Amazing Spider-Man: True Purpose

(Avengers Mansion)

It's pretty late when Spider-Man is sitting on the couch in the mansion's living room where he had the interview with Jonah a little over a week ago. Only now instead of the one being asked for answers, it's the mysterious Red She-Hulk, who is currently staring out the window behind him.

Jonah, with only his shirt and tie, is in the corner of the room and is staring at her back suspiciously. Silver is on the phone with her men, getting updates about the COH members that attacked them.

And four of his teammates, Logan, Carol, Wanda, and Hope are also in the room with them. With Hope and Wanda on the opposite couch of Peter, Carol standing behind them, and Logan leaning against the door jamb.

Silver nods before she says into her phone, "Good job. Remain at the station for further instructions." She hangs up the phone before turning her attention to the mayor, "My men informed me that the two officers who attacked us are indeed real policemen. They are in custody and asking for their union representation."

Jonah scowls at this, "Fantastic," he says as he aggressively adjust his tie, "Men who swore to uphold the law in my city have made an attempt on my life, and what's worse, is that I don't know who else is involved."

Spider-Man looks at his former boss and says, "You're safe here, Jonah. Even those nut jobs wouldn't attack a place where steam of superheroes live."

"Wasn't it less than a month ago this place was a pile of rubble?" Hope inquires.

"You're not helping."

"I'm not wrong."

"Alright," Carol interjects as she decides to address the elephant in the room. She turns her attention to the the large red woman and says, "Alright, Betty. Tell us how you knew about the Mayor getting attacked."

Spider-Man looks at Captain Marvel curiously, "You know her?"

"It's Elizabeth Ross," she informs him, "Banner's ex."

The webbed hero does a double take on the large red skinned woman, "And here I thought she was connected with the red one," he comments. Before he thinks about it some more, "I mean, Jen got that green gene so it's not unreasonable to assume-Oh."

Now everyone looks at the hero and Red She-Hulk glares at the hero as he comes to a realization on what possible connection this hulk has with the other red one.

Spider-Man glances back and shrinks under Red She-Hulk's intense glare, "I'll just... stop talking now," he mumbles, sinking further into the plush couch.

Jonah doesn't care about the connection she has with the Red Hulk, at least not right now, his main concern is with her timely arrival. "How in the blazes did you know I was going to be attacked?" He question the large muscular woman, rather aggressively too, "And don't give me any of that 'right place, right time' nonsense. You showed up precisely when those badge-wearing traitors made their move!"

She regards him for a moment before pointing at Spider-Man, "Why aren't you asking how he knew too?"

"He has a habit of getting in the middle of these types of things," Carol tells her as she keeps her suspicious look on the taller woman, "But you don't. Last I heard from Jen, you were in the middle of some big thing with the army."

Betty turns from the window, her massive frame casting a long shadow across the room. The yellow glow of her eyes seems to intensify as she regards all the heroes in the room. For a moment, the only sound is the ticking sound of the grandfather clock and the nervous tapping of Spider-Man's foot against the carpet.

"You're right, Mr. Mayor," Betty says, her voice a low rumble that seems to vibrate through the room. "It wasn't coincidence. I'm part of an organization that's been monitoring threats like the one you faced tonight for a very long time."

Logan raises an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "What kind of organization are we talking about here, Doll?"

Red She-Hulk takes a deep breath, "It's called the Order of the Shield. It's existed for millennia, working from the shadows to prevent catastrophic events that could reshape or destroy our world."

Almost looks at her in surprise. They had no idea that such an organization existed without any of them knowing about it.

Jonah on the other hand has his doubts and voices them, "What kind if cockamamie story are you trying to sell here? I've never heard of such an organization."

"They're very real, Mr. Mayor," Betty assures him. "I only recently joined and became the new chosen leader. The founders include some of history's greatest minds. Imhotep, Galileo, even Benjamin Franklin. This organization has been instrumental in averting countless disasters, most of which the world will never know about."

And again, everyone is stunned silent by this. The fact that such famous geniuses in history were a part of this organization makes it seem even more unreal, but they don't see why she would lie about such a thing. Even Jameson can't come up with a response.

"So what?" Spider-Man breaks the silence, "You guys go around stopping grumpy old men from being shot?"

Jonah grumbles at the shot from his former employee ad Red She-Hulk responds, "Not quite. We use a device called the Terranometer to monitor potential world-ending threats. It alerted us to the danger Mr. Jameson was in."

"Wait what?" Spider-Man straightens up and whirls around to look at the newest hulk, "Jameson being killed is a world ending disaster? How's that work?"

"Its a chain reaction," she informs him and points to the mayor, "He is killed, mutants are blamed, and a war is broken out."

While the heroes are shocked to hear this, Jameson has a different reaction. "Of course. That makes sense," Jonah nods as he comes up with his own theory, "My country would wage a war for me. I am and have been an integral part of this country's greatness. Why without J. Jonah Jameson being a newspaper man then mayor, this city would be a cesspool of crime and villainy! I've been the backbone of this metropolis since before most of you were in diapers. My journalistic integrity is the stuff of legends, my mayoral prowess unparalleled!"

