ITS A CONSPIRACY! Finale
(Underground)
Patience, Natasha reminds herself, is the cornerstone when it comes to successful infiltration missions. Waiting for the right opportune moment to make a move, any move, to avoid detection. Natasha had that drilled into her head very early in her life, during her Red Room days. Not something she enjoys recalling but…
She is around a corner of the base with her partner Silver Sable beside her. Alarms blaring, drowning out any noise they make, soldiers running and shouting, making it difficult to slip by them. They are waiting for the soldiers to run by before they make a move. It took a minute for them to figure out where they were supposed to go after they split up from Spider-Man and Ross.
Both she and Sable have not interacted with Osborn much, but they do know about him. Psychotic he may be, the man was an industrial titan. A businessman through and through, and one that had the reputation of being a shrewd businessman who perfected the art of sealing deals with contingencies that ensured his survival, no matter if failure lurked at the edge.
So chances are he kept information about the people who invited him into Project Cosmic. It's reasonable to think that he kept the invaluable information close at hand—not necessarily tucked on his person at all times, but hidden somewhere within easy reach. Hence why they are waiting for the soldiers to pass by, so that she and Sable can go into the madman's personal quarters.
There is a very good chance he would have it on his person, if only because he would want to make sure nothing happened to the information during this situation, but it's also unlikely if only because something could happen to it when he gets involved directly.
Romanoff doesn't hear anything else and signals Sable to follow her. They quickly and silently cross the hallway and reach Osborn's quarters. It's a simple metal door, so picking the lock is a cinch.
Natasha opens the door, the creak drowned out by the alarms, and enters with Sable following after. Shutting the door they take a quick scan of the room.
Despite its small size, the space accommodated just enough for a neatly made bed, a compact desk laden with documents and notebooks, and a discreet private bathroom. Every element in the room was meticulously organized: rows of books lined the shelf, notebooks were arranged neatly atop the desk, pencils and pens sat in an orderly cup, and clothes were tucked away in a small, utilitarian closet.
Making sure there is no surveillance in the room, Natasha quietly speaks up, "Alright, let's look around. Osborn has to have the information here."
Without another word, both begin to search the room for anything. Natasha at the book shelf and Silver at the bed desk. Natasha flips through the books while her partner opens notebooks and combs through them.
"He's made a lot of notes," Natasha voices as she flips through the pages of a book. What she has in her hand is Homer's Odyssey, and the notes on the book circle around the Trojan horse idea and Scylla.
She glances at Silver looking through a notebook with a furrowed brow, "These seem more like the ravings of a madman. And most of it surrounds Spider-Man." She informs Natasha and shows her.
The page she sees is jam-packed with words, frantic scribbles on the header, the side columns, and it looks very disorganized. Hell, the page is consumed by a spiraling paragraph, while scattered throughout are crude sketches of spiders with knives though them or with skulls on them.
Silver turns the notebook back around and continues to turn the pages, "Why is he so obsessed with him?"
A good question. One Natasha does not have an answer to. "I honestly couldn't tell you," she voices as she goes back to looking through the books.
"You're his friend, aren't you?" Silver inquires as she glances up at her, "Wouldn't he have spoken with you about these sort of things?"
Natasha pauses for a moment before she responds, "We're more allies than friends. Our interactions have been limited to missions and such."
She is of course not including her time as Natalie Rushman. That was a whole other issue.
She hears Sable hum, "I've been of the mind he trusted his fellow heroes. I didn't realize he was that wary."
From her tone, Natasha can hear genuinely surprised Sable is by this. She looks at the mercenary with a raised brow, "You're surprised?"
"Very," Sable responds, as she goes back to reading the notebook, "I've often gotten the feeling he was open to those he considered close friends."
All true, but that's just on the surface of things. If Sable was more involved with the Avengers or even Spider-Man, she would know that he is more complicated than that.
"He keeps things close to the chest," Romanoff informs her as she continues to flip through the books, "From what he's told us, too many times the people he loves have been put in danger. And too many times, he's had to fight people he's trusted with his secret."
"Hm," she hears Sable and glances to see have a contemplative expression, "Well, then I am surprised at him for being involved with a thief like the Black Cat."
Natasha gives a small nod since she can understand that, "I'd like to say it's typical male instincts in him putting cup size over everything else, but-"
"I don't think he is the sort to do such a thing," Silver comments.
Widow gets a small fond smile, "He's not. He's the sort to see the best in people, never assume the worst. To the point where he thinks people like myself and Logan are good people."
It gets quiet for a moment before Sables voices something, "You have feelings for him."
Natasha's face returns to her usual neutral state. Damn. She slipped. She let her guard down and Sable saw it. Natasha could just avoid this, say to focus on the mission, but…
"I do," Natasha confesses to the mercenary, surprising Sable and herself slightly, "I wouldn't go so far as to say I love him, but I know that I am attracted to him."
No point in denying it. Especially since her teammates might suspect the same thing.
Natasha looks at the silver haired woman who now has something of a concerned expression. She can see though, that it's not over her admission or at the notebook. Her eyes are unfocused and her brows are furrowed.
Natasha ventures a guess it's over Spider-Man's disclosure. "He told me about the kiss you two shared," the redheaded Russian states, bringing the Symkarian native out of her thoughts, "He also said he told you about his current relationship status. Which is more than complicated."
Sable looks down at the notebook, unfocused again, and says, "Three women. Such things are usually for men of money and power, to show dominance and superiority."
"That's not his reasons," Natasha states instead of telling her.
"I should hope not. I would hate to have misjudged him," she says. She then gets conflicted look on her face, "Still, it is very unusual."
That is certainly true. When Natasha first heard about the circumstances surrounding Spider-Man's love life, from Tony's mass text to every Avenger current and former, to say she was floored is an understatement. She thought Tony was pulling her leg but after confirming with Steve, turns out it was true. The Webhead was in a relationship with three women, Sonja, Hardy, and an unnamed supermodel.
At first, she thought what many other heroes thought; that Spider-Man wasn't the upstanding guy everyone believed. The kind of guy that is comparable to Captain America in regards to morals. But the fact that he was having an orgy at the Avengers mansion, essentially breaking the place in in a way that makes Tony proud, makes one question whether or not street hero is a good man.
But after confirming a few things from Steve and Tony, meeting two of the three women, and then talking to Spider-Man himself, she sees now how genuinely in love he is with the three women, and vice versa.
She won't lie, not to herself about this at least, she was heartbroken by this. It felt like a door was closed on her. A possibility that she can't explore anymore that she hadn't realized she wanted until recently.
She recalls hearing about his death against the Rasputin siblings after he rescued her and other Avengers from their hellish imprisonment. She was devastated by this. She hid it of course, but in moments where she was able to find some solitude, she broke down into tears. At the time, she did not understand why she felt so destroyed by Spider-Man's death. It took for him to come back to life for her to discover how she felt about him.
