From time to time, there arise among human beings, people, who seem to exude love, as naturally as the sun gives out heat.
'Sunrise'-Our Last Night
...
It's during the time of restoration, as the world slowly begins to rebuild itself, the debris and wreckage being cleared away and them all rising from those ashes (perhaps a bad metaphor given the circumstance) that he finds himself observing the two teens much closer than normal. They are more than the average teenager, more intune with their surroundings, and connected in a way that he can't yet decipher.
It's the little things that set them apart, the way they handle themselves, as others struggle to gather themselves back from the devastating hit that the universe had taken, they seem to find their way easier then most who are twice their age. They gravitate towards each other in a way that he's never witnessed before.
Wong pulls him aside the following week, having observed the same odd behavior from the youngest in their group of 'supers', "Strange, there is something I must show you, I fear it may have to do with the children."
And he follows without question, he is not fond of children, Stephen Strange never intended for himself to have any. He had enough of them from his time in the hospital, starting back to his days of shadowing and clinicals, they were messy and noisy. But these two were unlike any children he'd ever seen before.
Wong pulls a particularly dusty book from one of the many shelves in the library, it blows a cloud of it into their faces when he slams it down on the table, and they wave their hands in an attempt to fan it away. It's an ancient tome with nothing but beads decorating the cover, and the pages crackle as the librarian turns them with purpose.
Until he rests on a page. Stephen reads it over his shoulder silently, the cloak rustling over his shoulders in an attempt to see for itself, and his eyes widen as they turn to meet Wong's grim expression.
"They wouldn't."
"Except they did."
...
Its down to me and you, in this cold and empty room, forgotten what we're dying for. Just tell me what to change. Just tell me what to say.
'Dust&Gold'-Arrows To Athens
...
When the world disappears, half her children leaving like dust in the breeze (too real of an expression then it should be) she mourns. Young children cry out at the sudden and frightening loss of their parents. Pets watch their companions leave them and wait for them to never return. Friends scream as friends leave. Chaos erupts in a moment.
Car crashes rise. Death tolls with it. And not a soul on earth knows what's going on.
No one knows of the wizard on Titan who claims this to be the only way to win this battle.
He's seen all the possible outcomes of this war they fight and the only one where they win with minimal true loss, and blows away just as the others did, a young man, a spiderchild, begs to be able to stay and ultimately the universe cannot grant such a wish despite its best efforts.
Wakanda is in ruins. Its king is gone again. The queen mourning her son once more, it's princess has yet to be found, and she mourns the loss of her entire family. Cursing whomever is listening for not allowing her to be taken with them. And then she holds her chin high, sucks in her tears, and steps out to see what's left of her beautiful people, and they mourn together.
The ones who were taken are gathered in their prison of orange, the Soul Stone it's called, and they try to gather themselves together, and find any they may know from before the snap. There they remain until their liberation. The heroes that were taken with them try to maintain the peace, calming those who need calming, and attempt to place the order back in the chaos that surrounds them.
Strange looks about him, eyes searching for the child that had been taken moments before him, the key to this entire plan. Stark won't rest until he finds a way to get the boy back. He searches far and wide, sends the cloak to survey from above, and both come back with the same conclusion.
The boy is not here.
...
Sing me a symphony, one for the lost and in between, city of fallen dreams, City of Angels.
'City of Angels'-Arrows to Athens
...
T'Challa knows something is different about his sister but it's something he cannot place his finger on. He holds onto his mother as she sobs her relief at their return, asking between her cries, that he protected his sister when she was taken with him.
He looks down to her sharply, eyes portraying his surprise, "Mother you must be confused, surely, Shuri was never with me in that place.", Queen Ramonda looks up to her son with wide eyes, "She was taken, my son, just as you were. Away with the breeze. You say you never saw her in that prison?"
The currant king shakes his head, "No mother, I give my word, had I seen her she would have never left my side.", she nods into his chest, hugging him closer again, but their minds wander to the matter of their youngest family member, the young princess that had been so quiet since her return.