Jameson feels overwhelmed with emotion by his own words. Tears pool in his eyes as he realizes how much he means to the country he loves and calls home. Completely unaware of the flat looks he is getting from everyone, in particular by Spider-Man. The hero drops his head into his hand at his boss's arrogance. Apparently, the man is forgetting the years of slander he has been saying in regards to the hero.

Hope decides to correct this, "I don't think that what she-"

Spider-Man raises his free hand to stop her, "Don't bother, trust me," he tells her. Years of working for this man and dealing with his newspaper slander have taught him when he can't change his mind. He instead decides to get back on the topic of how the world ends, by looking at Red She-Hulk and pointing out, "The guys who tried to kill him were members of the Church of Humanity, so how do mutants get blamed?"

"The first men who made an attempt were policemen," Silver informs him, "It's very likely they aren't the only ones on the force."

Red She-Hulk nods and continues, "And those men, along with several others in positions of power, would have pinned with murder on Cyclops and his people. Which wouldn't be difficult to sell, with what happened today."

Wolverine steps up, "But we know now that it wasn't our people that did that," he announces, drawing surprised looks from Jonah, Silver, Wanda, and Hope, "Slim came to the school to recruit some students to join his school and cleared himself."

"Cleared himself?!" Jonah shouts indigently and steps up to the feral man, "You're just taking him on his word?!"

Logan growls at the man, and Spider-Man intervenes, "Jonah," he grabs his boss's attention, "Logan can tell when someone lies and so can I. We know Scott was telling the truth."

Jonah scoffs, his mustache bristling with indignation. "And since when did you develop lie-detecting powers, wall-crawler?"

"It's... complicated," Spider-Man says with hesitation, not wanting to delve into the intricacies of his spider-sense. "The point is, we know Cyclops isn't behind this. But clearly, someone wants us to think he is."

"That someone is Norman Osborn," Betty reveals to them.

Spider-Man whips his head around in shock, "WHAT?!"

She nods and elaborates, "The terranometer revealed a future where Osborn would have propelled himself into being the president of United States after revealing he a powered team that captured and killed the X-Men who attacked the rally."

Everyone is shocked by this, but none more so than Spider-Man. The Queens-born-hero is completely floored by this revelation that his greatest enemy would have been president if Jonah had been killed.

Seriously, how messed up is that.

"He would then go on to officially declare war on all mutants and powered individuals," she continues, "Most countries offer sanctuary to them, but because of the individuals under Osborn's command, it means little."

"So basically, the registration act but ten times worse," Spider-Man simplifies.

Red She-Hulk nods in confirmation, "More or less."

Spider-Man's mind reels at the implications. His greatest nemesis, the man who had terrorized him and his loved ones for years, ascending to the highest office in the land. The thought sends a chill down his spine, and he finds himself desperately not rushing out and making sure everyone he knows and cares about leaves the country as soon as possible. Not yet at least.

He stands up, "Okay, so we obviously can't let that happen," he announces before he looks to the largest person in the room, "So does that terra thing know where Osborn is?"

Betty shakes her head and says, "Unfortunately, no. Whatever Osborn is involved in, it somehow is blocking the terranometer from knowing everything."

Spider-Man nods and gets a thoughtful pose, "Well no clue can also be a clue. Tell me, what can stop it from knowing things."

She thinks about it, "Not much," she says after a moment, "I would say cosmic forces, or direct interference."

Spider-Man hums in thought, "The fact that he has resources, and influence means he's got to be working with someone in the government." He looks to Logan with an expextant look, "Which also means we need someone who knows how to get info nobody wants out."

Getting the message, Logan nods and pulls out his phone, "I'll call Natasha."

"Thank you," Spider-Man says before looking to his former boss, "Now, you stay here. I got something I need to do."

Everyone, sans Red She Hulk, looks at the departing hero in surprise and Hope asks, "Wait, you're not gonna help?"

"Of course I am, they tried to kill my boss," he declares dramatically, "They were gonna steal the American dream from me. I cannot let that stand."

While some find the quip funny, Jonah does not, "You insufferable, web-headed imbecile! This is no time for your juvenile quips! My life is on the line here! Take this seriously!"

Spider-Man holds up his hands placatingly. "Relax, Jonah. Don't blow a gasket," he says before he heads out the front door, "Call me when you got something!"

He closes the door behind him, leaving the heroes wondering what he needs to do right now that is more important than this.

(Death Valley, Secret Underground Bunker)

Norman can't recall the last time he felt this exhilarated. From the observation room where he stands, gazing down at the containment pod below, he feels like a child on Christmas morning. The power of the universe is literally within his reach, and it's hard not to feel excited about it.

Soon everything he desires will be within his grasp. No one will ever challenge him, no one will question him, no one will be his equal. But most of all, he will finally be rid of the greatest thorn he has ever dealt with.

Spider-Man.