And before she knew it, Sonja popped up declaring her love for the hero and suddenly her feelings for the Wall Crawler
Or so she thought. Because it seems Sonja once again turned things on its head.
"In our line of work, usual is unusual for the average person," Natasha points out.
Silver raises a brow at her, "Your point?"
Nat closes her eyes and takes a breath, "My point is that he has genuine feelings for you. He said as much. That there is a connection between you two," she opens her eyes and looks at the mercenary, "Maybe one that's worth exploring."
Silver tries to hide it behind her bewilderment, but Widow can see the hope in her eyes, as she questions, "What are you saying? That I should join this harem of his?"
"The only thing preventing you from pursuing anything with him is social norms," Romanoff repeats what was told to her, "And let's be honest, if we cared about social norms, we wouldn't do what we do. Why limit yourself on something this important to you if that's the case?"
Natasha can see her words make Silver think as the woman look up in thought, "That's almost poetic."
"He didn't come up with it," Natasha says, "Sonja, one of the women he's involved with, did."
Silver nods, "That makes more sense. So let me ask a question then," she says before she looks the redheaded Russian directly in the eye when she asks, "If offered, would you want to be a part of that?"
That is the question isn't it. If she were to act on her own feelings, would she want to be a part of something like that?
But before she can think on it some more, a clatter of a small object grabs both of their attention. They look down to see that a USB drive fell out of the bed Silver is on, likely due to her shifting.
The mercenary picks it up and examines it, "Do you believe this is what we're looking for?"
Natasha drops the book and walks over to Silver and the woman hands the drive to her, "Let's hope so," she says.
There is a muffled boom and the lights flicker, prompting them to look up at the ceiling.
"Was that from outside or inside?" Sable inquires.
Knowing the hero who has their interest, it's likely the latter.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Dodging pumpkin explosives is practically par for the course for Spider-Man. Maybe not in enclosed spaces like this underground military base that they are soaring through, but he's managing. The projectiles whiz pass him, leaving trails of smoke, and detonate with the force of a missile that are barely contained by his webbing. The lasers from his foes fingertips are harder to avoid if only because he's making sure Betty doesn't get hit too as he helps her bob and weave.
As bad as those are though? The really sucky parts are the sounds are more intense because they're reverberating off the enclosed space, so his ears are hurting like hell, and Norman has no problem targeting the soldiers that were assigned to the place to divert the hero's attention. So more often than not, he gets singed from close calls.
And worse still, even with all the ringing, he can still hear the maniacal laughter of his worst enemy.
"HAHAHA! Running away? After declaring to stop me?" Goblin's taunts echo through the corridors as he fires more lasers at the heroes while chasing them through the hallways, "What happened to all that bravado from before!"
God what he would give to shut him up.
"I've got plenty of bravado still, you ugly elf!" He shouts at his foe as he avoids another bomb and saves a soldier that would have been a red mist as a result of the explosion. He webs the soldier into a cocoon and tosses him to Betty, who catches him and adds him to their collection of writhing cocoons. Just a few other soldiers that would have been dead had it not been for them, "Unlike you, I can quip and save lives!"
He hears his nemesis taunting laughter and tries to come up with plan. Leading his foe through the base is not the best considering Goblin has no problem blowing it up. Good news is, it seems most of the soldiers are elsewhere, likely the storage space where the giant hole the heroes entered through is. Bad news, that is where they re heading because its the only way out that wouldn't risk collapsing the base.
They come out of the section they split from Sable and Widow, who the hero is concerned over, but he can't linger on them now. He has to stop Goblin. He continues to bounce and propel himself off the walls in his avoiding his foe, with Red She-Hulk surprisingly keeping pace with them and keeping the soldiers safe, if likely only bruised and dizzy from all the jostling.
His spider-sense warns him of an attack and tackles Betty out of the way as the tunnel is filled with a wave of fire.
He hears Green Goblin cackle and sees the lunatic fly out of the fire, twirling the glider with reckless abandon, as he enters the storage section of the base. Spider-Man leaps to the center of the room and lands in a crouch. He hero takes a quick survey of the area and sees the soldiers have moved most of the vehicles and crates elsewhere, but they are still moving things around. If he gets into a fight with Goblin here, he doesn't know if he can save all the soldiers.
Green Goblin cackles madly as he floats in the middle of the air and shouts, "Alright boys, be a couple of lambs and lead these ones to the slaughter!"
Fortunately, the soldiers don't follow the lunatic's orders, which Spider-Man is relieved over. "Guess these guys know better than to listen to an elf that even Santa wouldn't trust," he quips at the madman.
A quick flash of anger passes Goblin's face before he reaches into his man purse gets a sadistic smile, "Oh well, I was going to use this anyway to cover up my work," he says as he pulls out a bomb, "But dealing with you is a bonus I won't overlook."
The madman activates a button on his glider, causing the synthetic cosmic cube attached to it to emit a brilliant light. Energy surges from the cube toward the bomb in his hand. Spider-Man's spider-sense goes into overdrive, his eyes widening in terror as he yells, "NO!"
But it was pointless because Osborn cackles madly as he tosses the bomb before he soars out the gaping hole. And Peter's perception of time slowed to a crawl as he watches the bomb descend to the ground. He can kick it out, but that would endanger his friends outside. With a surge of adrenaline propelling him forward, he stretches out his senses in an attempt to gauge every angle, every possibility.
When in doubt, trust his instincts.
Much like when Avalanche attacked New York, he moves faster than the human eye can track, a blur of action so swift its as if he's in more than one place. That same exhilarating surge of power he experienced on that day courses through him once more, filling him with the sense he can do the impossible and save everyone before the bomb touches the ground. He propels himself with agility and precision, leaping and springing off walls, floors, and any available surface. His movements are fluid and calculated as he skillfully ensnares the remaining soldiers in cocoons before tossing them out of the hole.
As the bomb nears the ground, he turns his attention to Red She-Hulk with the soldiers he cocooned while running from Goblin, moving slowly from his perception. But she is not alone. Natasha and Silver are running up behind her.
It all happens in a flash.
Rogue punches the merged creature of Emma and Golden Ball in the face with enough force to level a building, knocking its head back. It then swings its diamond claws at her. She dodges, barely through as she feels her hair get snipped a bit, and Logan tries his own luck against the monster. He stabs it, or rather tries to but his claws barely cut through the hard hide before it launches a diamond spiked gold ball from its peck, hitting the old mutant in the chest. He is launched and pinned to a large boulder as Thing charges in wrestles with the monster.
She isn't seeing an end to this. She and her friends have been hitting this thing with all their might, and it doesn't slow. Hell, they have barely made it budge an inch.