Though he wishes to inquire on the matter more, perhaps ask the source directly, his thoughts and his attention is diverted to the restoration of their great country and his people's wellbeing. The rebuilding takes over every aspect and she's there with him as they do, as she ever is, and he worries less than perhaps he should allow himself to, and with his lowering concern his attention turns away from her more and more.
And he misses the flashes of red and blue that seem to come from her fingers.
...
And it all comes back to this- It was an ordinary moment; Tore the sky and cut us open. And now I cannot forgive or forget what we have done- The silence has become the end of us.
'The Silence'- Arrows To Athens
...
They had been taken.
That much was true, just as the others had, in a gentle breeze they'd disappeared in a small cloud of dust, leaving behind family and friends who had no way of knowing if they were alright or not. They had never met before in life, and after having spent so much time talking afterwards, they were sure they would have been the best of friends.
"Shuri?", Peter called out to his new found friend, peering around in similar fashion that she was, "Do you have any idea where we are?"
"Not a clue, spider friend."
They were in a kaleidoscope of colors, the place was beautiful, wherever the place was, and whatever title it held, it was beautiful. Normally Peter shied away from such colorful extremes because it made his head hurt and his eyes ache, but this glow was softer then he'd ever seen before.
"Do you think we died?", Shuri asked from his left shoulder, and he shrugged, not knowing how to answer that question without bursting into tears. She seemed to understand enough, and took a shaking breath to keep her own sorrow locked away.
'CHILDREN,' the sound of a new voice made them jump in surprise, 'COME WITH ME CHILDREN.', A woman appeared before them, some feet away, her hair and eyes and skin varying shades of orange. Everything about her was a shade of orange. Her mouth made no movements but her soft tinkling voice echoed around them. 'COME. YOU ARE SAFE WITH ME.'
They exchanged cautious looks, but having no one else to tell them otherwise, inevitably followed after the strange woman.
'THE OTHERS WANT TO MEET YOU TOO.'
"Others?" Shuri asked softly, not wanting to make the strange orange woman angry at them for overstepping despite the natural curiosity that came with their youth. The woman smiled nonetheless, and nodded, her hair floating to its own unnatural gravity, 'THE OTHERS, CHILD. WE CALLED YOU HERE WITH US.'
"Where is here?", Peter was just as curious as his new friend was, and peered up at the orange lady with wide eyes, she smiled down at him too, 'WE CALL IT THE VOID. WHERE WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN POWER. WHERE WE CAN BE ONE AGAIN IF ONLY FOR A TIME.'
She led them through an archway, into a magnificent garden of different colored and shaded gems. Her orange, flowing, dress danced around her soft orange ankles. They followed after her in stunned silence, trying to take in everything they could. At the center of the odd garden was more people, of varying color; Blue, Red, Green, Purple, and Yellow.
Peter stopped dead in his tracks, staring at the green man, "You're...You're like Doctor Strange!", the green man smiled at him (perhaps not exactly like the doctor then because Peter was sure he didn't know how to smile) and nodded slightly, 'YES AND NO LITTLE ONE. I TAKE THIS FORM BECAUSE IT IS ONE YOU RECOGNIZE. WE ARE NOT BEINGS, NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE, WE TAKE THESE FORMS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU.'
Peter and Shuri fell silent then, staring at them in surprise and confusion, the beings stared back, smiling at them, like adults do to young children who did something right (even if they know not what exactly that right thing was) and let not another word escape them until their visitors are ready.
Before them the purple man motioned towards the benches, 'WHY DO YOU NOT SIT, LITTLE ONES, WE HAVE MUCH TO TALK ABOUT.', and sit they did.
...
We are all against the wall, won't be the ones that time forgot. If it's our fate, we're not afraid, yeah, we could face the firing squad.
'Firing Squad' - Arrows To Athens
...
Something about Peter, spiderchild, Underoos, has changed and Tony loathes to admit that he does not know what it is. May Parker shared his concerns in secret, coming to him from over the phone and in person, during the nights after a day of rebuilding, sharing her own worries and discoveries.