The very thought of the hero makes the industrialists blood boil. His fists clench behind him as his mind recalls memories of the numerous encounters he has had with the wall-crawling menace. All the defeats and plans thwarted by the hero, each one a reminder of how the hero has continuously stood in his way. No matter what plan he came up with, Spider-Man always seemed to be one step ahead. His wit and agility were unmatched, making him not just a physical obstacle but also a mental threat.

However, Norman has had a few victories he can relish in and lord over the webbed hero. One in particular is when he forced Spider-Man to try and save the love of his life, only to kill the woman as a result. And at the thought of that young lovely woman, makes him remember the time they spent in France. That brings a cruel smile to Norman's face.

His thoughts are interrupted when the hissing of the door behind him bring him back to the present. He doesn't bother to turn around as he can already surmise that it is General Whadon walking up behind him.

"General," Osborn greets the man, rather dismissively.

"Osborn," he greet him back, more cordial, as he looks down at the room at all the scientists working tirelessly

Norman's eyes remain fixed on the containment pod below, a faint blue glow emanating from within. "I trust everything is proceeding according to schedule?" he asks, his tone casual yet laced with an underlying intensity.

General Whadon steps up beside him, his weathered face creased with concern. "The extraction process is moving forward, but our scientists are reporting some... anomalies."

Norman's lips curl into a smirk. "Anomalies are to be expected when dealing with cosmic forces, General. It's nothing to be alarmed about."

The General's frown deepens. "With all due respect, Mr. Osborn, we're treading in unknown territory here. The power we're attempting to harness—"

"Is exactly what this country needs to maintain its global supremacy," Norman interjects, finally turning to face Whadon. His eyes gleam with a dangerous light as he plays on the generals love for his country. "Imagine it, General. An army powered by the Enigma Force. No nation would dare challenge us. No threat, terrestrial or extraterrestrial, could stand against us."

The man before Osborn shifts uncomfortably, making Osborn smirk. He knows how to manipulate the fool and so many like him. Politicians, businessmen, and even government officials like Whadon, they were all the same. All he needed was to promise them power, and they would give him anything he needs to make it happen.

"And you're certain you can control it? This... Enigma Force?"

Norman's laugh is cold and brittle. "Control it? My dear General, I intend to master it." He turns back to the window, his reflection grinning maniacally. "The age of superheroes and vigilantes is coming to an end. Soon, there will only be order." 'My order.' He has as an afterthought.

The general gets quiet for a moment before he says, "Some of the most brilliant minds working for us have struggled to understand even a fraction of the knowledge you've provided," he glances at the insane genius, "We've wondered why you've sat on this for so long."

Ah yes. The knowledge of not only finding the current host for the Enigma Force, but also siphoning the power from her. A woman he didn't bother to remember since all her worth was because she was chosen to be the next host for the Enigma Force. It was that knowledge that allowed him to barter his way out of prison. All he needed was to get to the right ear and voila, he is now a free man with power.

Of course, this is only the case if he can deliver to both parties. The men who freed him, and the one who gave him the knowledge he needed to get his freedom.

"It's quite sad those men down there are the most brilliant minds you can find," Norman says condescendingly as he does not bother look at the general, "As for why I've 'sat on this' for so long, General, timing is everything. I can't give away all my leverage on a whim."

Whadon doesn't hide his disdain for Osborn, which frankly Norman couldn't care less about. He will deliver on his promise and then go about what he needs to do. Which is something that the General and his superiors in Washington don't need to know about. If all goes well, they'll all get what they want. And if not, then at least he will.

One should always be careful when making deals with devils. And he was careful with his.

(Aunt May's Apartment Building)

He wants to be anywhere else but here right now. He'd rather be fighting Rhino, Scorpion, Electro, Kraven, and all of his rogues all at once than be in this building working up the nerve to do what he set out to do right now.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

He's been standing in front of her door for fifteen minutes now. Surprisingly nobody else has come or gone to question why he was just standing there like a weirdo. But then again, that would've likely gotten him out of his head so he can knock on the door.

'Typical that when I need something to happen it doesn't happen,' he mentally grumbles to himself.

He shakes his head. He can't lose his nerve now. He has been mentally preparing for this since he came back to life weeks ago. He knows what he needs to do.

'Just don't think about it,' he tells himself as he takes a calming breath, 'Don't think about it and just-'

Knock knock knock.

He opens his eyes and blinks in surprise at his hand knocking on the door. He pulls his hand back and looks at it, 'Huh, wonder why I don't do that more often.'

Peter's heart races as he hears movement inside the apartment. The lock clicks, and the door swings open to reveal Aunt May, her warm smile instantly melting away some of his anxiety.

"Peter! You came!" She exclaims as he walks in and hugs her tightly, enjoying her warm embrace, "I was worried you wouldn't have made it."

He pulls back and smiles at her in confusion as he walks in, "Why would you think that?"

"Well, maybe because you haven't called in weeks," she points out as she closes the door, missing his wince of guilt, "I just thought you were busy with some big project at work or something. I didn't want to pop by unannounced and bother you."

"You are never a bother, May," he tells her warmly. He then looks around, "Is John here?"

May shakes her head and walks by to go into the small kitchen, though its bigger than his, and she says, "No, he stepped out. He got a call from the police sayingt that Jonah might be in trouble."