She glances at the others fighting the other merged monster, and sees Thor swing his hammer at the thing but it meets his blow with its sword hand. The creature then blasts Thor point blank with its optic blast, sending the Norse god away. Carol intervenes the blast and absorbs it but the monster doesn't let up. If anything, it only ups the amperage and Carol is pushed back too. Rogue knows the woman can still absorb that, but only so much before she needs to go out into space and release it.
She refocuses on the monster she is dealing with and sees Grimm being lifted before slammed to the ground, causing a tremor and crater. It then starts to pummel him before Rogue swoops in and pulls it off the ground by the diamond spikes on its shoulders. With a grunt of effort, she swings the creature around, using momentum to hurl it up into the air.
Rogue tries to come up with a way to end this, or at least gain an advantage, as she flies to deliver another blow at the seemingly unstoppable monster.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
The mad cackling distracts her from delivering the blow and she turns her head to see Green Goblin flying out-
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
A blinding explosion erupts from the hole, its sheer force hurls her backward, sending her spinning uncontrollably through the air. Instinctively, she had raised her hands to protect her face from the scorching heat and flying debris, making her lose focus as she falls toward the ground. She crashes hard into a pile of rocks, the impact hurting like hell.
She is disoriented and her ears are ringing from the explosion, she groans as she opens her eyes. Dust clouds her vision as she tries to steady herself, grasping at the sharp stones around her to pull herself out of the rubble.
The ringing subsides and she can hear some groaning nearby. She turns her head to see Spider-Man sprawled on the ground a few feet away, "Ow, my everything."
Rogue groans as she makes to stand on wobbly legs and calls out, "You alright there, Web Head?"
The hero lets out a deep groan as he struggles to sit up, wincing at the sharp sting of pain that courses through his body. "I am just now learning, having a better healing factor does nothing for the pain," he responds through gritted teeth. He then stands up and she sees his suit all torn up, and a part of his mask torn leaving his eye exposed and short brown hair hanging out. She sees him hiss and grab his arm that is clearly dislocated, "Argh, how does Logan put up with it?"
A roar from said man turns her attention away from the hurt hero and sees the fellow mutant charging back into the fight with the monster they've been dealing with.
"What in the name of John Carpenter's The Thing is that?!" Spider-Man shouts.
Rogue furrows her brow at the reference. 'Ah wonder why Ah didn't make that reference.'
"That's those phonies all mushed together," Rogue informs her team leader, her breath steadying as she starts to feel her second wind kicking in, "Don't know how or why, just know they've been a real pain."
She shifts her sights to the arachnid themed hero, whose exposed eye widens in realization, "Oh god, he did this?" He says in horror. He then looks up at the flying madman, "I have to stop him. I can't let him keep doing stuff like this."
She watches as he makes to stand and hisses in pain as he does so. But before he fully stands, the clatter of shifting debris nearby diverts their attention. A red hand pops out from the ground, and then the rest of Red She-Hulk emerges. The powerful woman not looking very pleased and Rogue can see her hair all messed up and dirt on her, but overall she does not look harmed.
As the muscular woman gets out of the hole, Silver Sable and Black Widow come out as well. Both looking no worse for wear other than the dirt and dishevelment.
The three women catch their breath and look around before they spot Rogue and Spider-Man. They come towards them as Widow comments, "Nice job with that webbed dome of yours. Didn't know it can take blasts that big."
Spider-Man gives a one-sided shrug, since his other one is dislocated, "I like to keep some skills of mine secret."
Silver looks at him in concern, "Why didn't you join us?" She inquires.
"It's easier to make one from the outside," he informs her.
Rogue rolls her shoulders and gets ready to jump back into the fight, "We ain't got time to chitchat. Let's kick him where the good lord split him."
Spider-Man chuckles a little, a wry grin spreads underneath his mask, "I'm with you there, but first things first," he gestures to his dislocated shoulder, "Mind putting this thing back?"
Rogue nods, "I got ya," she assures him before grabbing his arm firmly, "Ready?"
"If I say no, will it *POP* MATTER!"
She takes advantage of his distraction, swiftly realigning the joint with a quick, practiced motion. As he groans in pain, she offers a small, apologetic look. "It's easier to deal with when you don't expect it."
His eyes are squeezed shut from the pain, but one cracks open, shooting her a suspicious look. "Why do I feel like you enjoyed that more than you should?"
She tries not to smirk, she does still hold some resentment to the hurt hero, before she stands up and refocuses on the situation, "So what's the plan?"
Spider-Man stands up while he rolls his shoulder, "You guys keep dealing with those things, I'll deal with Goblin." He says.
Rogue nods as she leaps back into the fight, launching towards the Frost/G-Ball monster that is locked in a struggle with The Thing. She comes up from behind Grimm to deliver a strong blow to the creature he is wrestling with, giving Grimm the opening he needs to overpower it and toss it to the ground.
Peter looks up at his most horrible enemy with his female companions behind him, as the psychopath looks at the battle with glee, clearly taking joy in creating such monstrosities. And Peter can't help but wonder how. Cosmic forces were never in Norman's wheelhouse, and its definitely not something anyone can pick up overnight. The man was smart, but not Tony or Reed smart. 'How did Norman pull this all off?' He wonders, 'The man runs around carrying bombs in a purse! Clearly he's not that smart!'
Green Goblin laughs mockingly, "Well, it looks like everything is going as it should, mostly," he declares as he glances at Spider-Man, "Now it's time for me to keep up my end of the bargain."
Goblin twirls in the air before soaring down towards the hero, Spider-Man meets him head on as he leaps at the villain in an attempt to tackle him off his glider. Goblin reacts in time to avoid him by ducking, but Spider-Man fires a webline, latching onto Green Goblin's glider as the madman soars high into the air. Red She-Hulk leaps up and wraps her arms around Spider-Man's shoulder.
"Don't let go, Wall Crawler," Goblin mocks his foe as he presses another button on his glider and it hums, "Wouldn't want you to get lost."
The glider powers up, making both heroes worry for an attack. It concentrates energy to the mouth of the glider then fires a beam into the air, but it doesn't hit anything. Instead it coalesces into a swirling vortex of cosmic energy.
"This could be bad!" Spidey shouts to his partner, as she squeezes tighter when they head towards the vortex, "Don't let go!"
The world blurs around them, colors bleeding together as they enter the portal. As if they are passing through a kaleidoscope. Then in an instant, everything returns to normal, and Spider-Man lets go of the webline, letting both him and Ross skid across the ground. He quickly regains his bearings and sees that they are in a completely different landscape. One that has a rocky terrain and a mountain with four faces on it just behind him.
"Mt. Rushmore?" Spider-Man questions as he looks around in confusion, "Why did-?"
Before Spider-Man can finish his thought, a series of explosions erupt from behind them as Goblin is tossing bombs with reckless abandon all across the famous landmark.
"We need to stop him!" Betty shouts with fear in her voice and leaps at their flying foe.