"He wasn't there."
Tony turns to look at the worn and tired woman, her eyes stare ahead, refusing to meet his gaze. It is near impossible to get the boy to talk about his experience, about what happened when he was taken, with nearly everyone or anyone who asked.
"What do you mean?"
"He told me that he wasn't there. With the others. And that's all he told me."
All but one.
King T'Challa reported back just as much in regards to that lone star.
They played it off as a trick of the light, as though they didn't see anything out of the ordinary, but it was hard to play off the things they'd seen the boy do. The anger that could flash in his eyes at a moment's notice that was so out of his character was more alarming than any other odd occurrence that came from him. His focus was uncanny, he'd focus on a point, and they'd come back and find said point gone or whole.
Peter Parker was not the same boy that had been 'beamed up' on that fateful day.
...
I hope that fate will forgive us for tempting the sea. I hope that they won't forget us- But we cannot go back to the way it used to be.
'Used to Be' - Arrows To Athens
...
'AT THE BEGINNING THERE WAS ONLY ONE. WE WERE ONE BEING. WE CALLED OURSELVES NEMESIS. WE GREW TIRED, ALONE, AND WILLED OURSELVES TO SHATTER. NEVER THINKING OF THE CONSEQUENCES THAT MY COME FROM SUCH AN INNOCENT ACT.' The Yellow man, Mind, explained their history, where they came from and what they are. Peter and Shuri hung on to every word they gave as they spoke about their past and future.
They sat gathered in the magnificent garden, surrounded by the cosmic beings on all sides, and took in the knowledge with silence and complete understanding. Peter raised his hand at their wrap up, in question, and the purple man (Power he called himself) nodded for him to ask his inquiry openly, "But why did you pull us here when the others were taken within the Soul Stone?", the orange woman shifted uncomfortably at the the thought, and the Green man set a hand on her shoulder, Power smiled at his question as did the rest of them, 'WE NEED TO BE WHOLE AGAIN, LITTLE ONE, AND NEEDED TO FIND THE VESSEL WE KNEW WOULD NOT ABUSE THE GIFTS WE GIVE. YOU, LITTLE SPIDER, WANT NOTHING MORE THEN TO PROTECT YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.', and then he nodded to Shuri, 'AND YOU, LITTLE PRINCESS, WANT NOTHING MORE THEN TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND PEOPLE. WE HAVE SEARCHED LONG FOR THE PERFECT ONES TO COME ALONG AND WE HAVE FINALLY FOUND THEM. OUR SEARCH AND WAIT NOT IN VAIN.'
The Blue man, Space as he called himself, nodded in time with his companion, 'THE TITAN HAS ABUSED US. HE HAS UNDERMINED OUR PURPOSE. WE ARE LIFE AND DEATH, YES, BUT EVERYTHING HAS A NATURAL PROCESS. WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE THE CONTINUED DESTRUCTION OF OUR CREATION. BUT WE ARE POWERLESS WHILST IN THIS STONE FORM WE TAKE NOW.' he looked between them both, it was a lot to ask of two little ones, barely a spec in their limitless age, but there was no other way. Peter and Shuri exchanged looks again, thinking and conversing through one single action, the repercussions that such an action could have for them. They loved their friends, their family, their people, but to the extent of the price this deed was asking for.
'WE WOULD NEVER DO SO WITHOUT ASKING FIRST OF COURSE, THOUGH TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE, I LOATH TO FORCE YOU TO MAKE SUCH A DECISION IN THIS MANNER BUT ALAS IS THE BURDEN OF THE WAR WE FIND OURSELVES IN.'
"What will happen to you guys?", Shuri turned in question, "And what would happen to us?"