"Oh," Peter exclaims, before he tries to play it off, "Jonah is in trouble? That isn't so shocking."

"Oh, Peter," May lightheartedly admonishes him as she prepares a meal, "I know Jameson isn't the easiest man to get along with, but he is a good man and he is family."

"I know. Him yelling and ranting is his way of saying I love you," Peter jokes, "Makes me wonder if all these years he's had a secret crush on Spider-Man."

That ellicits a laugh from his beloved aunt, making him smile too.

May settles into a chair at the small kitchen table, gesturing for Peter to join her. "So, tell me what's new with you, dear. How's work? Are you eating enough?"

Peter sits down, his mind racing and heart beating as he tries to come up with the best way to tell her the truth about everything. He knows what he needs to tell her, but he doesn't know how to broach the subject. Hell, he wants to tell her all the good stuff that's been going on, mainly how he and Mary Jane are trying again, albeit in an unconventional manner that might or might not be well received by his old aunt.

He clears his throat and starts with, "Well work is work, you know? We do what we do and make sure we don't blow up the labs doing it."

May raises an eyebrow, "Is that what keeps you from calling your aunt?"

Peter winces, guilt washing over him, and raises his hands, "No, no, that's not it at all. I've just been... dealing with a lot lately. But I should have called. I'm sorry, Aunt May."

May reaches across the table and pats his hand. "It's alright, dear. You have your own life. I just worry about you, that's all."

Peter nods, his throat tight. He wants to tell her everything - about being Spider-Man, about MJ, Felicia, Sonja, and how she didn't screw up with him. But the words stick in his throat.

He swallows, "Actually, there is something I wanted to talk to you about," he begins hesitantly.

She looks at him with concern, "Is everything alright?" She asks, "Do you need money?"

Peter shakes his head, "No, no. Nothing like that," he tells her before he realizes something, "Actually, this is the first time in my life where financials aren't my biggest problem."

How about that? He got a win without realizing it. Course he still is bad at managing his money, but that's another issue.

He refocuses, "I have something that I need to tell you," he says, working up the nerve, "And I hope you hear me out until I finish to understand why I-"

BRRRIIINNGG! BRRRIIINNGG!

The ringing of the phone cuts through the comfortable silence of the apartment, halting their conversation. Both Peter and his Aunt May turned towards the intrusive noise. Aunt May's expression shifted, a flicker of apology crossing her features. "I'm so sorry, Peter," she began, her voice laced with concern, "It could be John."

Peter offered a reassuring smile, waving away her apology. "It's okay, Aunt May," he replied sincerely, "Go ahead and answer it."

Her answering smile held gratitude as she moved towards the phone, her voice echoing slightly as she picked up the receiver. "Hello? John? What's going on?"

Her footsteps faded as she moved into another room, the door closing softly behind her. Peter knew she was trying to spare him from whatever news John had to deliver. Though pointless since he was already well aware of the ongoing situation with Jonah, but May isn't aware of that. But she will be. He has to tell her today or he might not work up the nerve to do it again.

"Would that be the worst thing?"

He jumps in his seat and turns to see Jean standing by the glass panel leading to his aunt's apartment balcony. Peter's eyes widen in shock as he takes in Jean's unexpected presence. "What are you doing here?" he hisses in a low voice, glancing nervously towards the closed door where May disappeared.

Flicker of fire comes off Jean's hair as she approaches him, "You don't need to worry. Your aunt won't hear us unless I let her."

Feeling a quick course of anger surge through him at Jean messing with his aunt's mind, Peter stomps it down to refocus, "Okay, not an answer to my question," he says as he stands from his chair, "What are you doing here?"

Jean stops in front of him and calmy tells him, "You need to return to the mansion now. The situation with Osborn is a serious matter that needs your attention."

Peter rubs his face and groans, "I'm aware of that, Jean. But there is nothing I can do right now until I hear from Nat."

"Natasha got the information you need," Jean informs him, "She is on her way now to the mansion."

Peter lets out an aggravated breath and looks down the hallway his aunt went before looking back at Jean, "Look I just need a minute, okay? I'll head back when I'm done here."

Jean frowns at his stubborness, "There will be another time you can-"

"WHEN?! WHEN THE HELL WILL I HAVE THE TIME?!" Peter whirls around and shouts at her, "IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED, THERE IS NEVER A GOOD TIME FOR ANYHTING IN MY LIFE! IT WAS NEVER A GOOD TIME FOR ME TO FINISH COLLEGE! IT WAS NEVER A GOOD TIME FOR ME TO GET A REAL JOB! IT WAS NEVER A GOOD TIME FOR ME TO GET MARRIED! WHEN IS THERE EVER A GOOD TIME FOR ME TO LIVE MY LIFE!"

Peter huffs and collapses into his seat after losing his temper. He hangs his head in sorrow and guilt at his admittance. He is not ashamed of what he does, and he will never regret it. But he is so mad that he can't seem to find the time to do anything. Whether it was taking the girls on a vacation or having a long overdue conversation with his Aunt May, it never seems like the right time to do any of it. He may have gone on the vacation, but he abandoned his responsibilities for himself.