Spider-Man jumps and fires a webline onto the mountain to follow after her, and wonders why she sounds so concerned about the monument. Sure, it's a national treasure, but it's not like they haven't already dealt with monuments being damaged before. Well, on his end at least. He's not too sure about her own mishaps. But she was married to Hulk and is now a hulk herself, so its a safe bet to assume as much.
He gets to the top and sees Betty making a massive leap at Goblin. The madman cackles, dodging her attack with ease, his glider twirling in a spiral that sends her sailing past him.
"You know," Spider-Man calls out as he fires some webbing to stop some bombs from exploding, "most tourists just take pictures!"
"This is no mere tourist attraction, arachnid!" Goblin shouts, tossing another pumpkin bomb at the base of Washington's stone face. "This mountain harbors a secret that even your pathetic mind couldn't comprehend!"
Red She-Hulk, who had just landed back on top of the mountain beside Spider-Man, gasps as her eyes widen in horror, "You know about the Terranometer? How?"
Spider-Man whips his head around at her, "Wait!" He says in surprise, "That thing you said helped you stop Jonah from being killed and prevented Osborn from being President? That's inside Mt Rushmore?!"
"That's right!" Green Goblin answers for her as he prepares another bomb, like the one that decimated the military base, "And with it out of the way, you will not be able to stop me!"
Red She-Hulk's face contorts with anger as she lunges forward in an attempt to stop him, but it's too late. Green Goblin activates the synthetic cosmic cube again with a flick of the wrist, channeling its energy into the bomb. The device pulses with an otherworldly blue glow that makes Spider-Man's spider-sense scream at him. Goblin hurls the bomb directly at Jefferson's stone face, cackling with manic glee.
Spider-Man fires a webline to Betty's back and pulls her away into his arms before leaping off the mountain with her protesting at him. A blinding flash, followed by a colossal shockwave, propels him farther than he wanted, and then the deafening roar of the explosion erupts.
The duo are propelled a good distance away and crash onto the rocky terrain below. Spider-Man instinctively takes the brunt of the impact, his body acting as a shield for Betty as they tumble across the ground. Until they finally come to a stop, with a cloud of dust and debris.
After enduring a second explosion that rocked the landscape, Spider-Man regains his bearing again looks up to see the horrifying aftermath. Where their were once four faces of the founding fathers, now a gaping, smoldering hole. Smoke billows from the wound in the mountain, and the destructive force has created cracks that spread across the mountain.
Suddenly, Red grabs his by his tattered collar and glares at him angrily, "Why did you pull me back?!"
"That was a bomb filled with cosmic energy," he tells her, reeling back from her anger.
She growls as her eyes glow yellow and she shoves him back, "I would have been fine!"
He regains his footing, firmly plants his feet and looks up at her, "No you wouldn't have!" He states as he looks at her unafraid of her anger, "I had the Enigma force inside me when I fought Hulk once. I could have killed him but I held back." He points at the mountain, "Osborn didn't. That would have killed you."
Red She-Hulk's anger falters momentarily as she glances back at the devastated mountain, processing Spider-Man's words. The massive crater where the presidents' faces once stood continues to smoke and crumble. She growls before she makes a massive leap and Spider-Man follows after her. And when they land, Rulkie's massive frame creates a strong enough gust to blow away the dust and debris.
Spider-Man's eyes widen in dread at the sight before him, "Oh god."
Behind where the presidents' faces once stood is a cavernous chamber, now laid bare by the explosion. Inside, scattered among the debris and twisted metal of what must have been an advanced facility, lie bodies. Not just any bodies—men and women in distinctive uniforms bearing an ancient symbol: a shield with a stylized eye at its center.
Red She-Hulk's face contorts with rage as she stares at the carnage before them. The bodies of her fellow members of the Order of the Shield lie strewn among the smoking rubble, their lives snuffed out in an instant by Osborn's madness. Her massive red hands clench into fists, knuckles cracking as tremors of fury course through her. "The Order of the Shield," Betty's voice filled with pain and anger at the sight. "They were still inside."
Spider-Man stares at the carnage, his exposed eye wide in horror, as he takes in the devastation. Dozens of bodies are strewn throughout the exposed chamber, some crushed by the rocks, others scorched by the explosion.
"HAHAHAHA!" Goblins cruel laughter up above echoes across the night, "The ancient protectors and their precious relic, reduced to dust and memory! One task complete!"
Red practically snarls before she whirls around and roars in fury, "YOU MONSTER!"
But Norman is ready. He activates the synthetic cosmic cube again, creating a pulse of energy that knocks Red She-Hulk off course. She tumbles through the air, slamming into what remains of the iconic mountain, now made rubble.
Peter doesn't hear them. All he hears is Goblin laughing. Laughing at the dead bodies, enjoying the devastation he caused.
'Whenever I'm around, wherever I am, no one dies,' his vow echoes in his head. The vow he made after Marla Jameson had died. Mary Jane told him it was stupid, because it was impossible. He was once again, placing far too much on his shoulders. Like always. He always takes what the world seems to throw at him alone. Never relying on anyone else. Looking at the devastation before him…
These people... people he's never met, never knew existed until today, are dead. All of them. Dozens of lives snuffed out in an instant, and he couldn't save a single one. The weight of his failure crashes down on him like the rubble of the mountain.
Green Goblin swoops lower, his manic grin stretching across his face. "What's the matter, Spider-Man? Cat got your tongue? Or is it the realization that once again, you've failed?"
The taunt pierces through Spider-Man's shock. Something inside him snaps. A burning, uncontrollable rage surges through his veins, overwhelming his senses. His vision narrows, focusing solely on the cackling madman hovering above him.
With explosive force, cracking the ground beneath his feet, he launches himself upward, crossing the distance between them in a heartbeat. Goblin's eyes widen in surprise, and before he can maneuver out of the way, Spider-Man crashes into him, tackling him off the glider. Goblin didn't expect such speed, such fury. They hurtle toward the ground, Spider-Man's fists hammering into Goblin's face with each passing second. The impact when they hit the earth creates a small crater, dust billowing outward from the force.
"You think this is funny?!" Spider-Man snarls, pinning Goblin beneath him. His fists rain down mercilessly, each blow carrying the weight of his rage. "All these people... dead... and you're LAUGHING?!"
Goblin tries to fight back, his hand fumbling for a pumpkin bomb, but Peter catches his wrist and squeezes until bones crack beneath his grip. Norman screams, but Peter doesn't stop. He doesn't want to stop. The rage is too pure, too righteous. He feels the primal urge, the need to stop this man from hurting anyone else.
He hits him more and more, he doesn't know is he's holding back or not. Just that he needs to hurt this monster.
Goblin's mask is torn, revealing Norman's battered face underneath. Even through the blood and bruises, the madman manages a weak laugh. "Look at you... just like me after all... a monster..."
