky teammate up.

"Just peachy," Thing grunts, accepting the assist. "Tin Man's got a mean right hook."

They both turn as Colossus charges at them again, his metallic skin gleaming in the sunlight. Spider-Man's spider-sense tingles, alerting him to the incoming danger.

"Alright, lets take him down quick so we can help the others," Spider-Man says, crouching into a fighting stance. "Follow my lead!"

As Colossus reaches them, Spider-Man leaps high into the air, firing two web lines that attach to the Russian's shoulders. Using his momentum and strength, he yanks Colossus off balance, redirecting him towards Thing.

Ben catches on quick and clotheslines his metal foe, knocking him down to the ground. He then lifts his foot up to stomp him, and just before Colossus can stop it, Spider-Man fires two web lines at his hands to prevent him from blocking the attack. Thus, Thing stomps on Colossus.

Back with Carol, Scott is still firing an endless stream of energy at the blonde heroine in the hope he can overload her. Carol, meanwhile, is completely bewildered not only by this action but she is still also bothered by how the energy she is absorbing feels. It's vastly different from how it used to feel. It's not at all like it was before.

But she is so distracted, she doesn't notice the young man who was firing golden balls getting up from the ground. With a grunt of effort, the young mutant fired his largest projectile yet - a gleaming golden orb the size of a beach ball. It hurtled towards Carol's back, and it knocked her down. Surprising her that something like this actually knocked her down.

Back with Thing and Spider-Man, the younger of the two has been an immense help against Colossus. Having been able to not only help in overpowering him but also get a few good licks in, sort of a payback for the beating he got in return back in that hell mountain he helped his friends escape from.

But that levity is short-lived as Spider-Man's spider-sense screams a warning, but he's a fraction too slow to react. Scott's crimson beam slams into his back with devastating force, catapulting him forward. The hero crashes through a thick oak tree, splintering it to kindling, before skidding across the ground in a cloud of dust and debris. His costume smokes from the intense heat of the blast as he lies motionless, struggling to catch his breath.

He doesn't understand why that attack hurt him so much. He has taken hits from Scott before. Hell, his younger self took a hit from Scott not two weeks ago and came out fine. Yet here he is, lying on the ground in immense pain. He is able to heal fast like Logan, but his wounds aren't healing fast enough at this moment.

'What is going on?' He wonders before he feels someone grab his hand and roll up his sleeve. He looks up to see a lovely face that hasn't been very friendly to him, "Rogue?"

"Sorry, Webhead," the southern woman says to him as she takes off her glove, "Ah just saw you take on Colossus. Ah figure Ah could take some of what you got and add it to mah own to knock him down."

The idea terrifies him because of what he now knows about his powers. She touches him, and he immediately feels lightheaded and weaker than he did. She drops his arm after touching him for a few seconds before she flies off.

Rogue soars towards the titanic battle between Thing and Colossus with newfound strength and speed coursing through her veins. Spider-Man's incredible powers, combined with her own natural abilities, created a dizzying surge of raw might. She could feel the difference immediately - every muscle fiber, every nerve ending was supercharged. Even her senses were heightened. To the point where she knew how much strength she needed to take down her former metal-skinned friend.

As she approached, Colossus managed to wrestle Thing into a headlock. Rogue doesn't hesitate to punch with as much might as she feels necessary. She dove in with blinding speed, her fist cocked back. At the last second, Colossus turned his head, registering her presence with widening eyes.

But it is too late. Rogue's haymaker connects with the center of the Russian mutant's metallic face with an ear-shattering shockwave. The sound was sickening, like a wrecking ball smashing through a steel wall. Colossus' head shatters into pieces as shards of metal spray outwards in a gruesome fountain.

The park had gone silent. Everyone present stops the fighting to see with agonizing slowness how Colossus now headless body goes limp, releasing Ben Grimm from a headlock, before toppling backwards and falling down with a resounding thud.

Everyone is shocked, but none more so than Rogue as she saw what she did in slow motion. In her mind, everything slowed down so much that she saw her fist go through her friend's head like it was drywall. She doesn't want to turn around, but she knows she has to. With great strain, she does so and immediately recoils in horror. On the ground is Colossus's headless body, blood pooling out from it.

"Fall back!" Scott's voice rings out, "Magik! We need an evac now!"

Several portal appear around the park and Cyclops and his people quickly leap through them. The heroes unable to believe how their former comrades and friends are acting in the midst of this tragedy. Alex in particular is stunned that his brother is leaving Piotr.

Once they vanish, Rogue falls to her knees in shock and disbelief, her hands trembling as she stares at her friend's lifeless body. "No," she whispers in horror, her voice filled with horror and grief, "No. Ah've seen him take hits from Hulk," She desperately tries to understand what she did and how she did it but is unable to believe this gruesome scene is because of her, "He… I don't."

Every one of the heroes present stares at the scene grimly. Some look at the one responsible with pity, while Hope can only turn away to not throw up at seeing a headless corpse.

Meanwhile, reporters who stayed behind during the battle snap photos of the aftermath, eager to capture the tragedy for the world to see.

And at the back of it all, Spider-Man is on the ground and hangs his head in shame, "Dammit."

On a rooftop not too far from the scene of the attack, a lone man in casual clothing has binoculars pointed at Central Park. On the lenses is a reflection of Rogue kneeling by the headless corpse of Colossus. He lowers them down before he presses a button on his shirt, "Home base, this is Overwatch."

"Go ahead, Overwatch," a voice responds.

"Mission failure. I repeat the mission was a failure."

There is silence for a few moments before a different voice speaks up, "That's disappointing," the man tenses up at the sound of the voice, "But not unsalvageable. We will just have to resort to plan B."

The man gulps and let's out a shaky breath, "Yes sir, Mr. Osborn."