Jean's expression softens slightly, her humanity shwoing just a bit, "I'm sorry Peter," she says, her voice tinged with regret, "But right now, there are bigger things at stake. You have a responsibility-"

"Don't," Peter cuts her off, his voice tight with anger and pain as he doesn't look at her, "Don't talk to me about responsibility. You have no idea what I've sacrificed in the name of responsibility."

"Don't I?" Jean challenges as she goes to sit across from him, "Look at me now. I sacrificed my humanity to become the White Phoenix. Fire and life incarnate." The intensity of her words hangs heavy betweem them, "But I had to do this, because I was chosen. Like you were."

Peter thinks about her words for a moment before he responds with, "Jean. I'm just a guy who fights purse snatchers and the occasional weirdo with a furry fetish."

"And I was just a girl who fought for the equality of mutants and dealt with boy drama," she retorts with a hint of amusement from his words, "But life has a way of changing directions on a whim. Fighting it is like swimming upstream a river. You will not win."

Her analogy and admission of understanding struck a chord with him. He may not have been very close to the telepath when she was around, but he is close enough to know how much they've given up too for their cause.

"Peter," she gently starts as she places a hand on his, "I know it isn't fair that you carry all this responsibility, but as I'm sure you've been asked and even asked yourself, would you put this on anyone else?"

No he wouldn't. Peter looks back at her and doesn't say anything because frankly there is nothing to say. He would never leave someone else to deal with what he does daily. Especially recently.

Jean stands up, "That's what I thought," she says before going next to him and placing a hand on his shoulder, "You are far too good of a man, Peter, to abandon your responsibilities. It's one of many admirable qualities you possess."

The weight of her hand vanishes and Peter glances to where jean was, only to find she is also gone. Only a few seconds pass before he gets up and heads to the door.

"Peter?" His aunt voice stops his cold at the door, "Are you sure you're alright?"

He turns around and forces a smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes, "I'm sorry, Aunt May, but I have to go," he tells her, keeping his gaze lowered, "There's... there's something important I need to take care of."

May's brow furrows, disappointment and worry mingling in her expression. "But you just got here. Can't it wait?"

It never can, can it? No matter what, he has a job to do and he can't put it off for anything.

"I wish I could," He says with a shake of his head, swallowing the lump in his throat as he tries to hide his shame, "I wish I could stay. But I've got something I need to deal with."

Just as he is about to leave, he stops again. He needs to at least say something, something that will at least mend years of damage.

"May," He starts, keeping his body forward and not looking back, "I'm sorry I made you feel like you failed with me," he closes his eyes as he finally says what he feels he needed to say for years, if only partially, "I'm sorry I made you feel like you weren't enough, like you somehow failed in raising me. And I am sorry I didn't become the person you believed I could be, the man Uncle Ben and so may others expected me to be," a heavy sigh leaves his lips, "But you were never the one who fell short. It was always me."

He does glance back and can see the concern and disbelief look she is giving.

"I swear, I will explain everything when I get the chance," He promises her.

She reaches out, "Peter…"

He opens the door and leaves, "I have to go."

"Peter wait!" She calls out.

He doesn't stop though. He rushes out of the apartment without a word back. He has a job to do. He can't shirk it.

(Avengers Mansion)

Arriving back at his mansion, after his abrupt departure from his aunt's place, Spider-Man lands on the rooftop and finds that it isn't empty. Because standing right there at the rooftop entrance is Red She-Hulk. And it seems like she was waiting for him.

She is leaning against the door with her arms crossed when she asks, "And what pray tell did you need to go and deal with that took your attention away from this crisis?"

He raises a brow at her hostility, "It was personal," he responds, before he crosses his arms too, "So is the angry attitude part of the Hulk package? Cause Jen doesn't seem to have the same thing you and the others got."

Her yellow eyes glow as she continues to stare at him, "I was warned how much of a clown you were," she says harshly, "We have a potential catastrophe on our hands, and you left."

He rolls his eyes underneath the mask, "Oh gee, the world is in danger. Like that doesn't happen every other day," he sarcastically remarks before he steps up to her, "Tell you what, Rulkie. Why don't you let me worry about saving the world, and I'll let you deal with whatever daddy issues you got with Big Red, cool?"

Her glowing yellow eyes widen in surprise by his attitude before they narrow, "I'd be very careful over speaking that out loud."

"Or what?" He challenges as he steps closer to her, "You'll smash me?"

For a tense moment, they stand toe-to-toe, the air crackling with tension. Then, to Spider-Man's surprise, Red She-Hulk's expression shifts. A smirk tugs at the corner of her mouth. "You're brave, I'll concede to that," she says as she eyes him, "Most would be frightened to step up like that to a hulk."

Spider-Man shrugs, "Well, I've tussled with Jolly Green and the big red bulldog. At this point, my only worry with you guys is keeping track."

Red She-Hulk steps back, giving him some space, "My warning still stands," she tells him, "My father would not appreciate anyone else knowing about him."