Spider has his fist raised for another blow, but a sudden flash of light erupts behind them as Norman activated a device on his belt. The synthetic cosmic cube on the glider pulses, creating another swirling portal. Spider-Man tries to leap away, but Norman grabs his torn costume, holds out his hand for his glider to take them through the vortex.
"Spider-Man!"
The world spins in a kaleidoscope of colors again, Spider-Man holds on to his enemy as they tumble out of the vortex. His rage doesn't subside, even as they crash land on solid ground, rolling across damp grass. The impact separates them, sending Norman skidding in one direction while Spider-man in another.
The hero recovers fast and looks around to see that they are not in South Dakota anymore, but back home in New York. Only they are in a graveyard. One that Peter frequently visits.
Goblin's laughter makes him look over to see the man getting to his feet and smiling at the hero, "It's good to be back home, wouldn't you agree, Parker?"
(Death Valley)
Back at with the Unity team, Wanda is straining underneath the Magneto/Cyclops/Magik fused monster, as the creature's blade is pushing against her hex barrier, causing the magical shield to crack like glass under the pressure.
She is saved by Hope when the young girl leaps into action and punches the creature in the back of the head with her hex fist, disrupting its power. This brief interruption gave Wanda the crucial moment she needed. With a swift motion, she redirected the creature's momentum, sending it hurtling toward Thor, who was flying back towards them after being knocked away. The Norse god hits the creature with a blast of lightning from his hammer, scorching the earth and sending it down to the ground.
Yet, in less than ten seconds, the monster rose once more, its roar reverberating through the battlefield and shaking the very air around the heroes. Undeterred, Carol and Havok unleashed their powers, beams of concentrated energy blasting toward the beast. But the creature retaliated, its eyes firing with a unstable intensity as it countered their attack with a powerful blast of its own.
Across the battlefield, Rogue, Wolverine, and The Thing battle the Emma/Golden Ball fusion with equal ferocity. The gold-diamond-spiked-skinned monstrosity lashes out with spikey golden projectiles and sharp diamond blade fingers.
"I'm gettin' real tired of this!" Logan growls, his healing factor working overtime to repair the damage from multiple hits. He slashes at the monster, nicking diamond spikes off its back, and avoids its attempt to grab him by sliding underneath.
Thing comes up from behind and clobbers the creature on the head, and it barely budges. It retaliates with a powerful swing that knocks Grimm away. Rogue catches the Fantastic Four member, getting pushed back as a result. She strains for a second before she sets him down.
Thing groans and rubs his head, "Dat ting packs a mean swing," he comments. He looks at Rogue, "Tanks for catching' me."
Ignoring the fact it didn't sound very sincere, Rogue nods and responds, "Don't mention it, big guy." She looks back at the creature Logan is slashing, but it heals and barely reacts to his attacks, "We ain't getting anywhere with these things. No matter how hard we hit them, they keep getting back up."
"It's da cosmic hooha inside dem," Thing informs her as he stands up, "I've been in enough scraps wit folks who got da same ting in 'em tah know it's gonna take a minute."
Rogue raises a brow at her teammate, "Got any suggestions?" She inquires.
Thing punches his palm, "Just keep wackin' 'em! Works when you got notin else!"
Thing charges back into the fray, shoulder tackling the monster, while Rogue hangs back for a moment to come up with a plan. Her absorption powers are useless against these things, and trying to hurt them is pointless since they're pretty much impervious.
All of this because of one thing. Cosmic energy. The only familiarity the southern girl has with it is with Danvers. And though the unpleasantness of that experience was more due to Captain Marvel's Kree DNA, Rogue knows cosmic energy is no joke since her powers got that upgrade. But it still messed with her.
The realization hits Rogue like a freight train. All this time they've been trying to beat these creatures into submission, when what they need is someone who can mess with the very power keeping them alive, manipulate it. These creatures aren't just fusions of mutants, they're powered by something far beyond normal mutant abilities. Whatever Osborn did to create these abominations, he used cosmic energy as the binding agent, the power source keeping these meshed parts functioning as terrible wholes.
So, they need someone who can screw with it.
She scans the battlefield, her gaze settling on the scarlet-clad woman who's maintaining a defensive hex shield against the other monster with the sword hand. Wanda Maximoff. Rogue flies over to the woman and sees Carol kick the abomination away, giving the Scarlet Witch a reprieve.
It leaves a bitter taste to rely on that woman. After everything the Witch had done, from nearly wiping out mutantkind to it leading a fraction of the X-Men and then a war between the heroes, well Rogue wishes the woman never came back. But she did and, though it pains her to admit it, Wanda was instrumental in defeating Cyclops when he had the Phoenix in him.
Still though, she does not trust that woman. But right now, those feelings need to take a backseat. These creatures aren't going down by brute force alone, and Wanda's reality-warping abilities might be their only shot.
"This ain't the time for old grudges," she tells herself, though the words feel hollow even as she says them. She touches down by the hex user, as the woman is on her knees, out of breath, and says, "Wanda. I need to ask you something."
Wanda looks up at Rogue and asks, "What is it?"
"Why aren't you tearing these things apart?" Rogue questions ex's daughter.
The hex user looks at her confused as she makes to stand up, "What do you mean?"
"I mean I've seen you take on Scott and Emma when they had the Phoenix inside 'em," Rogue states and points to the creatures, "These things ain't tougher than them. Not even close."
Wanda shakes her head, "It's not a matter of their power Rogue. It's the nature of it."
Now Rogue looks at her teammate confused, "What do you mean?"
"I've dealt with many enemies who have used cosmic energy," Wanda explains as she looks at the creatures that are battling her friends and teammates with furrowed brows. "But there is something more to these things. Something I cannot explain."
Not really understanding and not really caring at the moment, Rogue frustratingly asks, "So you can't do nothin'?"
"I didn't say that," Wanda responds. She takes a breath and hex energy begins to gather in her hands, "I need time. These things are relentless, they haven't given me any time to prepare."
Rogue, relieved to hear that this can end, asks the witch the question, "How much do you need?"
"Five minutes," Wanda tells her and Rogue nods, "You need to bring get them close together."
"Easier said than done," Rogue voices. She looks back at the creatures with determination and cracks her knuckles, "But we'll get it done."
Rogue flies back into the fray, determination set in her jaw. She spots Widow and Silver hovering above in the Quinjet, providing covering fire for their teammates below.
"Widow! Silver!" she calls through her comms. "We need to get these things together. We got a plan!"
"Copy that," Natasha's voice crackles back. "We'll coordinate from above."
The Quinjet banks sharply, unleashing a barrage of suppressive fire that forces the Emma/Golden Ball creature to lurch backward. Rogue seizes the opportunity, diving toward Logan and Thing.
"We need to push this thing toward the other one!" she shouts over the chaos. "Wanda needs them together!"
Logan doesn't waste breath on questions and just attacks with Thing following after him. Wolverine slashes at the legs while Ben hits it in its stomach/fake Emma's face.