Mind smiled at them both, a gentle smile, and it made a warmth unlike one they ever felt before spread through them at the sight of it, 'WE WOULD BECOME ONE WITH YOU. THESE FORMS ARE MERE PROJECTIONS MADE BY YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS. WE ARE MADE OF PURE LIGHT AND PURE ENERGY. WE WOULD REPLACE WHAT YOU WOULD CALL A SOUL, AS ONE, WE WOULD BE YOU AND YOU WOULD BE US.' Soul, the orange woman, leaned towards them, 'YOU WOULD LIVE FOREVER UNFORTUNATELY, ONCE YOUR TIME TO PASS INTO THE AFTER COMES, YOU WOULD COME BACK TO US. NOT SEEN BUT NEVER GONE FROM THE UNIVERSE.'
...
We believed that keeping quiet was the only way to find- Innocence to get us back to who we were before that night, yeah.
'The Silence' - Arrows To Athens
...
"What have you two done?", Peter and Shuri looked away from the video they had been watching, pausing it before they missed too much, to meet the stern gaze of Stephen Strange. His arms were crossed in the universal adult language that he was not thrilled with an action they'd taken. They exchanged quick looks, "No. Do not attempt to lie. The truth, if you please.", and deflated.
Peter couldn't look him in the eye, fiddling with the edge of his sleeve, not that they were close as close could be, but after the who dying and resurrection schtick the two of them and Doctor Stephen Strange (Wizard) had grown to form some sort of odd, familial not familial relationship. Shuri nudged his shoulder as if sensing his nerves.
"We did what we had to do, Doctor."
"Who are you?" His gaze focused on her now and she fumbled under its intensity, "What is your name?"
"My name is Shu--"
"No.", his cut off was sharp, and he sliced a shaking hand through the air, before it resumed its crossed position over his chest, "Your name?"
Peter looked up then, "Nemesis. We are Nemesis.", and flinched at the inhale of breath the doctor gave. He had come to expect such an answer, after him and Wong had done the research that they had, but still hearing it out loud was enough to make him want to curse, "Why would you two do something so reckless?"
"There was no other way."
"Of course there was!"
"Doctor Strange.", he fell silent, they only ever called him by his actual name when it was important, they looked up at him sadly, "There wasn't.", he bit his lip, taking a deep breath to calm his frayed nerves. They were so young, their entire lives ahead of them, and now there is something endless to look forward to. There was no use getting angry over it now, there was no taking the deed back, "Doctor Strange you said you'd let me and Tony die-"
"I was wrong. I was....Lying. I wouldn't have let you die if there was another way.", he stood again, running his hands through his hair in a semblance of some nervous tick. Peter swallowed and looked him in the eye, the connection unbreakable, "I would have let myself die. For Tony and May. For Shuri. For you. If it meant that everyone would have been okay.", the boy's heart was in the right place, the world was lucky to have him back in it, and Strange could do little more than nod.
"Will you show me?"
That question hung in the air for a long moment, as the teens seemed to debate through silent signals and minute eye movements, before breaking apart. They didn't nod nor speak any word of affirmation, they just reached for him.
And he let them grab his shaking hands.
...
You've better hold your ground. The end is starting now. So load your gun, a war is coming.
'Firing Squad' - Arrows To Athens
...
"But what happens if we can't do it?", Peter was nervous, he was clenching and playing with his fingers as children do when nerves over takes them, it was nothing short of what was to be expected from him of course, of his friend, this was a decision that many others would turn away in a heartbeat, "What if you are wrong?"
Green Strange stepped forward (he said to think of him as Time but he wore Strange's face so there was no other name that came to mind other then his) and set his hand on his shoulder, Peter looked up at him at the gentle touch, 'WE ARE NEVER WRONG LITTLE ONE. WE WOULD NOT HAVE PULLED YOU THROUGH TO US HAD WE DOUBTED. WE CANNOT AFFORD SUCH THINGS.', Shuri tugged Peter back, "And Thanos? That was a right decision?", Green Strange looked saddened at the jab, 'IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE ARE PROUD OF, NO, BUT IN THIS FORM, THERE IS LITTLE WE CAN DO TO STOP THESE THINGS FROM HAPPENING. HE MISTAKES US FOR SIMPLE BEINGS, OBJECTS TO BE USED, BUT WE ARE SO MUCH MORE.'