"I'm a big mouth, not a blabbermouth," he quips, "I run my mouth, I don't spill secrets. Even juicy ones."

And boy is Red Hulk's identity a juicy one. Not just becuase of the hypocrisy, but because of the potential drama that could follow if it gets out.

Red She-Hulk's smirk is replaced by a coy smile that catches Spider-Man off guard. She steps closer to him, her towering frame radiating a surprising warmth. "Is that so?" she purrs, her voice taking on a playful lilt. "Even if someone were to be persuasive."

Spider-Man blinks in shock at the sudden mood swing as he stares up at her, "Uh whats happening?"

"As I said, most would be frightened to step up to a hulk," she tells him, towering over him with a intense gaze, "Yet you did so without an ounce of fear. I find it… alluring."

Peter gulps as he stares up at the hulking woman. Never before has he been so scared of a woman finding him attractive until now.

He steps back and clears his throat, "Okay, well, I'm just gonna go inside now."

He ducks past her and heads for the stairwell. Feeling her gaze linger on his person as he does so.

As Spider-Man descends the stairs, his mind reels from the unexpected encounter with Red She-Hulk, he finds himself lost in thought. He has no idea where that came from. He has never interacted with Betty Ross ever before, but he has spoken and worked with her ex, Bruce Banner. And from what he remembers Bruce mentioning, his ex was not a flirt. Maybe hulking out brings out parts normally hidden.

He continues to trek through his mansion, until he turns a corner and nearly collides with Silver Sable.

"Spider-Man," she greets him, her voice cool and professional. "I was just coming to find you."

He greets her back, "Silver."

She seems to pick up on his tension since she raises a delicate brow and asks, "Are you alright?"

He takes a breath and lets it out, "It's been a long day," he says.

Silver hums and says, "Well, fortunately, Natasha is on her way with the information you needed."

"Well that's good," he says, feeling some tension leave him, "Hopefully whatever she has, we can act on fast. I don't like the idea of Osborn being out and about."

He hates the feelings that stir up inside when he thinks about Norman. The anger, fear, deep seated weariness that just rattles his bones when he doesn't know where that man is and what he's doing. Norman has been a constant shadow in his life, a boogeyman in his closet that no matter how much he locks the door on, keeps bursting free.

He is conflicted on his feelings about the man. He wants to hate him, wants to hurt him so much, but he knows that won't fix anything. Hating Norman will

He forces his mind back to the present. On Silver.

Speaking of conflicted feelings…

"Hey Silver," he begins, nervously fidgeting, "We haven't had much of a chance to talk since I showed up in Jameson's office with mini-me."

She maintains her professional composure as she responds, "No, I suppose we haven't. I still find it surprising that you were so young when you began this endeavor."

"Yeah most people do," he says before he shakes his head, "But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about." He fidgets a bit before he takes a breath through his teeth, "I just want to let you know that I felt something too, with the kiss."

Silver Sable's composed demeanor falters for just a moment, her eyes widening slightly at Spider-Man's admission. She quickly regains her professional mask, but there's a new tension in her shoulders. "I... see," she says carefully, her accent more pronounced due to her own nervousness. "I was hoping, I mean, wondering when you wished to talk about that."

Spider-Man nods, "Right," he says as he rubs the back of his neck, from how awkward he is feeling since he now has to drop a bombshell, "But there's something I should mention. I'm not exactly sure how though."

He really needs to start rehearsing this. How the heck is he supposed to explain this when he barely has a grasp on it.

Spider-Man takes a deep breath, his heart pounding beneath his iconic red and blue suit. He knows he needs to be honest with Silver, but the words seem to catch in his throat. "The thing is, Silver," he begins, his voice wavering slightly, "I'm kind of... well, I'm in a bit of a complicated situation right now. Relationship-wise, I mean."

Silver Sable arches a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, her grey eyes studying him intently. "Complicated how, exactly?" she asks, her tone measured and cautious.

"Well, you see," Spider-Man continues, gesticulating wildly with his hands as he often does when nervous, "I'm sort of... dating three women at the moment. But they know about each other! And they're okay with it!. I hope. It's all very new and confusing and it kinda happened suddenly and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it and..."

He trails off, realizing he's rambling. Silver's expression is unreadable, her face an inscrutable mask of professionalism. The silence stretches between them, heavy and tense, broken only by the distant sounds of the city below.

"I see," Silver says at last, her words carefully chosen. "And these women, they are aware of your... alter ego?" Her eyes flick meaningfully to his mask.

Spider-Man nods vigorously. "Oh yeah, they know. They've known for a while. One of them knew about it before she even knew me. Like high school years. And the other knows because she inhabits her, being a warrior spirit and all. Like I said, very complicated," he says when he recieves a bewildered look from Silver, "And the other is Black Cat. Felicia. You've met her, right? Of course you have, who hasn't met Black Cat in this city..."

He's rambling again, his words tripping over each other in his haste to explain. Silver holds up a hand, silencing him. "Spider-Man," she says, her voice firm but not unkind, "I appreciate your honesty. Truly. But I am not sure what you expect me to say."