Across the battlefield, Natasha's voice cuts through everyone's comms: "Thor, Carol, Havok, drive your target back toward the center. We're bringing them together."
Thor's hammer connects with the sword-arm of the creature, the impact sending shockwaves across the desert floor. Carol follows up with a photon blast that pushes it further back, while Havok circles around, forcing it to retreat in the direction they want.
Slowly, the two teams drive the monstrosities toward each other. The creatures resist merely because they want to destroy them. The Emma fusion launches volleys of golden spikes that force the heroes to scatter momentarily, while the Magneto fusion uses its magnetic powers to hurl debris at its attackers.
As the creatures near each other, Hope appears at Wanda's side, her young face set with determination. "What do you need me to do?" she asks.
Wanda's hands glow crimson as she channels her hex energy. "I need you to mimic what I'm doing," she explains, her voice strained with concentration. "These creatures are bound by cosmic energy, but there's something... unstable about it. We need to unravel that bond."
Hope nods, focusing intently on Wanda's movements, the energy patterns she's weaving. Slowly, her own hands begin to emit the same scarlet glow.
In the center of the battlefield, the two monstrosities finally come together, back to back, surrounded by the Unity team. They roar in unison, the sound deafening, but the heroes reman undeterred by it.
Rogue flies between both creatures, taunting and distracting, making herself a target they both want to pursue. It's dangerous work—she narrowly avoids a diamond spike that would have impaled her, and a moment later has to barrel roll away from an energy blast that singes her hair.
"How's that time comin', Wanda?" she shouts, seeing the Scarlet Witch with her arms raised, crimson energy swirling around her in complex patterns.
"Almost ready!" Wanda calls back, her voice strained with concentration. The air around her crackles with power, reality itself seeming to bend at her fingertips. Hope stands beside her, mimicking her movements, learning the spell in real-time.
The creatures sense something is happening. Their attacks grow more frenzied, more desperate. The Magneto fusion tries to pull itself away using magnetic forces, but Thor counters with a mighty swing of Mjolnir that sends it tumbling back toward the center.
"Now!" Wanda shouts, and unleashes a massive wave of hex energy that engulfs both creatures. The crimson field expands outward, enveloping the monsters in a dome of reality-warping power.
Inside, the cosmic energy binding the fusions together begins to unravel. The creatures writhe and howl, their forms distorting as Wanda's magic separates what should never have been joined. Hope mimics the spell, adding her power to Wanda's, creating a resonance that amplifies the effect.
The Emma/Golden Ball fusion is the first to break apart. With a flash of light, the diamond skin cracks and shatters, golden spikes melting away as the cosmic energy holding it together dissipates. What remains are two hollowed husks of human remains. The two phonies that were meshed together.
The Cyclops/Magneto/Magik fusion struggles longer, its power more complex, more tightly bound. It lashes out with a final desperate attack, a wave of magnetic force that sends debris flying in all directions. Thor and Carol move quickly, shielding their teammates from the barrage.
Wanda grits her teeth, sweat beading on her forehead as she pours more power into the hex. "Hope!" she calls. "Hit it now!"
Hope doesn't hesitate. With a cry of effort, she channels the hex energy she's been mimicking into her fist and launches herself at the writhing monster. Her hex-empowered punch connects with the creature's core, and there's a blinding flash of crimson light.
The explosion sends everyone staggering backward. When the light fades, where the monsters once stood are now three separate bodies, the remains of the mutant imposters, their cosmic energy dissipated.
Rogue lands beside the fallen forms, her breath coming in heavy gasps. "They're... they're dead," she says, looking at what was once meant to be the impersonator of Emma Frost. "Like the life got sucked out of them."
Wanda approaches slowly, her own energy depleted from the spell. "Whatever Osborn did to create these people," she says, "he used cosmic energy to give them power in exchange for their freedom. They stopped being truly alive."
Thor lands with a heavy thud beside them, Mjolnir hanging at his side. "A foul magic indeed," he rumbles. "One that mocks the very nature of life itself."
The team gathers around the fallen foes, the battle finally over. The desert is scarred with craters and scorched earth, but they've prevailed.
Natasha's voice comes through their comms. "Good work, everyone. But we've got another problem."
The Quinjet descends, touching down nearby. Natasha and Silver emerge, their expressions grim.
"We just got word from SHIELD," Natasha says as the team approaches. "Mount Rushmore has been destroyed."
A collective shock ripples through the group.
"What?" Carol asks, her voice disbelieving. "How?"
"Green Goblin," Silver answers, her tone flat. "According to SHIELD's satellite imagery, he teleported there with Spider-Man and Red She-Hulk in pursuit."
Nobody likes the sound of this. Rogue is the one to ask the next question, "And now?"
(New York, Cemetary)
The cemetery. The place where so many of his losses are marked by cold stone and fading flowers. Spider-Man's rage simmers as he recognizes exactly where they are—the same cemetery where Gwen Stacy lies. Where Uncle Ben rests. Where too many people he's failed now sleep beneath the earth.
"Feeling nostalgic?" Norman taunts, his battered face twisted into that manic grin, blood trickling from his split lip. "I thought you might appreciate the venue. So many of your loved ones are resting here, after all."
"You've always had a sick sense of humor, Norman," Spider-Man says, his voice dangerously low as he stalks toward his nemesis. The rage still burns inside him, but it's focused now, cold and calculating rather than wild and uncontrolled.
Goblin staggers to his feet, "I thought you might appreciate the reunion," he cackles, gesturing broadly to the tombstones surrounding them. "So many of your failures in one convenient location."
Spider-Man moves like lightning, crossing the distance between them in a heartbeat. His fist connects with Goblin's jaw, sending the villain sprawling across the damp grass. "You don't get to talk about them," he snarls, standing over his fallen enemy.
Goblin spits blood onto the ground and laughs. "Why not? I put plenty people here myself, As Norman and Goblin." His eyes glint with malice in the moonlight. "Though as the Green Goblin, I can't take credit for all of them as. Some died simply because they knew you. Because you weren't fast enough, strong enough, smart enough..."
Spider-Man's next punch drives Goblin into the ground hard enough to create a small crater in the soft cemetery soil. "I said SHUT UP!"
But Goblin doesn't stop. Even as blood pours from his nose and mouth, he keeps talking, his voice a raspy wheeze. "I am responsible for many bodies buried here, Parker," Norman says with sadistic glee and then points to the hero, "But you have quite a few here yourself, don't you."
The accusation lands like a knife between Peter's ribs, twisting painfully. He's heard this before, from Jameson, from himself in his darkest moments. He tries to tell himself he does good, enough to make up for all the bad. But it's not. It will never be enough.
He glances over where he knows his Uncle Ben is buried. Though he has made peace and forgiven himself for that tragedy, the pain will always be there. He looks back at Gwen's gravestone, the one underneath the tree, where his greatest failure will always be.