Peter whispered something to his friend, and Green Strange turned away to allow them their privacy. Soul grimaced slightly, stumbling over her feet, and narrowly missed collapsing all together. Something big was happening, the place was shaking, it was shattering, something big was happening and the decision needed to be made fast.
"Ok.", the two said simultaniously, "What do we have to do?"
The Six Cosmic Beings smiled at them proudly, in knowing their choice was not a wrong one and that they were truly as selfless as they had assumed they'd be in the end of all things, they ushered them closer to the pond in the middle of the garden. Shuri gasped, tugging on Peter's arm until the spider boy turned to look, there in the pool they could see their friends and family, and then some they didn't know.
Their glowing intensified, until it was nearly blinding, and still the teenagers turned to look at them.
'TAKE OUR HANDS CHILDREN.', as if getting ready to hoorah, they all put a glowing colorful hand in the center, above the pond of human and creature souls alike. Peter and Shuri gave each other one last look, and reached out with their own, pale and boring in contrast to the colors they grabbed for. Six pairs of hands reached for theirs, and the power intensified, until it hurt. Peter's senses overtook him, and it took him a moment to realize that the echoing scream was coming from his own mouth, it was his own making. 'WE ARE TRULY HONORED LITTLE ONES. TO BE ONE WITH YOU. MAY INFINITY BE YOURS. OURS. FOREVER.' the burning hurt, it felt as though their arms, their bodies, inside and out, were melting by shere intensity alone. Their skin cracked, as they watched through hazed and clouded eyes, it cracked as though made from clay.
Like the ground as lava carves its path through it.
The light got brighter and brighter with every passing moment, until there was nothing, nothing but white. Peter opened his eyes slowly, his entire self ached, and beside him Shuri groaned. He blinked once, then twice, and looked over to his friend in case she needed his help. They were both kneeling now, before the pond that contained their friends and others, and he met her gaze.
Her eyes were breathtaking.
A kaleidoscope of colors; orange, blue, green, purple, and red.
"Your eyes!"
"Your eyes!"
The garden was empty now, save for them, and they felt completely alone. But they still had a job to do. And they stood, shaking at first, to steady feet. Peter held his hand out for his friend, and Shuri examined it closely for a minute, "Together?"
"Together."
And they jumped into the pond.
...
You do your best not to notice- The crumbling ground beneath your feet. The rest of life is waiting for us, But what we've done will never leave.
'The Waiting' - Arrows To Athens
...
Stephen gasped as they were brought back to the present, and in a fleeting moment, he saw the same kaleidoscope eyes that he'd witnessed in the memory. The moment passed quickly and the color returned to a neutral norm. Peter fiddled with the edge of his shirt again, nervous for his reaction, and Shuri stared at him with a hopeful expression.
There were a number of emotions running through him; anger, hope, elation, relief, sadness.
Regret.
They'd traded mortality for the world to live on. A curse he'd wish on no soul. And they took it willingly.
"Please....Say something?...."
"Thank you."
What else was there to say, nothing could come to the debt that was owed to such young souls, and there was nothing that could be offered in return for the price they paid. Shuri gave a soft giggle, a bit watery, and hugged herself. Peter curled a comforting arm around her shoulders. The cloak ruffled over his own shoulders, creeping up, and curled around the teenagers in the offer of any comfort it could provide.
"Doctor Strange?", he hummed as he tried to wrap his mind around the new knowledge even still, "Please, do not tell the others.", he looked up at them, their wide frightened eyes, and the cloak that tried to appear as threatening as it could towards its oldest friend,"You have my word.", they scooted apart at his beckoning, not acknowledging the fingers that curled around his wrists as he did, "Did I ever tell you how I found out about magic?"
They shook their heads, eyes wide in excitement and curiosity, looking up at him expectantly as he began the tale.
There was no going back now, what was done is done, no taking it back. Now was the moment to move forward, to start over, and start new.
...
In order to rise from it's own ashes, A phoenix first must burn.
- Octavia Butler