Spider-Man deflates a little, his shoulders sagging. "I don't know," he admits, his voice small. "I guess I just... I wanted you to know. Before anything else happened. Between us, I mean. If there even is an 'us', which there totally doesn't have to be, I'm not assuming anything, I just..."

He bites his tongue to shut himself up. Why is this so hard for him? It was so much easier with Mary Jane and Felicia. Sort of. Then again, he knows them better and longer than he does the Symkarian beauty.

Meanwhile, Silver is keeping her composure. Back straightened she tells him, "I appreciate your honesty, Spider-Man. It's a lot to process, but I respect your openness and your commitment to communicating." Now she is fumbling with her word choice, "For now though, perhaps we should divert our attention on more pressing matters."

He winces as he can hear the hurt in her voice. But she doesn't want to hash this out right now so he'll respect her wishes and move on, "Right yeah," he says, "We should focus on keeping Mayor Sourpuss alive to prevent a war. Which if I'm being honest, I feel is ridiculous."

His attempt at lighthearted joke seems to do the trick since Silver smiles slightly and says, "Well, this city is known for its strangeness. The Mayor being killed causing a war is not so ridiculous."

As they enter the elevator and descend into the mansion, Spider-Man can't help but feel a mix of relief and lingering guilt. Relief because he seriously needs to work on his delivery of his relationship status and guilt because he might've hurt a very dear friend. He knows the conversation with Silver isn't truly over, but for now, there are more pressing matters to attend to. The fate of the world, as usual, takes precedence over his complicated love life.

It doesn't take long for elevator to stop and doors to open. The two of them step out and Spider-Man sees his whole team is present, along with Jonah and the Red She-Hulk. How she got here before him, he has no idea.

As Silver goes to stand beside Jonah, Spider-Man notices one person is missing as he looks around the room, "Hey where's Nat? I thought she had the info we needed."

As if on cue, the elevator doors slide open again, revealing Natasha Romanoff. The Black Widow strides into the room, a sleek tablet in her hand and a determined look on her face.

"Glad you could join us," Spider-Man quips. "I was worried we'd have to start without you."

Natasha ignores the joke, her green eyes scanning the room before settling on Spider-Man. "I've got what you asked for," she says, her voice crisp and professional. "And it's not pretty."

She taps the tablet, and a holographic display springs to life in the center of the room. Images and documents flicker into view, detailing what appears to be a top-secret military project.

"This," Natasha begins, "is Project Cosmic. It's a joint venture between the military and Osborn, aimed at harnessing and weaponizing an energy source they we know as the Enigma Force."

"Wait what?" Spider-Man says as he recalls his own interactions with the power of the universe, "Are you serious?"

Everyone looks at him curiously for a moment before Logan asks, "Got something you want to share with us, Webs?"

Spider-Man looks at the holograph intently as he regales his teammates and friends, "Yeah, I've... had some experience with the Enigma Force," he begins, his voice uncharacteristically serious. "It was a few years back and I had no idea what was going on with me at the time. I was exposed to some energy, only that energy had nothing to do with it as it turns out. I already had the Enigma force inside me."

"It's the power of the universe, and it's alive. At least it can think for itself. It constantly chooses a new host every once in a while. Recently I was picked again with Sue and the less smelly version of you," he says, pointing at Wolverine.

Logan sits up straighter now, "Laura?"

Spider-Man nods, "Yeah. That was a whole other mess," he looks back at the data being shown, "Anyway, with this power I was able go toe to toe with Graviton, Hulk, Magneto, and even a Tri-Sentinel."

"Tri-Sentinel?" Rogue asks, perplexed, "The hell is a Tri-Sentinel?"

Spider-Man looks at her in confusion, "It's a sentinel with three faces," he explains and notices Alex, Logan, and Hope also have confused looks on their faces, "Wait, have you guys never dealt with one before?"

All of them shake their heads no, leaving Spider-Man confused and bothered by this. Because the sentinels are a mutant thing and he had to deal with one that was the most dangerous version when they never have. 'How's that fair?'

"Lets get back on track," Natasha states before waving her hand and the screen changes to a map, "The base where the Project is being developed is here, Death Valley, California."

The team look at the map intently, while Alex decides to bring up an important point, "Are we sure we should be doing this?" He asks, getting everyone to look at him. He then elaborates, "Going up against the army, even if what they're doing is illegal, won't end well for us. It could blow back on us and what we're trying to accomplish."

Spider-Man nods in agreement with his teammate, "You're right," he says and looks around the room as an idea pops into his head, "This team can't be seen fighting the US military. That won't end well for anyone. So, we don't. We instead, go there to fight those fake X-Men. No way would they be seen with soldiers helping them fight. And while the team is dealing with those phonies, another will be infiltrating the base."

With a furrowed brow, Hope raises her hand and asks, "But how do we draw them out?"

As the group falls into deep thought, Widow brings up another hologram, "There might be another way," Widow declares confidently, her gaze fixed on the projection showing the face of the general overseeing the project.