Goblin activates something on his suit, and the cosmic energy surges through him, healing his wounds and reinforcing his armor. "You know what the difference is between us, Parker? I own what I am. I revel in it. You? You pretend to be the hero while everyone around you dies. You lead death right to their doorstep and call it bad luck."
Spider-Man goes silent for a moment. It hangs heavily in the air of the moonlit cemetery and Goblin grins, believing his words had found their mark.
Goblin activates something on his suit, and the cosmic energy surges through him, healing his wounds and reinforcing his armor. He lunges forward with renewed strength, the cosmic energy coursing through his armor giving him enhanced speed and power. His fist connects with Spider-Man's jaw, sending the hero staggering backward. Peter tastes blood in his mouth but doesn't fall.
"Nothing to say?" Norman taunts, delivering another blow to the silent hero. "No clever quip? No righteous denial?"
Spider-Man blocks the next blow with one hand and then wipes the blood from his split lip with the back of his other hand. The tattered remains of his mask flutter in the cool night breeze. His exposed eye glares Goblin, who is attempting to pull his hand away.
"You know what, Norman?" he finally says, his voice steady and calm. "I've heard this speech before. From you. From Jameson. From every two-bit villain who thinks they've figured me out. Even from my own guilty conscious." He pulls him in and hits the villain in his solar plexus, knocking all the air out of Norman, and continues to speak, "Yeah, people I care about have died. Some of them because of decisions I made. Some because of psychopaths like you. And every single one of those deaths weighs on me."
He judo flips him to the ground, making another crater, but does not let go of his arm, "I never forget who I fail. Because each failure I learned an important lesson each time."
He spins around and around, holding onto Green Goblins arm, before he lets him go and watches him break through some gravestones. "One lesson that's been always been clear, is that I can't give up no matter what. I don't have that privilege."
Spider-Man stalks toward Norman, who scrambles backward across the graves, his hand fumbling for something on his belt. "You think your little speech changes anything?" Goblin snarls, blood trickling from his mouth. "You're still nothing but a failure!"
A roar of an engine sounds in the cemetery and Spider-Man's spider-sense flares. The hero whirls around to catch the glider and stop its flight just as the blades were about to reach him.
Norman pushes himself up from the rubble, cosmic energy crackling across his armor in jagged blue lines. His mask is completely gone now, revealing his face twisted in a mixture of pain and hatred. Blood trickles from a gash on his forehead, running down into his wild eyes.
"You talk about lessons," Norman spits, staggering to his feet. "Let me teach you one final lesson, Parker."
He raises his hand, his glider responds instantly. The synthetic cosmic cube embedded in its center pulses with increasing intensity, bathing the gravestones in an eerie blue glow.
"That cube," Norman says, his voice taking on an almost reverential tone as the glider hovers beside him, "contains enough power to level this entire city. My benefactor ensured it would be capable of completing any task I set before it."
The glider's engines intensify, the blue energy from the cube spreading throughout the machine, transforming it into something more sinister. The metal warps and shifts, extending sharp, blade-like protrusions from its sides. The face of the glider, normally shaped like a bat or demon, now glows with the same cosmic energy, its "mouth" opening to reveal what looks like a cannon forming within.
"I've already completed my primary objective," Norman continues, climbing onto the transformed glider. "The Terranometer is destroyed. But why stop there? Why not finish what I started all those years ago with dear Gwendolyn?"
He gestures expansively at the cemetery around them. "I'll start by desecrating every grave here—your uncle, your first love, all of them. Then I'll move on to the living. Your aunt, your friends, your... harem." He spits the last word with disgust and Peter's eyes widen in shock of Norman's knowledge. "And you'll watch it all, helpless as always."
Spider-Man's grip tightens on the glider, his muscles straining against the machine as it tries to break free. The cosmic energy coursing through it burns his hands, but he doesn't let go. His mind races as he processes Norman's threats against everyone he loves.
"You know what your problem is, Norman?" Peter says through gritted teeth. "You never learn."
Spider-Man wrenches the glider downward, slamming it into the ground. The impact causes the machine to shudder, but the synthetic cosmic cube continues to pulse with dangerous energy. He then grabs it and wrenches it free from its confines. The moment it leaves the glider, the machine powers down, its transformation reversing as it drops to the ground with a heavy thud. But the cube in Peter's hands continues to pulse, its energy seeking release.
Norman's eyes widen in panic as he sees the synthetic cosmic cube in Spider-Man's hands. "You fool! Do you have any idea what you're doing?" he shrieks, scrambling backward. "That cube is unstable without the glider's containment system!"
The cube pulses violently in Peter's grasp, cosmic energy crackling around his fingers like blue lightning. Each pulse sends waves of pain shooting up his arms, but he refuses to let go. His spider-sense screams at him to throw it away, to run, but he knows what would happen if he did.
'Break it.'
The voice isn't audible, not really. It's more like a thought that isn't his own, planted directly into his mind. And somehow, Peter knows exactly what it means.
"Actually," Spider-Man responds to his long time nemesis through gritted teeth, "I know exactly what I'm doing."
Spider-Man squeezes the cube between his palms. The synthetic cosmic container begins to crack, hairline fractures spreading across its surface as blue light spills from within. He doesn't even hear Norman shout at him to stop. The cube shatters in Peter's hands with a sound of breaking glass, but multiplied a thousand times.
The world around him vanishes in a flash of blue light.
Peter's eyes snap open and he finds himself in floating space. He freaks out for a moment, grabbing his throat in fear of not being able to breath, but finds that there is nothing wrong with him.
He looks down at his hands to see if he died again, but sees that he is not ethereal.
"Well, at least I'm not dead," he says, flexing his fingers. He looks around again and he comments, "But did I get teleported or something?"
"No you did not." A powerful voice echoes around him.
The hero whirls around and becomes shocked by what he comes face to face with. Its form was colossal, it can give Galactus a run for his money, and it's body is a swirling nebula of stars and solar systems. It shifts between male and female traits every time he blinks, which is just confusing him. But it doesn't matter because he does know what this is.
It is embodiment of the Enigma Force, Captain Universe.
Peter is shocked silent for a moment before he finally raises his hand and awkwardly says, "Hi."
The cosmic being stares at the hero with it's blank white eyes, "Peter Parker," its voice loud as it stares down at the hero, "A former host to the power of the Enigma Force."
Spider-Man nods and smacks his lips, "That's me," he confirms. Another awkward moment of silence passes between them, before the hero decides to ask, "So if I'm not dead, then can you tell me what's going on?"
"You have freed me of my containment," the E-Force says to him, "I thank you."
He shifts around awkwardly, not really knowing what to do. "So you okay?
The entity appears bothered, and looks away from the hero, "My power was being abused. Used by sentient mammals, who hungered for power and destruction. But that is not what it was ever meant for."
"Well maybe if you chose a permanent host, it wouldn't be such a problem," He points out.
"I have spent eons searching for the perfect host. And in all that time, I've only found a few," it says before it looks back at him, "You being one.
Seeing where this is going, he raises his hand in a stopping motion and says, "I'm flattered, but I've got enough on my plate."
The Enigma Force seems to consider this. "You speak of the Phoenix," it says, its voice softening slightly. "The cosmic fire that consumes and recreates."
Peter tilts his head curiously at the entity, "How did-woah!" Suddenly his world shifts rapidly and he finds himself in the Lair of the Other, where the Phoenix egg is still wrapped around webbing. "How did we get here?
"We are not here. I am. " It tells him as it kneels by the egg, caressing it.
"Okay?" He says while wondering what it's doing and why, "Then why are you here? And why are you showing me you're here?"
The Enigma Force turns its cosmic gaze to Peter, and though its face lacks conventional expression, he senses something like contemplation radiating from it.
"I am here because of the connection," it explains, its voice reverberating through the metaphysical space. "The Phoenix Force and I are... kindred. Different aspects of the same cosmic tapestry."
Peter approaches cautiously, watching as the entity continues to examine the webbed egg. The cocoon pulses with an inner light, orange and gold flickering beneath the silken strands like a heartbeat.
"So you're like cosmic cousins?" Peter asks, his usual quips returning now that the immediate danger has passed. "Do you get together for holiday dinners? Exchange birthday cards across the universe?"
The Enigma Force doesn't respond to his humor, instead placing both hands on the egg. The webbing around the egg begins to glow where the Enigma Force touches it, the strands separating and unraveling of their own accord. As they pull apart, the shell beneath becomes visible—a translucent surface that shimmers with colors that don't exist in the normal spectrum.
"Whoa, wait," Peter steps forward, suddenly alarmed. "What are you doing? That thing nearly destroyed the world last time it was out!"
"You misunderstand," the Enigma Force says, its voice gentle despite its immense power. "The Phoenix Force is neither good nor evil. It is rebirth, destruction followed by creation. Its nature depends on its host, and in its current state—young, unformed—it poses no threat."
The last of the webbing falls away, and the egg begins to crack. Light spills from the fissures, not the all-consuming fire Peter remembers from the Phoenix Five incident, but a soft, warm glow that feels almost... innocent.
"The cycle begins anew," the Enigma Force intones as the shell splits open.
From within emerges not the terrifying cosmic raptor Peter expected, but a small, fluffy chick. Its downy feathers shimmer with embers and starlight, and its tiny eyes blink up at them with unmistakable curiosity. It lets out a soft chirp that somehow conveys both vulnerability and immense potential.
"It's... a baby," Peter says, incredulous. He'd expected apocalyptic fire, not something that looked like it belonged in a farm.
"All things begin small," the Enigma Force answers. "Even cosmic entities."
The tiny Phoenix chick hops around the remains of its shell, exploring its surroundings with innocent wonder. It chirps at the Enigma force beofre it turns its sights at peter. It flaps its wings, almost seems like she is excited to see him, before it hops off the egg shells and travels towards him, attempting to fly as well. Eventually, it gets to his feet and Peter kneels down and picks it up.
He studies it closely, finding it hard to believe that this is the same cosmic entity that caused so much strife over the years.
"Well, I already have a baby shark with four legs that followed me home from a magical island," he comments as he picks up the bird, "I guess a bird of fire that got hatched by the universe isn't so bad."
At what point does he lose his sanity?
The Enigma force stands up again and says, "You are its host, its protector and guide. It knows this."
Spider-Man puts the bird on his shoulder, and is still weary of this, "How do I make sure it doesn't go all dark again?"
"A good start? Avoid doing what Charles Xavier did. Give it it's freedom," the Enigma force tells him.
Peter glances at the bird on his shoulder. Easier said than done.
"I entrust you with this endeavor." It tells him as it walks closer to him, "But you will not be entirely alone. As you have mentioned. I am in need of a proper and more permanent host."
Peter looks at the cosmic being curiously, "You have someone in mind."
It nods, "I do. And it will also be a reward for your help."
"A reward?"
Before he can ask anything more, the entity plucks a feather from the baby bird and a bright light engulfs them all.
(Cemetery)
Spider-Man groans as he cracks open his eyes, the world blurry from the third blinding light to hit his eyes. At this point, he might go permanently blind.
"Welcome back," a welcomed voice greets him. His vision clears and he sees the his team surrounding him in a semi circle. Widow is kneeling closest, her hand on his shoulder as she asks, "How are you feeling?"
The hero closes his eyes and groans again, "I've been blown up and blinded by cosmic energy all night. I need a nap."
He swears he hears Widow huff in amusement, but when he opens his eyes he sees her face has the usual stoic expression. "Well, lucky for you, the fights over."
He sags in relief, "Thank god," he says before he looks around, "You guys got Norman?"
His friends and teamates all look down in frustration as Silver answers, "No. He was gone when we arrived. No trace of him."
"What?" He says in disbelief again. He then grumbles in frustration and looks up at the night sky, "You couldn't have woken me up seconds after the blast."
"We just got here," Ben says, believing he was talking to them.
"Not you guys" he tells them, "When I had the cosmic cube in my hands, the Enigma Force talked to me. Asked me if I wanted to be its host."
They all look at him curiously, and Logan asks the obvious, "What'd you say?"
"I said no," he informs them, making them feel relief, "I got enough to deal with. No way am I adding more if I can help it."
"Smart move," Logan grunts, lighting a cigar despite the somber setting of the cemetery.
Spider-Man attempts to stand, his muscles protesting every movement. Natasha and Silver each take an arm, supporting him as he rises to his feet.
A hollow rumble disturbs the air, drawing all eyes toward the far side of the cemetery. Logan's head snaps up first, his acute hearing picking up on something the others can't yet detect.
"Something's moving," he growls, unsheathing his claws.
The ground begins to shake beneath one of the graves, dirt and small stones trembling before cascading away from a central point. Despite his exhaustion, Spider-Man let's go of the two woman and forces himself to his feet, muscles tensing in preparation.
"Everyone get ready," he commands.
The team forms a defensive perimeter, weapons raised and powers at the ready. The rumbling intensifies as something pushes up from beneath the earth, soil erupting like a miniature volcano. A pale hand breaks through first, fingers clawing desperately at the night air.
Spider-Man's heart stops in his chest. He knows that grave. He's stood before it countless times, whispering apologies to the cold stone, leaving flowers that could never make up for what was lost.
The team watches in stunned silence as a figure pulls itself from the disturbed earth, blonde hair matted with soil, clothes torn and filthy. When she finally emerges completely, standing unsteadily on the desecrated grave, she looks around in confusion, her gaze eventually settling on the stunned hero in the tattered costume.
Spider-Man takes a single, faltering step forward, his voice barely a whisper as he utters a single word.
"Gwen?"