(Death Valley, Nighttime)

General Whadon takes in a deep breath of his cigar, before he exhales. He swore he quit after the heart attack but since Norman Osborn was put on Project cosmic, a heart attack isn't something he's worried will kill him now.

The look in that man's eye greatly unsettles the general. The instability, the viscous glint, everything about Osborn makes the General wonder why his superiors put the man in charge. Yes, he brought solutions to problems they were having, but it also felt like the man came with problems and created them as well. Why else would he blatantly order an attack on a new team of heroes like he did?

General Whadon takes another long drag on his cigar, the smoke curling around him in the cool night air. He's standing outside the base, the desert stretching out before him, vast and empty. He can hear the coyote's howling and desert wind blowing. He takes a swig from his flask, the whiskey burning down his throat. It does little to calm his nerves. Every instinct he has is screaming that this is wrong, that Osborn can't be trusted. But orders are orders, and he's a soldier. He follows them, even when he doesn't agree.

A sound behind him makes him turn. His hand instinctively moves to his sidearm, but he relaxes when he sees it's just a rabbit. He's about to turn back when a voice speaks from the darkness.

"Boy you can't get these kinds of sights in the city," the casual tone does not dissuade him from pulling out his gun and pointing it to the source. He then sees its none other than Spider-Man laying on a boulder, "I mean, unless you turn of all the lights in the city and clear up the air, then you got to come out here to star gaze."

The General turns the safety off on his gun and says, "You know it's very dangerous to sneak up on a military man."

"I'll take my chances," Spider-Man responds as he sits up, "So, do you mind calling out those mean ole X-Men you got. My friends and I want to play, 'Ow, please stop hitting me.' Guess how you lose that."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Whadon tells him, gun still pointed at the hero, "This is restricted area. I have every authorization to shoot you like a dog."

Spider-Man gasps dramatically, "Oh, no! A gun!" He says with mock fear, "I've never had to deal with one before! What ever will I do?!"

The general resists to snarl as he flicks the safety off, "Final warning."

The hero sighs as he leaps down the rock, "Look general, believe it or not, I'm not the bad guy here. You're actually working with the bad guy. Norman Osborn. You know, industrialist slash lunatic that likes bombs and the color green."

General doesn't so much as twitch at the mention of the name, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"What about Project Cosmic? That ring any bells?" Spider-Man playfully challenges, and that makes the general sweat and tense up. Which seems to give him away since Spider-Man nods, "Thought so. You know, playing with living cosmic forces is only asking for trouble. Especially when you got a psychopath like Norman fiddling with it."

Whadon tightens his grip on his gun as he responds, "Whatever dealings the US military has made with Norman Osborn were made out of necessity thanks to people like you."

Spider-Man takes a step forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "General, I get it. You're a soldier, and you follow orders. But sometimes, those orders aren't right. And this? Working with Norman Osborn? It's about as far from right as you can get."

Whadon's jaw clenches, his finger tightening on the trigger. "You don't understand," he growls, his voice rough with emotion. "The threats we face, the enemies at our borders... we need every advantage we can get. Even if that means making deals with devils like Osborn."

"But that's just it, General," Spider-Man presses, his voice urgent. "Osborn isn't an advantage. He's a liability. A ticking time bomb waiting to go off. And when he does, it won't just be the military that pays the price. It'll be everyone."

The hero's words hang heavy in the night air, the gravity of the situation settling over them like a suffocating blanket. Whadon's resolve wavers for just a moment, doubt flickering in his hardened eyes. But then his training kicks in, his loyalty to his country and his duty overriding all else.

"I have my orders," he says finally, his voice flat and emotionless. "And those orders are to keep this project secure and to eliminate any threats to its success. Including you, web-head."

Spider-Man sighs, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I was afraid you'd say that," he mutters, before straightening up and gesturing behind the man. "Well, General, if you won't listen to reason, maybe you'll listen to them."

Whadon scoffs, "How dumb do you think I am?"

"Working with Osborn kind of tells me already but that's not the point," Spider-Man jokes, "I was actually pointing to my friends."

The general does indeed turn around now, and lo and behold standing right there are the Unity team with the addition of the Black Widow and Red She-Hulk.

"Here's how this is gonna go, bub," Wolverine growls, his claws glinting in the moonlight as they slide from his knuckles with a sharp snikt. "You're gonna stand down and let us handle Osborn, or things are gonna get real messy real quick."

"I'd listen to him, General," Black Widow speaks up, her voice silky smooth and laced with a threatening tone. "Logan's not known for his patience. Or his restraint."

Red She-Hulk doesn't speak. She doesn't need to. Her presence alone is enough to make even the hardened General Whadon falter, his gun lowering just a fraction.

Spider-Man steps forward again, his voice taking on that humorous lilt he's best known for, "So, General?" He says as he puts his elbow on the man's shoulder and leans on him, "I can leave you with my friends, who aren't your biggest fans right now. Or I can stay if you help us out."

Whadon grinds his teeth. Years of training, of learning discipline. and here he is folding like a deck of cards. Becuase he knows these people by reputation to not test them.

So with great reluctance, he turns back to Spider-Man and asks, "What do you need me to do?"